So, I got a call billed to my account “on behalf of Nationwide Connections, Inc.”. Listing the phone number 1-800-944-9646, and the web page www.oanweb.com. They claim that we got a 4-minute collect call, on November 7th, at 11:08 AM. We didn’t; our caller ID log shows no calls at all on November 7th, not even “OUT OF AREA”.
OANWEB ripoffs are apparently not unheard of.
What’s interesting is the apparent difficulty of contesting charges. Qwest says they are forwarding this bill “as a service to OAN services inc”, but OAN services, who are (from their page) obviously not any kind of long distance company, but rather, a small-time financial scam organization of some sort, are probably just ripping people off by bits and pieces here and there.
I’ll see whether I can make any progress on this.
Comments [archived]
From: seebs_lawyer
Date: 2004-12-11 09:56:15 -0600
It’s OAN services at oanservices.com.
They are the front end for all sorts of slammers.
Hand ’em over the the FCC and the AG.
From: linsee
Date: 2004-12-13 10:38:45 -0600
Maybe the next time Qwest CEO Dick Notebaert comes in to talk to the newspaper, I should ask him? It worked the last time Qwest took months to fail to solve a service problem.
–seebs’ mom
From: Brent Filler
Date: 2004-12-13 13:36:18 -0600
Got a bill from OANWEB / Nationwide Connections today - same deal: 4 minute bogus collect call. I will forward to the state AG and others.
From: seebs
Date: 2004-12-13 18:04:05 -0600
I called them, at 800-944-9646, and they said they’d dispute the charge and reverse it. I think I have the conversation taped, although, when I went downstairs, the tape recorder was off again. Dunno what happened.
Anyway, they said that OANWEB.COM really is them, although I think the woman I spoke to was not paying close attention. I told her I was home and would have noticed the phone ringing, and that our caller ID log showed no calls at all on November 7th, but she said “since you say there was no one home to accept the call, we will mark that you dispute the charge, and a reversed charge should show up on your phone bill within one or two months”.
Needless to say, I’m not entirely optimistic.
From: Byron Swanson
Date: 2004-12-15 20:33:48 -0600
I just received a charge from OAN Services for $5.26, for a collect call from Pierce, Idaho!
Looks like a scam and a fraud. Why aren’t these people in jail?
Copies to the Washington PUC and etc.
From: Larry Ausink
Date: 2004-12-15 20:54:49 -0600
Got my Qwest bill today replete with charges of $4.75 from OANWEB NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS (800-944-9646) for an alleged collect call from Portland to Yakima. The phone call was allegedly made from 503-251-9705. No such collect call was ever accepted and no such collect call was ever even received. I have worked in the legal profession for 30 years and I will not hesitate to bring this matter to the attention of the local prosecuting attorney and the WA. State Attorney General.
From: seebs
Date: 2004-12-16 06:27:26 -0600
Interesting to note that many people are seeing this!
I am told that Qwest is probably legally obliged to pass the charges on… The thing to do is make FCC complaints until the FCC yanks the licensing that gives these people the power to send on “real” phone bills.
The FCC has a complaint form you can fill out online. I did. If enough other people do, the FCC may start looking more closely at OAN, OANWEB, OANSERVICES, OAN Services, or whatever they want to call themselves, or perhaps more specifically at Nationwide Connections, who appear to be the underlying agency.
My understanding is that OAN is a big front-end firm that does billing for a lot of places, some of which may be, through sheer coincidence, legitimate.
From: Barry W
Date: 2004-12-16 22:45:16 -0600
Same thing happen yesterday got my SBC bill with a collect call from California to Houston I called OAN today and they said they would refund the charge on my bill. I hope they do!
From: Marc K
Date: 2004-12-17 12:53:42 -0600
My elderly dad just called me with the same complaint. I found this site telling me it was a scam. Thanks everyone and I follow the above advise to hopefully nail these bastards!
From: Dave W
Date: 2004-12-19 02:59:42 -0600
I just recieved my bill today and can’t call to dispute until monday. Found this site while trying to figure out what the charge was because we had never heard of them. Thanks for the great advise above and I’ll be contacting my JAG office too.
From: Brent Filler
Date: 2004-12-20 17:17:04 -0600
Update: I received a response to my complaint to the FCC. The FCC says that the correct agency to complain to is the FTC. You can go to www.ftc.gov if you would like to complain.
This form of fraud is known as “cramming”.
From: Steve
Date: 2004-12-25 01:27:07 -0600
Nice to see i’m not the only one who got screwed. This OAN / Nationwide Connections thing seems common. I got a “collect” call from Spokane, WA supposedly on 11/5/04 for $6.25. Qwest of course will do nothing. i’ve already complained with the FTC and the BBB will do nothing without contact info (address, etc.) Hope these idiots get what’s coming to ’em. I’ll be first in line with the wrench :-)
From: Jim
Date: 2004-12-27 13:29:28 -0600
Got scammed too I’m going to the www.ftc.gov to get these people screwed. By the way the Qwest rep I spoke with said they never heard of a scam with this company–ha!
From: Bradd
Date: 2004-12-28 04:16:54 -0600
Apparently, OAN has gotten in trouble for this before. The earliest mention of them I found was as a billing company for some 900# and modem-hijacking scammers:
http://www.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2001/06/11/phonescam.html
That story didn’t blame OAN for the problem, but eventually some folks realized that OAN does business with very bad customers. In 2001, the California PUC sued some phone scammers, later adding OAN and some other billing companies to the suit:
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/proceedings/I9808004.htm
The courts eventually vacated OAN from the case. Around the same time, OAN went bankrupt, and a rival company bought them out:
http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2001/05/28/daily18.html
However, the new owners apparently aren’t any better. In fact, Verizon recently suspended billing for USA Voicemail, one of OAN’s sibling companies:
http://www.nbc10.com/consumeralert/3888234/detail.html
This company has been up to no good for a long time.
From: Voneta
Date: 2005-01-03 17:51:14 -0600
The following was an exerpt from a letter I sent to my local telephone service concerning charges from OAN SERVICES (These people need to be STOPPED!):
As for the OAN Services that charged me $20.55 for email svc: I DO NOT AND NEVER HAVE HAD EMAIL SERVICES from anyone other than AOL! I don’t have any idea where that came from and want it removed immediately. I don’t want these scammers, both OAN SERVICES AND APDI putting erroneous charges on my Sprint bill. It’s causing me much duress, a lot of ’time’ I don’t have to straighten it all out, and certainly causing me to question as to why you would allow such tactics when indeed in so doing you would start losing a lot of customers! There are letters all over the Internet about OAN SERVICES, warning people that they are the biggest SCAMMERS and there are countless testimonials of what they’ve illegally gotten away with. I have tried to call (for a total of 19 hours) to contact them by phone 800-713-9078 to no avail! I either get a fast busy curcuit signal or a recording that puts me on hold 20 to 30 minutes at a time. I don’t have time NOR should I be asked to take the time to try and track these thieves down. I’ve tried. Now it’s your turn. Please remove this charge from my bill in its totally. Hopefully this will be the last I’ll have to deal with such nonsense. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
vegas von<br />
From: billd
Date: 2005-01-05 15:16:11 -0600
With the help of a Quest operator who called the 800-944-9646 number for me and made a 3 way conference call, I received assurances from an operator named “Patty” at Nationwide Connections, INC that the spurious $5.25 collect call would be reversed. It was a call from CAMPBELL CA and the number was disconnected when I called ystdy. Quest was interested in any Quest customer with similar problems so I would urge all of you to call 800-603-6000 and select the “billing” option and ask for a “mechanized adjustment” to their bill. Also, it may help to mention this website.
W
From: Sean Reifschneider
Date: 2005-01-05 18:01:11 -0600
We also got one of these on one of our phone numbers, $6.25 for 5 minutes. I’ll submit it to the FTC and also I guess I’ll call about it. Perhaps there are enough people involved to make a class action lawsuit worthwhile? It sucks that so many people have to waste their time tracking this down, I sure have better things to do with my time.
Sean
From: francis hutto
Date: 2005-01-06 15:49:24 -0600
I just received my Qwest bill and had a $5.99 charge from OAN for a directory assistance call which I never heard of! I looked OAN up on the internet and discovered that OAN has been scamming people all over! I don’t know how it is that OAN can have Qwest bill people for false charges!
I then called OAN and they agreed to issue a credit. Then I called Qwest and informed them that I am not going to pay the $5.99 + $0.40 tax. The Qwest person agreed to make a note on my record that this is what I intend to do.
Francis
From: Rob Hill
Date: 2005-01-10 21:07:43 -0600
Looked on our phone bill today: a $4.75 collect call charge billed on behalf of “Nationwide Connections, Inc.” Called OAN, got a promise that it would be refunded in two months to our phone bill. Yeah, right.
Oily bastards. I’m calling Qwest, then submitting an FTC complaint.
From: nell
Date: 2005-01-14 07:48:10 -0600
i have ask oan services to please take there self off my phone bill three times the phone number thay arecharging to is 903 598 2396.please see thy do this i did not ask for this to be charge to my number. nell jones at njones@hotjjo.net
From: mary
Date: 2005-01-16 00:43:06 -0600
I’ve a 14.95 monthly charge on my phone bill for 3 months now. I haven’t had time to mess with this, I have to work. It is for email svcfee. I tryed to call oan services about it once, (800-944-9646) but it was after “office hours” I have told the phone co. (century tel) that I will not pay this and now my phone is going to be shut off as a result. I have complained to FCC and going to FTC also. I feel very insecure knowing that anyone can bill you through you telephone co. and shut down your phone/internet if you don’t pay them. Would love to see a lawsuit over this!
