Sbc Yahoo Dsl ripoff Urbana Champaign Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

Hi, I am so frustrated with this company and the fact that they tried to rip me off twice after assuring me that it would not happen again that I thought it best to report this online.

I ordered sbc yahoo dsl in march 2003 and told them that the 12 month contract was not a good option for me as I would be ending my lease in june and spending 3 months abroad. The customer representative assured me that I would not be charged an early cancellation fee of 250 in the event that I moved overseas. Their clause states that if you move to a location where sbc yahoo dsl is not available, you are not charged this fee.

However, I was met with this charge when I got back to the US. It took lengthy negotiations and talking to 4 or 5 different customer reps before they waived my fee. the fact that I had been overseas did not apply, however and I was only able to get this fee recredited to my account when I decided to reorder sbc yahoo dsl.

They again assured me that this would not happen again.
I used the service for exactly 12 months. I had started on August 20/03 but had to end the service on the 10th of august/04 as my lease ended and I moved to a different state-(NC) where their services are not available. Meanwhile, I had set up automatic payment from my checking account. Again, they charged me the early cancellation fee on the grounds that I had cancelled 10 days earlier. I argued with them that had I known, I would have opted to pay for 10 more days rather than pay a penalty of 250$.

Worse was the fact that they debited from a local account I was intending to close off. The account went under zero and I ended up paying penalties for that. Add to that the shock of getting this penalty fee. I also stated that NC was not a state where their services were available. They argued with me on this as well. Again, it took several customer reps for me to get my point across, after which they consented to send me a check for this fee. That does not however solve the problem that my account went under zero. Moreover, this all happened at a time when I am not getting payed for 2 months. Even if they recredit the account, it will take them up to a month to recredit my account.

Nobody warned me about this penalty fee. on the contrary, when I asked them several times to make sure that my account would be closed and that I would not be paying any more fees, there was no mention of this fee.

It is obvious to me that they were hoping that I would somehow make the mistake of cancelling just 10 days ahead of time and that they would end up charging me the penalty fee-which is worth another 8 months of dsl services!!! For this purpose, they consciously witheld info from me. Moreover, had I not pointed out the clause that states that a customer is not liable for this fee if she or he moves to a state where their services are not available, I would have ended up paying this fee. Not only did they NOT inform me about this clause but they also argued with me on this account, stating that their services were available in SOME parts of NC (though not in Durham-which is where I am located).

I am apalled at this systematic procedure of ripping people off. As a statistics major and phd student, it does not take much intellect to figure out that they are hoping to gain extra profit through people's lack of information and their mistakes (as cancelling 10 days ahead of time). Witholding info and purposefully misleading are all against free market economy which is what a company like sbc is supposed to uphold.
Customers beware-DO NOT FALL INTO THE SAME TRAP. IN FACT I WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO CHOOSE SBC YAHOO DSL!!!!

Nazli
durham, North Carolina
U.S.A.

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EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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