SECURUS TECH SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES Securus Correctional Phone Billing = White Collar Crime Dallas, Texas

I have experienced the same thing with Securus. They initially were charging me $27 for a 20-minute phone call, until I figured out how to get a local number, and now I pay just under $5 per call. In the past two weeks I have been REPEATEDLY disconnected by Securus for no reason, and each time they charge me for the total allotment of 20 minutes, even though I may have gotten cut off after 1 minute. Their policy is that they don't refund any $ for cell phone users - which of course most people are. They say that cell phone carriers sometimes have dropped calls, so they aren't responsible for that, and if you use a landline they will issue refunds. But the problem with that is that the calls are disconnected BY SECURUS, and you can tell this because you hear a short recording just before you are disconnected that says "this call is being terminated, no third party calls allowed." I asked them about that and they gave me the list of reasons that calls are terminated, but NONE of those things applied. She said that no matter what the reason for the disconnect is, if any interference is detected, that's the default recording that is used. Either way, it's Securus who is terminating the call, and they should not be able to charge for something they haven't provided. Even if one of us just hung up, they shouldn't be able to charge for minutes that were not used.

They are getting away with this because they can. 

Securus pays a fee to the jail administrator in order to get the contract - up to 40%. Those fees are passed along to the consumer, which is why the prices are through the roof. They are only interested in profits - not quality of service, not keeping inmates in touch with their families, and certainly not customer service. Their reps are rude and totally unhelpful. When I do stay connected, often times the line is full of static and we can barely hear eachother.

The facility where my brother is recently did away with in person visits, and went to video visitation only. No surprise that Securus provides the equipment and video service. I scheduled two video visits in the past two days, neither one of which worked. I paid for two 25-minute video visits, and got nothing. They are saying there are no refunds.

Securus claims that their technology saves lives and that's why it's worth the money they charge. This is total nonsense. The "technology" is simply that they record all calls - which is a service you can get by downloading any one of dozens of free apps on your phone. Besides, if they are counting on the quality of their recordings to capture criminals who are planning crimes or making confessions - they really should ensure that they provide a clear and stable connection - i would really like to see the FACTS backing up their claims.

The FCC's ruling that caps the amount that can be charged for long distance fees goes into effect February 11th. Securus tried to appeal the ruling, but was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the ruling does not address their refund policy, and also does not address what they can charge for local calls - but it's a start.

There are clearly hundreds of customers who have been ripped off by Securus, and the only way they are going to stop their aggressive tactics is if a class action lawsuit is filed. I am beginning a campaign to find other Securus customers who have been affected. 

To be included, please email ClassActionSecurus@gmail.com

While you won't be able to do anything about the overall high cost of these calls, I would suggest filling out an on-line complaint with the FCC concerning the dropped call. Of course, reach out to Securus via e-mail and address the issue with them first so you have the documentation of their failure to adjust your bill. I am going thru that right now. However, in my case they charged me for a full fifteen minute call when we were disconnected after the connection was made for a less than two minute call. We also have at least one or two interruptions from Securus coming on saying "no third party calls are allowed" when we are clearly not doing anything other than talking to each other. Also, since I filed the complaint I've noticed they've been blatantly letting us know we are receiving more attention via the monitoring of our calls by clicking on and off our calls.

Anyway, I've been doing this for over five years and yeah, it's highway robbery. I don't know how they get away with it but I have taken the stance I will fight where I believe it is feasible for me to do so. Pick your battles but definitely file an FCC complaint so there is a legal record and they have to respond to it. Also, if there is ever a class action lawsuit someone doing research has the ability to retrieve your info and contact you. Good luck.