From: Phil
Date: 2005-01-18 19:09:50 -0600
I have had to call Verizon each of the last three months, including today, about an invalid charge of $9.00 plus $.27 tax on behalf of OAN Services, Inc. who is allegedly billing on behalf of AT&E, Inc. Verizon each time has agreed to credit my bill and let OAN know that this is an unauthorized charge. Even though Verizon’s credit does appear the following month, a new OAN charge appears. Today, after talking to the Verizon customer rep, I called the OAN number 800-944-9646 and finally reached a customer service rep after a twenty minute wait on hold while some awful background music (some of the time it was disgusting rap trash) played, interrupted every 75 seconds by a male voice telling me to “…not hangup, your call will be answered shortly.” The rep said they wouldn’t be billing it if it had not been authorized but I assured her it had not been. She said all she could do was note on the file that my local phone company was giving me credit and that I was disputing the charge. I asked for the AT&E number and she gave me 866-807-5635 which I called at 4:27 PM and got an answering machine telling me they closed at 4:30 PM Pacific time and that I should leave a message and they would return my call. I left a message noting that it was not yet 4:30 PM but that I wanted them to call me and left my phone number.
We’ll see how this turns out. Sounds like a scam to me alright because there are lots and lots of businesses (probably even ordinary consumers) that don’t take time to comb through their bills each month. In this case, I’ll come out okay because this was the final bill for this particular number and Verizon said they were crediting my account. Those of you who need continuous service though, I sympathize with you! I too hope someone is able to nail these outfits to the wall!
From: Darren
Date: 2005-01-20 17:45:11 -0600
Hi. Got one of these as well. Here’s the funny bit - the call allegedly came from a country club in NY. Looking up this country club online (since I had no idea what this charge was at the time) I see they closed their doors for the winter - must be cold out there golfing in December. Guess they called me to try and warm up. :)
From: Sam
Date: 2005-01-24 16:45:05 -0600
just got 2 minutes collect call charge from them too on my bill, gonna call them up and dispute. :(
From: Sean Reifschneider
Date: 2005-01-25 15:31:56 -0600
Just to follow up on the message I posted on the 5th. I have called the “Nationwide Connections” and said that I definitely did not accept a collect call. HERE IS THE IMPORTANT PART: When you call them, ask them to perform an investigation. They were simply going to credit my account, and then I told them that many people on the net are being charged for calls they don’t make.
Unless you request that they do an investigation, it sounds like they don’t really care about the false charge.
I’D HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT ANYONE WHO CALLS NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS REQUEST THAT THEY DO AN INVESTIGATION.
It’s one of the few ways that we can be sure that the people making these charges be shut down.
I also filed a compltain at the FTC. It’s real easy – go to ftc.gov, and across the top of the page is a menu bar. One of those items is to submit a complaint. All you have to do is fill in the form and submit it.
Sean
From: mcoats
Date: 2005-02-06 09:18:02 -0600
got the same type charge file complaint to fcc
web site this is intersate fraud they will respound.
From: Bruce Lane
Date: 2005-02-20 12:42:31 -0600
Add me to the list of those who got “crammed” by these people. Phone calls to OAN and Qwest are in progress, and I will be filing an FTC complaint shortly. It was supposedly a “collect” call for $6.25 from Medford, OR (541-773-9335, which doesn’t exist) to my business line.
I’m also going to ask Qwest if there’s any way to block billing crap like this.
Keep the peace(es).
From: George Swall
Date: 2005-02-20 15:10:02 -0600
I got a billing through SBC for non existent directory assistance call billed “on behalf of” TELSEVE LLC or OAN Services Incorporated.
Off to the California attorney General, CPUC, FCC, FDA, and whoever else.
If the major telephone carriers are conspiring with the scammers, is there a RICO lawsuit here?
From: lou linderman
Date: 2005-02-20 23:11:27 -0600
what a scam, using my phone co. to cheat me? recieved my QWEST phone bill as of 13 feb 2005 contained therein was a charge by OAN for $ 6.60 . which i shall pursue as a fraud. the charge was for calling 555-1212 directory assistance. i didn’t call DA. interseting thing - OAN is collecting federal, state & local taxes upon a fraud. thank you for your website. ps if QWEST doesnt want to eat it, i’ll go cellular.
From: Sullivan
Date: 2005-02-21 19:20:17 -0600
OAN has done it to another one. These SOB’s need to be hung. Call FBI,FCC,your state Att General. We need to find someone with enough ethics to stop this.
Thank you.
From: Sullivan
Date: 2005-02-21 19:29:23 -0600
Your telephone company can block collect or third party calls. Ask them.
From: john
Date: 2005-02-24 19:36:53 -0600
We have collect calls blocked here, and we STILL got a bill from OAN / Nationwide Connections on our phone bill. We called to have it disputed, but I’ll bet many more just blindly pay. Ours was for 6.25 (6 minute collect call).
From: William
Date: 2005-02-25 10:01:41 -0600
Received the bill from SBC yesterday. Saw the OAN Service Inc charges for $5.41 on a collect call from CA. No one was at home and I couldn’t reach the OAN number listed on the bill. 1-800-926-6435. Call SBC and tell them that the number is always busy, and I called the collect number shown on my bill and it was not a working number. I asked the SBC to call OAN to dispute the charges and they were unable to reach them. SBC agrees to credit me the for $5.41. charge. I just don’t think, if I ever get in touch with OAN, that I will ever see the credit back.
This is a scam.
From: Tammi
Date: 2005-02-26 08:34:04 -0600
The same thing happened to me. A $6.25 collect call from Memphis at a time when no one was home. I called OAN and they answered immediately. They said they would dispute the charges and I would get a credit within 1-2 billing cycles. When I asked how I could prevent this from happening again, the operator offered to put a block on our phone number for any collect calls from their service. I asked for a reference number and they only gave me the operator’s name and number. I’ll let you know if I actually get the credit. I will also complain to the FTC.
From: Tammi
Date: 2005-02-26 08:41:49 -0600
I just went to the FCC site and they have a specific complaint form for “cramming”. It’s on this page http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html.
From: Beth
Date: 2005-03-01 14:45:29 -0600
Evidently this cramming is going on nationwide. My business phone bill showed a $7.00 charge today from a collect call from Utah. I contacted OAN and disputed the charge to which they said they would reverse charges but would take one to two billing cycles. I also contacted Verizon and they said I could contact them before sending the payment and they would make sure it was reversed. I also called both Nationwide Connections and OAN, and after much effort and perserverance I got both of their addresses:
Nationwide Connections, Inc.
800-944-9646
222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 160-157
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
OAN
800-926-7514
9255 Corbin Avenue
Northridge, CA 91325
I plan on writing letters of cease and desist and to file a complaint with the FTC.
I totally agree that this is wrong and given enough people overlook the charges, big bucks are being racked up in erroneous billing.
From: Sid Rage
Date: 2005-03-02 09:30:26 -0600
i used to work at NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, and let me tell ya something.. its not “mistake billing” they had a product that wasn’t even marketable… because it didnt work.. so they’d buy bulk contact info and just shoot out bills like a machine gun at people..
" you’ll get your money back in 2 to 3 billing cycles. " its such bull shit.. wanna know who the owner is? go google " Willoughby Farr " you’ll see the mess the man’s gotten him self into.. the funny thing is that no one has ever signed up for any of his companys.. yet the mans made millions.. its such a waste.. anyways.. good luck getting your money back..
From: kelley young
Date: 2005-03-04 13:38:12 -0600
How about this one: My mother got a charge on her phone bill today listed as OAN for GOOGLE ADVERTISING - $30 per month billed monthly. The first time she called OAN, they said she had signed up for it. The second time, they said they had sent her a “check” that she had cashed and cashing the check entitles them to bill monthly service. She never received any check of any sort, or any type of Google advertising anything (she doesn’t even own a computer) in the mail so clearly this was forged by them. I’ve read another person’s story who had their cat’s name forged by this company so I’m not surprised. I’m not sure what to do with this one - the blocking is only for long distance charges, not false charges for other services. Help!
From: Joy Biondi
Date: 2005-03-04 18:41:51 -0600
Qwest is lying!! I just called them today about a collect phone call charge from Las Vegas to Salem for $4.75 from “OAN” and the Rep said they hadn’t gotten any complaints about this company. I called both numbers listed for OAN and Nationwide Connections Inc. After two diconnections and no answer, I tried again and spoke to someone named “Geraldine, Ref #162” who said that I would be issued a credit on my next Qwest phone bill. She also offered a “block” for my phone number, whatever that means! Someone please stop these creeps!
From: Cynthia DuBose
Date: 2005-03-04 21:35:21 -0600
I also received a charge on my SBC bill from “OAN Services” today for $6.44, allegedly “billed on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Inc”. It is for a collect call which I allegedly accepted from 903-938-9808, in Marshall, TX. Needless to say I never accepted this call (or even got it, as far as I know – it was a daytime call when I was most likely at work).
I have filed a complaint with both the FTC and the FCC, and I will attempt to call them tomorrow, though it does not sound like it will do much good. By the way, the number I am supposed to call is 800-944-9646. It sounds like their “contact numbers” are all different.
I don’t really think this is “cramming” though – it sounds to me as if “cramming” is when your phone company attempts to charge you for services you have not signed up for. This is something different.
From: John Thompson
Date: 2005-03-08 16:27:33 -0600
I am a 74 yr old deaf man-how can I accept a collect phone call for 14 minutes in the amount of close to $9. Why doesn’t the government put these creeps behind bars. This is out right robbery. Imagine -deaf accepting a collect phone call from a hearing person
EVERYONE-LET’S SPEND A LITTLE TIME-TO PUT THESE
CREEPS BEHIND BARS. THEY ARE BANKING ON PEOPLE
JUST IGNORING A SMALL AMOUNT. NOT ME , I’LL TRY
MY BEST TO GET ALL OF THEM TIME IN PRISON.
