Packet 8 - 8x8 Inc. Charged me $0.05 a minute for 'free' 800 calls Internet

We used Packet 8 because they had an unlimited call with no charge. You can call any number in the US and Canada for no charge. Slightly higher to Europe and Asia.

We had two physical lines and two virtual lines. When we lost our house, we asked that they remove a physical and virtual number from our account, which they said they did. They ALSO changed my 'package' to one that had limited phone time, plus a 'cost/minute', on long distance. This was never advised to us, so we didn't worry about it, since it would drop our bill by 50% from $75 to about 35. Next bill was ok (July or August), when the bill came after that it was back to the 60-80 range. I spoke to them and was advised that it was wrong and it would be credited back to us. Next month it was again the same, more discussion and 'we will apply the difference to your account.

Now we get a bill in the $80's and come to find out that we had a 500 minute limit (we use less than 500 consistently). We told her something was wrong, she said to check the phone logs. Who would check, when it is of no cost. Finally she wouldn't budge and we looked at the log. about 90% were 800 numbers that my heart equipment uses to upload my daily heart activity to my doctors. Their systems were charging us for a 'toll free' number at 5 cents a minute. I told her it was toll free, she said it didn't matter. One of the times my download of my heart strip, took 4 hours. This is some kind of technical problem. They assure me, it's my ISP.

I need to have a diagnostic system to watch my heart, but it requires a telephone for data transfer.

Can they really charge for a 'toll free' number? The people at other phone companies have been 'uncomfortable' with that decision. I will not be able to continue with this kind of charges. We have (will) drop this company!

Buyer beware of Packet 8. They lied to us, withheld funds, didn't follow up on what they told us and changed the 'package' as they continued to deceive us.

Jack
Superior, Montana
U.S.A.