UKI Communications - I was slammed and scammed

Beware of these people!

They lease their lines from Qwest Communications (who cannot help with this problem). I was slammed in September and received a bill for $147.42! (average: $.50/minute!) I called Verizon (my actual carrier) and they said they would return the bill unpaid to UKI as "disputed by customer". UKI can choose to take me to collections and even, I have been told, put a negative item on my credit report!

Am I mad? You bet! I actually reached UKI and they played me a recording of my husband "agreeing" to change long distance carriers! My husband's version of the phone call is far different from the "recorded" version. He says the telemarketer asked him if he was "interested in receiving information on how his long distance phone charges could be reduced." They verified his name, address and phone, then, when they asked him if he was authorizing a change of carriers, he replied "No, my wife takes care of the phone bill." Then, they asked him if he just wanted to receive the envelope, to which he responded "Oh, okay." You can figure out what happened from there. A quick "splice" on the recording and -- voila! Instant agreement.

He was never informed that he was being recorded and, oh, by the way, the phone bill is in MY NAME. According to the PUC, it doesn't matter whose name the bill is in, ANYONE can answer your phone and authorize ANYTHING and YOU will be responsible for payment. How's THAT for consumer protection?! Unless I want to sue these people for fraud (who has time for that?) I have to pay the bill to protect my credit.

So, how do you protect yourself?

First: Call your long distance phone carrier and FREEZE your carrier selection. To change carriers in the future, you'll need to provide your request IN WRITING.

Second: NEVER say "YES" on the phone to ANY telemarketers. They can use the information to their advantage and SCREW you.

Third: Spread the word about UKI to everyone you know. We'll put these bastards out of business yet.

Bottom line? These people make their livings scamming innocent people out of honest money. Not surprisingly, their a Nevada Corporation.