WILL TOY HELP ME PUT THESE THIEVES AWAY
From: Kate Serge
Date: 2005-03-10 14:20:11 -0600
OAN Services, INC also known as Nationwide Connections, Inc is at it again. We just received a bill on our Qwest telephone bill from Nationwide Connections, Inc in the amount of $5.25 plus tax of $0.16 for a collect call that we did not receive.
The charge was obviously fraudulent, so here are a few steps to help others get OAN Services to credit the invalid charges.
- Call the telephone company that is charging you for the alleged service. For example, AT & T, MCI, Qwest, etc.
- Explain that the charge is fraudulent and that this company has a history of falsely charging for services that it does not provided.
- Write down the name of the person who will help you stop the charges.
- Ask that person to make a three person call to the Nationwide Connections, Inc to stop the charges.
- As soon as the person from Nationwide Connections, Inc answers the telephone have him give his name and operator number.
- Explain that the charges on your telephone bill from his company are fraudulent, and ask him to cancel the charges.
- Write down the time, date, person that you spoke to, and what the person said. Ask for the reference number that the person will use to document the credit to your account.
- Write down when the credit will be applied to your account.
- Ask for the Telephone Operator’s contact information so that you can get back to your telephone company (AT & T, MCI, Qwest, etc). This is important so that there is a record somewhere about your call.
- Mark you calendar and make sure that the credit is applied to your account.
- If the credit does not show up on your account within two months then contact your telephone company (AT & T, MCI, Qwest, etc) and explain what happened. Inform the person at your telephone company that you were told that the account would be credited. Be sure that they credit your account.
- Contact your Better Business Bureau, and post your experience to the Web.
Good luck!
From: Jeff Forbes
Date: 2005-03-11 06:53:30 -0600
The S.O.B.‘S got me too. There were two charges for 4.34$ each for directory assistance for Las Vegas at 12:20AM on Feb 5th, 2005, billed on behalf of TELESEVEN LLC. Also, there’s a 1.65$ USF CARRIERADMIN FEE as an added bonus. The thing that really burns my ass is that I think I paid similar charges on last months bill, it seemed unusually high but I paid it anyway without looking it over. It’s hard to imagine how many people (like me) have paid similar charges on their phone bills without being aware.
From: H. E. Clements
Date: 2005-03-11 09:20:12 -0600
EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO COMMENT; PLEASE LIST TOURSELF IN THIS SITE. THIS WILL HOPEFULLY CATCH THE EYE OF ONE WHO CAN AND WILL PUT A STOP TO THIS THEFT. IF ENOUGH OF US UNITES WE CAN STOP THIS —–THANK—-YOU—-
From: J. E. Harris
Date: 2005-03-12 19:02:08 -0600
Add me to the growing list. I have a residential line and a business line into my home and OAN charged a collect call to both my phones. In both cases, caller ID shows no such calls were received. I have filed a complaint with the FCC and will file one with the AZ AG and the BBB. WHAT ASSHOLES! Like none of us have anything better to do than waste time trying to get refunds from Qwest. And I agree with a previous post that Qwest should be held accountable for being a party to this sham.
From: daughter of OAN collect call scan
Date: 2005-03-13 06:07:27 -0600
My 79-year old mother got one of these cramming collect calls on her Verizon bill. (that she of course never received). She did recall answering the phone and nobody was there. I’m willing to bet that THIS was the call that triggered the charge, but of course no way to prove this.
ACI bought out OAN in 2001, I think. However, I also found where some telephone companies still list them as “OAN”.
I found this contact info on ACI:
ACI Billing Services Inc.
9255 Corbin Ave. Northridge, CA 91324
Phone: (818) 678-4626
Fax: (818) 709-1940
E-mail: jmerkt@acibilling.com
Web: www.acibilling.com
Contact: Jerry Merkt
BACK OFFICE SYSTEMS/OSS - Billing, Customer Care
There is a form on ACI’s website that you can use to submit complaint about your telephone bill. I don’t know if it works or not, but it does go through when you submit it and you can print a copy of it for your records.
My little blurb to them included cautioning them to examine their business practices and to take care of the collect call on my bill that I never received. I also told them that I would prefer that they handed this instead of forcing me to contact my attorney general and the FCC. We’ll see what kind of response that gets.
See this page to note that a representative of OAN Services is on the BOARD of SERB, the “responsible billing coalition”. What a joke.
http://www.cerb.org/directors.html
If you look on this page, you can see that ACI and OAN have the same address, confirming that they are one and the same entity:
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:xx_5jH7BTJkJ:www.x-changemag.com/articles/351supsys.html+818-709-1940&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Here is the direct link to report telephone bill complaint to ACI:
http://www.acibilling.com/phonebill.html
From: daughter of collect call scam victim again
Date: 2005-03-13 06:14:22 -0600
Oh, and go to the Better Business Bureau and do a company search for “OAN” and see what pops up. These people are lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut.
It will also confirm there that ACI billing is one and the same company and you will also see Nationwide Comm INC pulled up in the same search results. This gets deeper and deeper and I don’t know why the FCC doesn’t get on these people like ugly on an ape.
From: nate coutts
Date: 2005-03-13 06:45:48 -0600
I noticed 2 operator assistance calls on my bill and the billing name was oan servies never heard of them.I noticed the areacode was different and looked it up 702 is lasvegas dont know anyone there.i was reading the complaints here and found one with the same charges same number just different date.Billed1.1.65 usf carrier admin fee 4.34 for 2 calles .54tax total $6.53
From: daughter of OAN collect call scam victim
Date: 2005-03-13 08:52:46 -0600
Regarding my above post where I listed the link to report AON Services to the company that bought them out, ACI Billing company:
http://www.acibilling.com/phonebill.html
I have gotten a reply email back from them a couple of hours after I sent the email from their site. It said someone would contact me in a day or two. So evidently the link DOES get to someone somewhere (GOK where)
I called the number that the original collect call to my mother originated from , it was a truck stop called B & B in Lynn Indiana. Anybody else out there have any calls from this place? Their pay phone number is 765-874-9909.
Just wondering….this is such a travesty to have this happening to old folks like my mom. It worries the heck out of her.
From: daughter of OAN collect call scam
Date: 2005-03-13 09:48:17 -0600
See the URL, ACI (who bought out AON Services has morphed yet again. Now it is called “Billing Concepts”.
Faster than a speeding bullet. Must be one reason people have problems tracking down these companies.
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/Company-Profiles/B/Billing-Concepts-Inc-Jobs_26175
From: Andy
Date: 2005-03-15 09:51:24 -0600
I just received my Sprint bill and saw a $5.73
OAN Services charge to our home business phone for a collect call from Beavercreek Ohio. I immediately suspected a scam and voila, upon typing in OAN Services, came across this website.
I was shocked to learn that this scamming is so rampant. I am going to register my complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov.
From: Jay
Date: 2005-03-15 20:19:04 -0600
It hasn’t stopped yet. Same thing happened to me on last month’s bill. $5.25 charge for a collect call from Miami FL from OAN Services. I called the number listed, 800-944-9646, got an operator almost immediately who offered a refund before I even had time to complain about it! What a joke.
From: Jeff
Date: 2005-03-15 22:42:02 -0600
I just received a charge on my Verizon bill of $7.75 for a 12 minute call from 903-389-9252. www.oanweb.com is a sham web site. This is such bullshit. These guys should be put away for a long time. The FCC needs to get on this one now. I can belive Verizon is so stupid to allow this.
From: Andy
Date: 2005-03-16 11:12:36 -0600
I just got one, too. $4.89 for a 1min call from Phoenix, and I don’t accept collect calls. I’ll be forwarding this info to the state PUC and the FCC.(billed by SBC)
From: Carla
Date: 2005-03-17 00:14:36 -0600
I got hit to by these scammers. Charged on behalf of Nationwide Connections Inc. Collect call from CO. I don’t even know anyone in that state. Went to their website… that was a joke. Will be also reporting them to www.ftc.gov. Better watch your phone bill charges since this seems to be the most recent scam.
From: Dennis
Date: 2005-03-19 10:10:45 -0600
Just got hit with charges from Nationwide Connect for collect calls placed to my home during a period that I wasn’t home. Go to http://www.ripoffreport.com/ and write up your experiences with this company. As usual, phone companies are mum on information about these slammers. Considering the volume of complaints listed here, how can phone companies claim ignorance?
Thank you for this forum.
From: Daniel Mei
Date: 2005-03-19 18:41:19 -0600
As many rip off schemes cited above, on 3-19-2005 coming with my regular phone bill I just received an unknown long distance collect call from Westminster, CA on february 16, 2005 with a $5.41 charge for 3.5 minutes station to station call during the work day time. I did not receive the call and I checked my Caller ID and found out that there was no history for that number. Then I called the listed number from California for 3 times right after I read my bill. A message saying that “the subscriber that you called was not on service, if you think the message is in error, please check the number and call again” and the same message repeated every time I called. We need help to get rid off the fraud charge that many people complained about as soon as possible.
From: Jacque O’Boyle
Date: 2005-03-19 20:09:24 -0600
Wow what a wealth of information- Googled OAN Phone Bill Scam and WHALA…..I don’t even HAVE long distance on my verizon account and they STILL got me. I called Verizon, Washington State Atty General, E-mailed FTC and so on, Keep you all posted.
Vonage anyone? I’m seriously considering it.
From: Tom
Date: 2005-03-21 11:20:23 -0600
Same thing happened to me on my Qwest phone bill this month. A collect call from Utah for $6.25.
Called Qwest and filed FTC complaints against OAN and Qwest.
From: Mimi Blank
Date: 2005-03-22 10:17:26 -0600
What a mess. We just got one too, from Nationwide Connections from Medford OR. $4.75. We don’t have long distance on our phone either. Will be following all the channels available to report this.
From: Kay at Dever
Date: 2005-03-22 11:01:24 -0600
Just received Verizon bill with a collect call dated 2/17/05 from (904) 696-9421, a number that does NOT exist, for a total of 3 minutes, $5.25 plus .27 tax, billed by Nationwide Connections Inc. I called Verizon and they told me they would issue a credit, no questions asked. Filed a complaint online with the FCC. Finally got through to the Nationwide toll-free number that I found on this web site (it was not on my bill) after getting a busy signal for a couple of hours. Spoke with #157 “I don’t have to give you my name” and she also said a credit would be issued. Told her I had filed a complaint with the FCC – she could have cared less.
Any ideas on what we as consumers can do to get companies like this shut down and fined??
From: Margaret Coe
Date: 2005-03-22 22:18:30 -0600
Mar 22, 05
I just got an OAN charge for a call to Chicago, 702 555 1212 for $6.17. I don’t even know anyone in Chicago. Why does Quest pass on these phony charges? Margaret Coe
oan
From: Carl
Date: 2005-03-23 12:57:43 -0600
Me, too. Got a bogus $8.03 charge from OAN Service/Nationwide Conn. Inc. Thank you for whoever’s hosting this page so I know what this is all about.
I called 800-892-8424 this morning and surprisingly “Jessica #147” answered in under 2 minutes. She was at least polite and said they’ll reverse the charge in 1 or 2 billing cycles–we’ll see.
I then called Verizon to complain about why they haven’t done anything against OAN Services. “Sherry @Ohio” said they’re obligated to pass on the charge. They won’t even register my formal complaint and investigate the incidence because they’re plain not “responsible”. It’s probably more the case that they don’t want to do anything rather than they can’t. I asked about having collected calls blocked but that would cost a $2 monthly fee!
Anyway, I am so disgusted by Verizon–because I think they’re ultimately responsible and should look out for their customers. I’ll be looking for alternative phone and broadband internet services soon.
From: Juan
Date: 2005-03-26 19:18:09 -0600
My phone bill is every month the same amount.
This month I noticed and extra charge from OAN Services stating a phone call on behalf of TELESEVEN LLC to this phone number 702-555-1212 for 4.34 which after taxes ends up being 6.44
I called the 1800 number the give but it doesn’t even ring/call. 1-800-926-6435
Any suggestions? I don’t want to pay for this made up B.S.!!
Help is most welcomed.
From: John Bamford
Date: 2005-03-26 22:58:59 -0600
Same deal. 4 calls to 702-555-1212 in a 4 minute period on 2/22. Total cost $17.36. Clearly spurious. File complaints with your state PUC and with the FCC.
From: C. Domingo
Date: 2005-03-27 21:22:56 -0600
I got charges on my phone bill as well for $5.37 for a call in Englewood CO which I never received or placed the call. I saw this site and would like to add my complaint. I tried calling them but no one’s answering the phone. It’s not even ringing. These BASTARDS SHOULD GO TO HELL FOR ERRONEOUS BILLING. I already filed a complaint to FCC and might file complaint to other agencies.
From: V
Date: 2005-03-29 12:14:33 -0600
Yet another victim…I was charged on my latest bill for accepting a collect call from Mexico! I called Verizon and the customer service woman I spoke to said that they were well aware of complaints about OAN Services and she alone gets about 20 calls a day from frustrated customers. The problem is that they are not allowed by law to block any third party carriers. I also finally got through to OAN who said they were billing on behalf of West Star Telecommunications. They transferred me to a representative who said that the charges were billed to me by mistake…but I’m sure they wouldn’t have notified me of their little “mistake” on thier own. I am going to file a complaint with the FTC and hopefully I won’t see this charge on my bill next month. Also, I blocked all collect calls and 900 #’s from my line to try to prevent it from happening again… the saga continues
From: Lois
Date: 2005-03-29 16:19:37 -0600
Add me to the list! The charges on my bill were for a collect call from Mt. Vernon, WA which “Jasmine” at OAN said was from a pay phone (360-424-9920); she said a credit would be issued w/in 1 - 2 billing cycles. On contacting SBC, they said there have been some complaints against OAN, but that some people actually pay the charges. I will complain to FTC, CA PUC, etc. Thanks for all the info!!
From: Marc Breitsprecher
Date: 2005-03-30 20:52:00 -0600
I was fraudulantly billed for a collect call I never reveived by Nationwide Connections Inc at www.oanweb.com. They billed me $8.56 for a 10 minute collect call from 734-279-9900 in Petersburg, MI. We have never received a collect call…EVER…and we do not know anyone in the whole state of Michigan. I contacted my phone company, Qwest, and they told me that this number is no longer in service. How can companies do this and bill through my phone company? They should be blocked from charging through phone companies if they are a known source of fraud. I have read countless reports on the internet of fraud by this comany so my question is…why are they not in jail?? I have also contacted the FBI so I sure hope something gets done about them!
From: Matthew
Date: 2005-04-01 11:07:04 -0600
Qwest phone bill dated March 7, 2005. OAN (1-800-947-5084) charges billed on behalf of NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC (1-800-944-9646) from Portland OR #503-256-9109, (which is not in the internet reverse lookup, and was disconnected when I called it on the 14th of March 2005) for 9 minutes during the daytime billing cycle (at 6:46pm) for a total of $6.80 plus taxes, fees, and surcharges of $0.78, for a grand total of $7.58.<br />
When I called Qwest on 14 March 2005, Brian, the customer service rep, suggested that I check the internet for OAN, and I found you folks. After careful deliberation, I have filed an FTC complaint (thank you for the suggestion), and this morning I called OAN three times to complain, but their answering system simply dropped my call each and every time.<br />
I then called Qwest.<br />
Crystal, the customer service rep who answered my call, listened to my complaint and what I wanted to do about it carefully. I gave her this web address, and she said that she would read it. After we discussed the available options and the actions that I had already taken, she initated a three-way call with OAN (1-800-947-5084), which brought "Gloria, operator # 135" on the line, who then informed me that 503-256-9109 was a pay phone, and that SOMEONE must have answered that collect call.<br />
When I informed "Gloria" that A) there was no record on our caller ID of an incoming call from that number on that day at that time, B) the number was disconnected when I called it, C) no one in our household knows anyone in the state of Oregon, and D) I had already filed an FTC complaint, and would continue to file one each bill until the charges were dropped from my phone bill, she grudgingly agreed to reverse the charges. She told me that it would take 30 to 60 days to apply the reverses.<br />
After OAN diconnected, the Qwest cutomer service rep, Crystal, ran the reverse through right then and there. In retrospect, carefully reading this site and your postings gave me the correct information, and allowed me to solve this problem with the minimum ammount of fuss.<br />
Thank you all for your effort and time.<br />
Matthew
From: pK
Date: 2005-04-03 16:58:39 -0500
Wow. Well i to received a charge on my SBC phone bill from OAN (billed on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Inc) for 7.17, to a location in seminole TX - phone number 432-758-9473. Seminole TX? Where the hell is Seminole Tx. I called the number right away and a woman answered. I said “who is this”. She said “Bonnie. Who is this?” I said " is this 432-758-9473" She said “hey this is just a payphone and i was walking by."
Then i searched the net and found this site. This definately sucks. I will follow the advise on these posts and file complains. I will follow up with any information in the future.
Thanks to all.
From: David
Date: 2005-04-03 20:28:15 -0500
I had a charge crammed onto my last SBC bill that was billed on behalf of OAN Services for Nationwide Connect. I was billed 6.44 for a collect call I supposedly accepted from someone in North Dakota. I don’t know anyone in North Dakota and I just don’t answer the phone unless I know who is calling. A caller’s number has to be in my phone book, otherwise the call goes to my voice mail. So I called SBC and disputed the charge. They wanted me to call OAN Service but I told them I would not simply because I wasn’t going to waste my time talking to a company that adds fraudulent charges onto my phone bill. I then filed a complaint with the FCC and was even called by a person from the FCC to get verification of the company name that OAN Services billed for. I would recommend that anyone who has these charges added onto their phone bill immediately file a complaint with the FCC.
From: Michael
Date: 2005-04-04 12:47:09 -0500
Yup, same bogus collect call charge. They say they will “credit withing 2 billing cycles” … I am going to lay this at the feet of my local .. since they are acting in concert with a now reported scam … I think THEY should be responsible for investigating . .just like web site owners are responsible for certain type of content and “peer to peer transfer services” can be held responsible for pirated music moving thru their system. Can you say “class action suit” ?
From: michael
Date: 2005-04-04 13:01:06 -0500
.. REPORT THE SCAM to your local phone company and dispute the charge so you don’t have to pay. They also keep a database on scams like this.
From: Leanna
Date: 2005-04-07 18:00:11 -0500
I just got my SBC bill today with a $16.37 OAN Services, Inc. charge. I tried calling SBC and OAN to dispute the charge and I got an answering machine saying the offices were closed as of 6pm. I called at 5:55pm. I will be calling tomorrow and will not stop calling until this charge is taken off my bill. I never received a collect call nor do I have online service through SBC, but appartantly I am getting charged for an online service with them.
From: vince
Date: 2005-04-08 19:40:30 -0500
I got a bogus collect call from OAN on 4/7/05.
I quickly called OAN’s number (800 944-9646) and immediatly complained about fraudulent charges. The telemarketer made a feeble attempt to convince me that I accepted the bogus collect call but I firmly repeated that I will NOT pay for fraudulent charges. She then gave me a credit but that it won’t show for “2-billing cycles”.
I then called SBC to complain but they saw that a credit has been requested already. I then asked the SBC rep about “OAN” but she had no idea about this scam.
From: kodi
Date: 2005-04-11 21:38:38 -0500
THANK YOU for hosting this site
i’m beside myself with hostility that this cr*p is going on for so long and the FCC hasn’t stepped in and intervened
thanks for making all this info available
i’ll call OAN tomorrow and see if i can get the $5.25 “collect call”
removed from my bill as well
SBC should know enough by now to prevent this
thanks again
kodi
From: Jeff
Date: 2005-04-12 11:14:18 -0500
I’ve just gone throught the motions. I had a collect call from Caro, MI placed to my house before I even moved in. It was a 7 minute call to my distinctive ring line and they charged me $6.25. Qwest transferred me to OAN, OAN transferred me to Nationwide Connections, Inc. Finally Nationwide told me they would credit the charge to me in 1 to 2 billing cycles. I’m filling out the FCC complaint form right now.
I’m also trying to find a story I heard on NPR about one of their show’s producers who was having problems getting charges removed from her phone bill. It was not directly related to OAN or any of that, just about the unreasonably difficult path she had to take to get it taken care of. I think they would be interested in doing a story on this. If any of you know what I talking about, please let me know if you remember the name of the show.
From: Jennifer
Date: 2005-04-12 12:25:18 -0500
I had a collect call from West Star Communications billed on 2.1.05 through OAN on a line that comes into my home which is used only for a security alarm and does not even have a phone connected to it, so obviously I was not receiving a collect call! I called OAN and they said they would creit me within 2 billing cycles after they investigate why this charge appeared to insure it won’t happen again. I’m not holding my breath. I’ll jump on the FTC complaint bandwagon now too.
From: Shaker B. Srinivasan
Date: 2005-04-13 14:37:04 -0500
A charge of $6.96 from OAN Services was included in my SBC bill for spurious call from/to 702 866-5558, a number in Nevada. My reverse phone search on this number yielded no results. I called the billing center number 1-800-295-3933. It answered without identifying who the company is, but simply “billing center”. Even before I said anything, the rep proceeded to assure me that credit will be given for the disputed payment of $6.96! She said the call center belonged to Nationwide Conn. Inc., who worked for OAI.
I called SBC then to ask why they are including charges from a third party in their bill, without my authorization. They are after all not a collection agency! I asked to talk to the manager, who said she “believed” that by law they are required to include the charges of third parties, if they requested them to do so! Is this correct? if some Fictitious, Inc. sent them charges on John Doe for services NOT rendered, are they obliged to include them in THEIR bill to John Doe under law?
From: Debbie
Date: 2005-04-14 01:34:24 -0500
Yep, add me to the list. I got a 1 minute charge for dir asst to NV 702-555-1212. The alleged call was made while I was out of town, and my husband was at work. Qwest acted as though they have never heard of this company, and said they would reverse the charge. The OAN person is more than willing to credit my account for $5.99, even though I told her I only wanted the billed amount of $4.82. She said, “Oh, you don’t have $1.65 on there too?” I said no, but she insists on crediting me for $5.99 in 2 billing cycles. This extra $1.65 must be another scam that is normally added onto the bill, so she says she will credit that amount. How can Qwest say they are “unaware” of this? Especially after I read the tons of complaints on this site, and ripoff report, and many other sites about this company. I have taken the time to file with FCC, FTC, and BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. It is not so much the amount, but the fact that there are so many people who just pay their bill without looking at it, and are getting RIPPED OFF. That is the most annoying thing about this. Wow, every time you turn around, someone is trying to steal your money. Lately, it seems to be either your own phone company, AND NOW THE OIL COMPANIES TOO!! What a SCAM!! Everyone, please be careful and READ ALL YOUR BILLS, especially your PHONE BILL, and any CREDIT CARD bills you may have. Thanks for letting me post my complaint.
From: Steve
Date: 2005-04-15 23:49:03 -0500
Here in Denver I was charged $5.25 plus taxes for a bogus 3 minute collect charge from Omaha NE.
From: GB
Date: 2005-04-17 10:36:11 -0500
Yep. They got me, too. I had a collect call for $5.25 plus tax from somewhere in Texas on my most recent SBC bill.. I spoke to operator Dana #131 at OAN, who said he credited my account. I have filed a complaint with ACI Billing, SBC, and my state AG’s office. I guess ANYONE could create a charge FOR ANY AMOUNT on my phone bill. I’m outraged!!!
From: Patrick
Date: 2005-04-22 17:49:05 -0500
I have a regular charge of $14.95 with taxes $16.22 per month on my Centurytel phone bill from OAN Services INC, billing on behalf of Affinity Marketing Partners, LLC. for E-Mail SVC M. I first noticed this charge 3 months ago but I have no idea how long I have paid it. I have phoned the provided (1-800-944-9646) the last 3 months in a row and have been told each time I would be credited the last months bill although It may take a month or two and I would not be charged further, BUT this hasn’t happened yet… I must be a slow learner or at least to trusting. I propose we convince the federal government the scammed monies are being funneled to support terrorism and then we might actaully get them to do something about it… Thank You for providing all this information. I will file with the FTC or anyone else I can think of… Will keep you posted.
From: Andy
Date: 2005-04-24 17:06:26 -0500
And here in Boston, “OAN Services” billed me $7.34 for a collect call from a pay phone in Cedarhurst, NY, on behalf of “Nationwide Connect”.
This is clear fraud. I did NOT spend eight minutes on the phone at 10:58 AM talking to a collect caller from a pay phone.
From: Xan
Date: 2005-04-25 15:58:17 -0500
This wretched outfit is not slowing down even a little bit, and they’ve now moved into BellSouth territory. Same scam…“The following Service Provider(s) have notified BellSouth that they are billing new services on your bill this month: Nationwide Connections Inc.” The bill claims that somebody made a collect call in the amount of $4.75 to me (west Tennessee) from Lexington KY on March 22. Needless to say no such call was accepted.
Look over your phone bills–there should be a notice that your company (this is BellSouth’s phrasing) “offers options that provide for the blocking of miscellaneous third party billing…” and other things like 1-900 calls. These options are FREE and will also prevent some crooked outfit from switching your long-distance service without your permission, which is an even bigger pain in the butt to get changed back.
From: Laura
Date: 2005-04-25 16:39:51 -0500
We received a billing through Qwest on behalf of TelesevenLLC/OAN.com for “DIR ASST”……There’s another twist to this OAN scam.
I have an 80 yr old mom. She is afraid to call regarding any of her health care/ doctors or any other business so I do it for her. I was to call her “SeniorCare” Customer Service line as directed by customer service on a previous call. I was to verify one of the doctors she has….I have called the same customer service line more than a few times over the past year. I had never had a problem getting through. Except for the first week in April…I called the customer service number I have always called and a voice recording came on instucting me to dial what I thought sounded like an odd phone number. I hung up thinking I had the wrong number. After I checked my mom’s healthcard and… made sure…. as I entered the number that it was correct, the same recording came on. I entered the number given and another odd recording came on and I hung up. A few days later I called again and got through with no problem and forgot about it. ….Until we received this extra charge on our bill. My husband called and asked QWEST about it and they suggested we call OAN and they’d note it on our account. I called OAN this morning the 1-800-947-5084(took approx. 10 min) I spoke to “Maria” I told her I had never asked for, needed or even wanted DIR ASSIST…she said that when the a 1010 number is called they state that it is directory assistance and that there will be a charge. I told her there was no mention of directory assistance or a charge….I had the correct number and didn’t need assistance but as I see was charged for something I didn’t ask for or even receive! She said as a courtesty she would electronically remove the charge. I also told her there are many reports of fraudulent billing by QWEST/OAN and if they are a reputable company that they should investigate this. I also reported back to QWEST (spoke to “Pablo”) and told him the update..I was informed that I was’t the first person today to call about fraudulent billing. I told him QWEST needs to go on line and see how many other people are victims and that they are being blamed and need to check into this!! I told them that I would pay my bill minus the OAN charge. He said that they would make a note on our account and that it should not appear within 1-2 billing cycles…..The other thing that disturbs me is how many senior citzens who try to call their heathcare customer service are being charged? By the way….I called my mom’s healthcare provider and reported this to them….the rep. had not heard of it and said they hadn’t had trouble with their phone lines this month and would never charge someone to get through!! Just another way the scam goes on!! Should we report this to our local investigative TV stations? How can we get these guys??
From: Vygis
Date: 2005-04-28 16:32:28 -0500
Just got a bill yesterday from SBC. OAN Services, Inc. - 16.15. And this is already not the first time they charge! I am pissed already, i’m going right now to call SBC and those suckers and I am gonna curse them out. If i ever see another OAN services on my bill, i will personally go and whip tehir a$$es!! :D
From: lyle
Date: 2005-04-28 23:04:02 -0500
I received my Quest phone bill today and had a charge for 6.25 plus 1.00 tax for a long distance
call from Portland Ore. to Spokane Wa. Collect.
No one was home April 3rd so the call couldn’t have been completed. It is beyond me why Quest
is not investigating NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS,INC.
and WWW.OANWEB.COM FOR, RUNNING THIS SCAM.
There have been a large number of complaint ongoing for months nationwide with several different phone companies.
Quessing the large number of people that overlook
and pay these bogus charges it is not a small-time scam. It is rediculus that they can get away with it this long.
mad as hell
From: Dave
Date: 2005-04-29 05:57:56 -0500
OAN Services, Inc. / Nationwide Connections, Inc. billed me $6.85 for a collect call from Elk Rapids, Michigan from telephone number (231) 264-6309. I have never been asked to accept a collect call from anyone.
From: Brett
Date: 2005-04-29 09:09:09 -0500
I was charged for a supposed collect call on my Verizon (Buffalo, New York) bill from OAN. Supposedly the call was made from a Bob’s Hot Dogs in New Jersey. I know no one in New Jersey let alone anyone who would call collect from a Hot Dog stand pay phone. The ease at which fraudulent charges are passed through on your phone bill is scary. Changes need to be made.
From: Henry
Date: 2005-04-29 12:59:45 -0500
I just got a “Nationwide Connection OAN collect call charge on my Verizon bill. I called Verizon and they removed the charge but told me that I may hear direction from Nationwide Connections.
First, the FTC will hear from me.
From: Bruce
Date: 2005-04-29 14:26:39 -0500
I received a fraudulent collect call “billing” from OAN Services originating from a pay phone in Princeton, MN for $7.00 ($6.80 and .20 Federal tax) I have reported it to the Iowa utilities commission and will follow up with submitting to the following FCC link: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html.
These people are slime. Keep sending the complaints in. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!
You’d think by now Quest would shut this nonsense down!
From: steve
Date: 2005-05-02 09:00:54 -0500
yup, just happened to me on my last bill. Nationwide Connections scammed me with a fraudulent collect call bill for $5. The worst part about it is that you have to fight the local phone company who acts as a bill collection enforcer for these criminals.
From: steve
Date: 2005-05-02 10:49:59 -0500
Hey, here’s what to do. I talked at length with Verizon about fraudulent bills from Nationwide Connections, as it just happened to me. They are submitting erroneous collect call charges under New Service Provider to make it look like it isn’t a collect call bill, because Verizon allows you to block collect calls on your phone line. Unfortunately, that is not completely foolproof, because honoring a collect call block is optional and dishonest small phone companies like Nationwide Connections opt to ignore that. Anyway. Verizon will post a bill dispute for 60 days. I asked about what to do after 60 days, if the credit is not posted. Verizon said, dispute it again! That’s right folks, this is America, people just can’t submit phoney bills and make you pay, even if your local phone company is the bill collection enforcer. The biller has to prove the charges are legitimate, usually in court if you fight them hard enough. Every 60 days, just dispute the charges again. Verizon will back you up that way, although I had to dig into their fraud department to get that assurance. I suspect many people do not realize that their phone bills can be disputed just like you can dispute a fraudulent bill that is dropped in your mailbox. Do not be intimidated by your phone bill late fees and threats about not paying. Place the dispute and keep placing it until you get satisfaction. That’s the only way to beat down these crooks. Hang tough!
From: Dan
Date: 2005-05-02 15:13:52 -0500
Ok people. What can be done? I’m reading all this but I’ve yet to see a result. I’m still getting false OAN charges to my bill month after month. It seems like it’ll never stop. SBC clams ignorance and said they can only reimburse these false charges once and from now on it’s up to me to call OAN and take care of it! That’s nice customer service!
Has anyone received a response from the FTC? Any lawyers out there want to start a clase action lawsuit? I’m in! Let’s DO SOMETHING!
From: Dave S
Date: 2005-05-04 10:43:04 -0500
I got my first “slam” bill last month on my SBC bill from OAN Services. I already had long distance and collect call blocker, but that didn’t stop the charges from coming through. I called SBC last month. They said a credit would be given. But here it is on my new statement as a past due charge. I called today, and they suggest I call OAN. I don’t think I should have to. It’s been a long call. The SBC lady is nice. But this is a pain - and it is a crime. I’m sure lots of people just pay the bill. Why aren’t these guys in jail?
From: Al
Date: 2005-05-05 16:04:13 -0500
Still happening as of May 5. Has anyone gotten any refunds.
From: Marilyn
Date: 2005-05-05 20:20:00 -0500
Still happening. I called Verizon, who contacted OAN, whose representative promised to “issue a credit”. I have electronic bill paying but discontinued it immediately to avoid paying them any money at all. I also filed a complaint with FTC and am trying to reach the Texas AG.
From: Alfie Rose
Date: 2005-05-06 10:40:00 -0500
This is Alfred John Rose, and I have a problem with a charge on my phonebill.
Below, is what my Yahoo mail default was set at. I never received an e-mail, nor any e-mail for welcoming me to my so-called 800 number or anything from OAN NAtionwide, except for the charge on my phone bill, for that matter (the 1x setup fee).
I strongly feel that i should not have to pay for this unauthorized charge on my phonebill because the entire purpose any confirmation e-mail is to CONFIRM, not take it upon yourselves (OAN Nationwide), to automatically assume that i wanted this service. This borderline SCAM, possibly illegal, is entirely wrong. OAN, Knowing your “confirmation” e-mails are considered SPAM, and also knowing about the problems with SPAM on people’s e-mail in today’s world, OAN Nationwide is continuing to send these confirmations without looking into this problem. I’ve done some research on this and there are others out there who are experiencing the same problem. If the charge is not “deleted” from my bill, i will create a web page and also join others for a civil law suit, report OAN Nationwide to the BBB, and join in the lawsuits already in progress in small claims court. So please remove/credit, or however you guys go about purging charges on phonebills.
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From: Ruben
Date: 2005-05-07 20:43:18 -0500
I just got my Sprint bill and these bastards, OAN inc, are charging me twice for “voicemail setup and vmail premium” for $15.74 and $12.95 respectively. Now that I see this is a real old scam I have a few choice words for Sprint cause I am sure they know about this. I don’t have a dial-up, nor any extra services through Sprint, just basic landline local service as a back-up.
From: morris
Date: 2005-05-08 14:20:23 -0500
OANWEB.com continue their scamming ways. Just got my Qwest bill which includes a $7 charge for a collect call from Kent WA from a number which is disconnected. I can prove that I did not accept any such call. Possibly I can get the charge reversed if I work at it for a few days. In the meantime have informed FTC. Does anybody know an attorney who would like to initiate a class action suite to put these people out of business?
Morris
From: George Vien
Date: 2005-05-09 10:32:30 -0500
Recieved a phone bill with an eight dollar collect call from Springfield OR on it.
Absolutely ridiculous. Not mine. Had to call SBC, punch 6 buttons, wait while listening to bad music for 20 minutes. I’m certain they’ll try and hand it off to Nationwide Conn. Inc, the outfit the charge was billed “on behalf of."
My check is paid to SBC. They are responsible for eliminating this kind of scamming, in my opinion. Why are these jerks allowed to operate? Where is the control? How can someone lay something like this on an unsuspecting member of society and get away with it?
It isn’t the money; it’s the blatant disregard and bureaucratic shuffling that flames me out.
This has to stop.
From: chiachi
Date: 2005-05-09 20:53:46 -0500
I also got OAN collect call charge on behalf have Nationwide Connection Inc. for $6.44 that we never received. As I have seen so many people have been hit on this scam, how is the effective solution to remove this charge? It looks to me that some people got credit back from SBC and some don’t(depending on how answer our calls). I am really puzzled why no one can stop them??? Did anyone have this kind of charge fall into collection agency at all???
From: chiachi
Date: 2005-05-10 03:01:31 -0500
ACI BILLING SERVICES
(O A N SERVICES, INC.)
9255 Corbin Avenue
NORTHRIDGE, CA 91325
(818)678-4722
http://www.billingconcepts.com
BBB Rating: F
FOR MORE DETAIL INFO, PLEASE VISIT FOLLOWING BBB:
————————————————–
OAN SERVICES INC
8 Victory Ln #200
LIBERTY, MO 64068
elephone: (816) 792-0033
Fax: (816) 792-0033
Government Actions
April, 2003, Tri filed for protection under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on October 14, 2002, in Case No. 02-51141 filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri, in Kansas City, Missouri. TRI’s Plan of Reorganization was approved on February 3, 2003. TRI has struggled to implement its plan since that date and only recently concluded that it could not do so. As a result, TRI will cease operations on August 29, 2003, and liquidate. Since TRI’s primary asset was it customer contracts, the liquidation will not come close to providing sufficient funds to pay off the pre-petition secured lender, let alone provide any payment to TRI’s unsecured creditors including its remaining customers.
Additional DBA Names
Trisource
TRI Telecommunications
FOR MORE DETAIL INFO, PLEASE VISIT FOLLOWING BBB:
http://www.kansascity.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=98030215
————————————————–
OAN SERVICES INC
600 Congress #b Garden L
AUSTIN, TX 78701
Telephone: (800) 926-7514
Principal: Sylvia Castillo
Additional Addresses
7411 John Smith Dr #200
San Antonio, TX 78229
FOR MORE DETAIL INFO, PLEASE VISIT FOLLOWING BBB:
http://www.centraltx.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=47262
————————————————–
NATIONWIDE CONNECTION, INC
Additional Business Names: OAN Services
222 Lake View #160-157
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
FOR MORE DETAIL INFO, PLEASE VISIT FOLLOWING BBB:
http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org/nis/newsearch2.asp?ID=1&strBCode=06330000&ComID=0633000023001237
===================================================
Let’s understand more on their domain registration info. Pay attention to the address closely. Isn’t it the address of OAN Services that was reported in
BBB? How come ACI Billing Services website has OAN Services address?
Domain Name: BILLINGCONCEPTS.COM
Registrant:
Billing Concepts<br />
7411 John Smith Drive<br />
Suite 200<br />
San Antonio, Texas 78229<br />
United States<br />
Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: BILLINGCONCEPTS.COM
Created on: 08-Jul-97<br />
Expires on: 07-Jul-09<br />
Last Updated on: 03-Jun-04<br />
Administrative Contact:
Hostmaster, Hostmaster hostmaster@billingconcepts.com<br />
Billing Concepts<br />
7411 John Smith Drive<br />
Suite 200<br />
San Antonio, Texas 78229<br />
United States<br />
(210) 949-7238 Fax --<br />
Technical Contact:
Hostmaster, Hostmaster hostmaster@billingconcepts.com<br />
Billing Concepts<br />
7411 John Smith Drive<br />
Suite 200<br />
San Antonio, Texas 78229<br />
United States<br />
(210) 949-7238 Fax --<br />
—————————————————-
Domain Name: OANSERVICES.COM
Registrant:<br />
ACI Billing Services<br />
7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 200<br />
San Antonio, TX 78229<br />
US<br />
Phone: 210-949-7000<br />
Fax: 210-949-7254<br />
Domain Name: OANSERVICES.COM<br />
Administrative Contact :<br />
Hostmaster, Hostmaster<br />
hostmaster@billingconcepts.com<br />
7411 John Smith Drive<br />
San Antonio, TX 78229<br />
US<br />
Phone: 210-949-7238<br />
Record expires on 17-Dec-2006<br />
Record created on 21-Dec-2003<br />
*******************************************************
NOTE:
Even though they look like different companies, they sort of related to each other and form a ring around the nation, from west coast to east coast. Let’s connect dots to understand this operation ring.
GIVEN:
OAN Services has the following addresses
Northridge CA, LIBERTY, MO, SAN ANTONIO, TX and AUSTIN, TX<br />
ACI Billing Services has the following addresses
Northridge CA and SAN ANTONIO, TX<br />
Nationwide Connection, Inc. has additional business name as OAN Services
but with address in different state
West Palm Beach, FL 33401<br />
GROUPING:
Nationwide Connection = OAN Services
ACI Billing Servies (BBB Member with rating F) = OAN Services
ASSUMPTION RESULT:
OAN Services = ACI Billing Services = Nationwide Connection Inc.
From: Chris Howard
Date: 2005-05-10 16:21:56 -0500
$7 charge on our May 2005 Qwest bill for a collect call from Los Lunas, NM which never happend. Qwest says they will reverse it.
From: Carla
Date: 2005-05-15 12:00:42 -0500
Well there is hope I received a refund on my Qwest bill for a fraud collect call by OAN from March 17th billing. I contacted OAN services in March regarding this issue along with Qwest. I followed up with Qwest in April as to why no credit was given. I noticed on my May billing that I was isuued a refund for the bogus collect call charge of $6.70 that never happened from OAN. Good Luck all and keep fighting these slammers.
From: sbardhan
Date: 2005-05-17 13:41:52 -0500
Got crammed by the Nationwide Connect people for 7.75$ on my Verizon bill here in Northern Virginia. God knows how many people are not noticing these bogus charges. Called up Verizon and they said they will take it off and they also asked me to contact Nationwide. Wonder why a reputed company like Verizon will not immediately stop transactions with these kind of fradulent people. The collect call came from a pay phone in St. Petersburg, Florida.
From: Andy
Date: 2005-05-20 16:10:41 -0500
I got my SBC bill this week, the bogus charge I listed from OAN was reversed (took 2 billing cycles, which is what OAN said it would).
From: Jeff
Date: 2005-05-22 11:32:38 -0500
My bogus charge from OAN was just reversed on my Qwest bill today. It took 2 billing cycles like they said. It looks like they are actually reversing charges when you go to the trouble of asking.
From: rick
Date: 2005-05-22 13:37:50 -0500
Fraudulent Directory Assistance call to NV (702-555-1212) April 19th that was never made. $7.77 charged. FTC complaint posted, I’m calling Qwest and the NM AG office Monday. We haven’t paid the bill, nor will I, I’ll dump Qwest if it comes to it.
-M
From: GB
Date: 2005-05-23 06:59:32 -0500
I received a letter from the Arkansas Att. General last week. They contacted OAN and Nationwide. “Refund is on the way”.
From: GD
Date: 2005-05-23 14:41:06 -0500
My Qwest bill for May 2005 includes charges totaling $15.63 for OAN Services, Inc. These include $7.75 for a collect call from Des Moines, $5.52 for a call to directory assistance in Nevada, plus administrative fees and taxes. The bill includes two phone numbers both of which are answered by Nationwide Connections. When I called, the Nationwide agent readily agreed to drop the collect call fees (within two billing cyles), but claimed not to be able to help with the directory assistance call charged through Teleseven, LLC and gave me a number to call. When I called that number it again was answered by a Nationwide agent who said she could not help me.
I got a Qwest representative who called Nationwide and was given the same number for Teleseven that he had just called to contact Nationwide. He took the OAN charges off my QWest bill so I will not have to pay. But how many other people have been taken in by this scam? How many would have not called Nationwide in the first place and how many would have been happy when half the charges were dropped? I spent over two hours getting $15.63 off my phone bill!
From: Karen
Date: 2005-05-24 17:30:03 -0500
I just received a charge on my phone bill as follows:
Date: 3/29/5
Time: 2:31 PM
From: Long Beach, NY
Number: 516-432-9723
Length: 8:00
Cost: $7.34 (with taxes)
I called the billing number listed on my phone bill, 800-944-9646, and spoke with Operator # 134 who called himself Gabino.
He informed me the call was from a pay phone and the actual duration was 8 minutes and 35 seconds.
I told him that the number listed was a fax line and was not equipped to answer voice calls or accept collect calls. It accepts only fax transmissions.
He told me he will file a dispute and it will be credited to me.
In any event, I plan to call my local carrier, Verizon, when they reopen for business in the morning to get them on a 3-way call with this company to ensure I cover my arse.
From: Mark S
Date: 2005-05-26 12:04:43 -0500
Just got ripped off today by OAN, for a collect call I didnt get.
From: Steve
Date: 2005-05-26 22:23:38 -0500
Just recieved a bill fom SBC with a charge of 6.44 from OAN. Telephone number on bill is from a public library payphone in Grand Junction Co. What a scam.
From: Darlene
Date: 2005-05-27 16:19:39 -0500
just got my phone bill from Qwest where there is a charge for 5.52 for a directory assistant call to this (702)555-1212, there is also a 1.65 usf carrier charge attached to this , plus taxes! BULL!!!! I will not pay this! It’s not right!
From: Pedretti
Date: 2005-05-31 20:56:30 -0500
I just got a bill for 7.98 for a call that was made from an area that we have not been to as both of us are retired and do not travel. This is horrible. I am going to get hold of the FCC and find out why they cannot track these people down.
From: Teresa
Date: 2005-05-31 21:40:22 -0500
I got my bill from Bellsouth today and had a charge of $15.74 from OAN with service provider Nationwide Voice Mail, Inc. 1x set up fee. Too late to call Bellsouth or OAN at the # they provided 1-800-926-7514. How did they get my information. Could it be from Hijacking my computer?
From: Addison
Date: 2005-06-01 11:13:54 -0500
Our business’ Verizon bill this month (May 2005) had a fraudulent collect call charge for $7.75 as well from OAN billed on behalf of Nationwide Connections, Inc. I’ll be filing a complaint with the FCC (that’s the most important) and with the local Palm Beach Better Business Bureau (where the company is located). I’m also going to try to find someone at Verizon who could open an investigation to decertify them and reverse my charges. This sucks.
From: Vic
Date: 2005-06-06 09:35:39 -0500
I just got a bill for a collect call from Mexico which is impossible. It’s on my business line and I don’t even speak Spanish! I’m trying to dispute but just get voicemail run around. From all the previous posts it looks like some FCC action is in order.
From: Harry
Date: 2005-06-06 22:49:45 -0500
Oan Services billed me $8.48 through Qwest for a collect call from Iowa on 2-14-05 at 3:39 PM. I wasn’t even home at the time. This was included on my Qwest bill that I received on 4-4-05. I called Qwest on 4-11-05, but the Qwest person insisted I had to call Oan Services too. So I called Oan Services and the woman said being I’m disputing the charge, they would credit it in 2 billing cycles. Today on 6-6-05 I received my Qwest bill with $7.98 credited by Oan Services, still leaving $0.50 charge that wasn’t credited. So I will have to call Qwest and Oan Services again about $0.50. I don’t understand why crooks like this are allowed to operate, and why Qwest deals with crooks like this. It wastes a lot of time and causes a lot of grief for the honest people..
From: peter kim
Date: 2005-06-09 03:45:48 -0500
i just got my phone bill and i have to pay extra charge for USNET web hosting fee thingy. i never even signed up for dat damn thing. so i have topay over 30 bucks. this is really annoying. i tried to call them over 10 times but i couldn’t contact nobody. so i had to leave bunch of massages but nobody return my call. i really don’t want to pay them. because i never used oan usnet service.
From: Jim
Date: 2005-06-10 16:14:18 -0500
SBC just said they would take off an $8.26 service charge and OAN said they would, too. The OAN rep said they are a billing company for a lot of companies – in this case, Telseven LLC.
From: Ken
Date: 2005-06-10 19:05:04 -0500
Looks like I just fall in-line with all the other victims of this flaky OAN-Nationwide Connections, Inc. Was billed $4.89 for a call supposedly placed from Hayward, CA to my Portland, OR number on April 15, 2005. Qwest is supposedly reversing the charge but who knows how many thousands (if not millions)of dollars are being ripped off by these scammers. When I called OAN they claimed this was from a pay phone-sure it was. Unbelievable!!
I’ll be contacting the FTC as well.
From: Bob
Date: 2005-06-11 16:20:07 -0500
The scourge continues. I had a $6.25 + tax charge on my June Sprint bill for an operator assisted call (looks to be collect from Santa Cruz, CA). Answering machine picks up a call if we don’t recognize the number on our caller ID so we know it wasn’t accepted. Sprint didn’t offer much help but we did protest the charge. I ask the Sprint rep. if we could block or refuse charges from OAN and was told they didn’t have a way to do that. I’ll get in my official FCC complaint, but phone companies shouldn’t be allowed to pass on these charges without approval. I’ll also contact the Texas PUC but unless the phone companies refuse to pass on the charges, I don’t know how this will be stopped.
From: BJT
Date: 2005-06-12 02:39:18 -0500
OAN got to me too. I just saw a charge from OAN
“on behalf of Nationwide Connect, Inc.” for 7.43, added to my Sprint bill. It looks like it’s a collect call from Omaha, NE. I’ve never been there and don’t know a soul in Nebraska!
All offices are closed right now, so we’ll see how long it takes to get this resolved on Monday.
What a SCAM!!!
From: Charng-Ching
Date: 2005-06-12 11:23:57 -0500
I am all with you. There was a collect call charge imposed by OAN Service, Inc. on my May Verizon phone bill. It claimed that a collect call was made from Tempe, Arizona on May 18 at 1:32PM. We don’t know anyone in Tempe, Arizona. Furthermore, We were on vacation in Europe and no one was at home at that time. This is definietly a scam. I don’t believe phone company should let a thrid party to impose a charge without looking into the legitimacy of this practice. A class action should be filed against both phone company and OAN Services, Inc.
From: Brian
Date: 2005-06-12 17:39:16 -0500
I’m glad i found this site, here’s what my phone bill says:
OAN Services, Inc, the clearinghouse agent for Nationwide Conn. Inc., Collect Call/Operator Assisted Call on May 18 at 8:50pm from 505-863-9613, Gallup NM, to my house… 6 min., charge: $6.25, we never accepted ANY collect call, call did not happen, nothing on my caller ID from that day, etc.
OAN 800-982-8424
Nationwide Conn 800-944-9646
I’m not paying this, obviously, and I wrote that on my Verizon bill.
I filled out form for FCC for “Cramming”:
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm
and, i’m on the FTC site right now.
Anything else we can do? Sucks we have to research someone else’s scam…
From: RICHARD WEST
Date: 2005-06-13 21:03:12 -0500
OAN SIGNED ME UP FOR A VOICE MAIL PLAN I DID NOT ASK FOR. TO BE HONEST, I DON’T THINK I EVEN GOT THE SERVICE. I SURE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO USE IT. I CALLED THEM, AND THEY ASSURED ME I WOULD NEVER RECEIVE A BILL FROM THEM. OF COURSE I DID, ANYWAY. SPRINT WAS RATHER UNCO-OPERATIVE IN REMOVING THIS TRASH FROM MY BILL. REST ASSURED, I WILL NOT LET THIS GO UNCHECKED. ALL THE PROPER AUTHORITIES WILL BE NOTIFIED. I WILL DO MY BEST TO SET A FIRE UNDER SOME ASSES. I WENT THROUGH A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH SPRINT, IN ANOTHER TOWN. SOME PAGING SERVICE HIJACKED MY PHONE BILL, AND BILLED ME FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEY EVEN CHARGED ME FOR A PAGER I NEVER RECEIVED. SPRINT CONTINUED TO SLIP IT INTO THE BILL UNTIL IT WAS ACCIDENTALLY PAID. I MADE THE MISTAKE BACK THEN, OF NOT REPORTING IT TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES. I WILL NOT MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. I AM NOT ONLY GOING AFTER OAN, BUT SPRINT AS WELL. I HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT ANYONE WHO HAS PROBLEMS WITH OAN (OR ANY SUCH OTHER FLY BY NIGHT COMPANY), NOT ONLY GO AFTER THEM, BUT ALSO THE PHONE COMPANY THEY CAME PIGGY BACK ON.
From: martha o
Date: 2005-06-14 16:30:02 -0500
These people suck.
Our company was billed $6.25 for a collect call from Fairflssun, Ca 707-864-9709 on May 5 at 2:25 p.m. The call supposedly lasted for 6.9 minutes. When I called SBC to complain they put me through to an OAN (or it may have been Nationwide) representative named Gladys (rep. 142). She told me the call was from a pay phone. I told her we are an electronics business that sells to companies and it was extremely unlikely that one of our customers would go to a pay phone to make a call. I told her this was a scam and they needed to reverse the charges and that I was contacting government agencies about their game. She said the charges would be reversed and I would see the refund in 1 to 2 months. I will advise if we do not receive the refund.
In the meantime, I have written to the FCC and plan write to the Florida Attorney General’s Office since “Gladys” gave me a headquarters address of:
222 Lakeview Suites 157-160
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Maybe the more complaints are received the better.
I think class action would be wonderful. I’m on hold with OAN right now and I just found out after going through 3 levels of supervision that OAN (stands for Operator Assistance Network) is located in Texas. Their address is:
7411 John Smith Dr. Ste. 200
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Debbie Hartmann is a manager there.
Let’s all keep calling and asking her why they keep billing on behalf of Nationwide Conn. 1-800-944-9646
From: Layton
Date: 2005-06-15 21:28:56 -0500
Received my phone bill 6/15/2005 from verizon which contained a charge of $6.25 for a collect call which we never received. Will file a complaint with FCC and verizon and see what happens.
From: Mary
Date: 2005-06-16 09:58:01 -0500
I was charged $10.75 by OAN svcs. on my qwest bill today for a collect call made to me on May 23rd from mexico (526144460142). I don’t know anyone in mexico, and I was gone all evening that night because it was my BIRTHDAY!
From: BGW
Date: 2005-06-17 16:31:44 -0500
These Mother F$#kers just charged me $5.57 for a so called “collect call” from FT wayne Indiana. I called them at 1-800-441-9678 demanding a investigation. They told me they have proof and there not going to issue credit. I have SBC as my provider and they seem to be backing these CROOKS…..i think SBC and these clowns are in cohoots !!!!! BASTARDS. Time to file a complaint with the FCC
From: Bob
Date: 2005-06-19 23:52:53 -0500
Same old story, OAN acting on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Inc billed me for a collect call totaling $5.13 that we did not receive. After reading all the complaints, I am as pissed off at the FCC and California’s Utilities Commission for not taking action to shut them down as I am with OAN. Our government agencies need to get off their asses and start earning their salaries. I am looking back through my preivous phone bills, I think they “got me” on a prior bill.
From: PA
Date: 2005-06-20 11:08:07 -0500
Same problems as others, call for directory assistance to Nevada on behalf of Teleseven LLC and collected by OAN.
From: DG
Date: 2005-06-20 18:10:04 -0500
I am now on my 2nd month of being billed for charges for 2 Voicemail plans that a person other than myself, using my phone number but a different address in a different State signed up for. The charges for these total just over $31.00 and are billed MONTHLY to my local company Frontier Telephone, one plan by Nationwide and the other by OAN.
I did what everyone on this site has done. The day I got the first bill I noticed the scam. Called all the numbers, talked to all the people, wrote down the names and numbers transferred to, had all the promises made of “unsubscribing” me from the services and getting refunds - of course taking at least 2 more billing cycles.
My local company voided the first bill but told me it was one time only and I had to take care of any others, and to be alert and check for refunds. They said if I don’t pay any future charges they will eventully mark my account delinquent and send bill collectors and so on. They know I didn’t sign up for these services, I have complaints in, I’ve reported them (like everyone) to to all the various Government agencies, and yet ultimately I’m still responsible.
Just got the 2nd bill today with the charges again and no refund. And I’m still subscribing to the service according to this bill.
So, has anyone gotten any resolution? Any refunds? Any monthy charges finally dropped?
I’m thinking the promises made by these operators of refunds and unsubscrbing are false and wonder what other steps can be taken.
From: Carla
Date: 2005-06-20 23:16:11 -0500
OAN Services = ACI Billing Services = Nationwide Connection Inc.
These are all the same people. OAN=Nationwide Connections. I got my refud for a bogus collect call after two billing cycles but it took follow up with both Qwest and OAN. I can not believe noone is not doing a thing about this faud. I have sent complaints to BBC and FCC months ago. Keep fighting these scammers!
From: Karen
Date: 2005-06-23 17:56:23 -0500
I have Qwest local, Sprint long distance, and found a charge of $5.52 for a directory assistance call from Teleseven LLC along with a carrier admin fee and tax for a total charge of $7.17 on my bill. Did a web search on Teleseven and found the info about this being a scam, so contacted Qwest and did a three way call with the Teleseven person who consented to give full credit within two billing cycles. Teleseven gave some story that the bill was for a call someone had made to a disconnected number which prompted a recording offering directory assistance at a rate of $4.65 or some such amount - like I would ever make use of that. The amount didn’t even match what they were billing me. Teleseven then offered to put a block on my line to prevent anyone from using Nationwide - or something. Was pretty confusing. I didn’t want these unknowns blocking my line and since we are moving and the phone will be disconnected in a couple of days anyway, I declined. Any idea why the blocking? Anyway, Qwest documented everything and told me not to pay the amount Teleseven credited. Will be interesting to see how long it takes to resolve this.
From: GB
Date: 2005-06-24 14:07:54 -0500
Got my credit after 2 billing cycles. I will watch my bill EVERY month now. I wonder how many suckers never detect they have been billed?
From: David
Date: 2005-06-25 18:22:10 -0500
Write to the FCC
FILE the COMPLAINT, it seems that OAN must reply to these complaints as i too was scammed by OAN- Nationwide Connections
I followed the advice i read on this site, was reimbursed by OAN (i have to check but they said i was on my last bill) and they now have to reply to the FCC, so make the complaint, if enough of you make the effort it won’t be cost effective for them to continue these business practices!!!!
Make the Complaint please
tell the FCC
From: Douglas Atkins
Date: 2005-06-25 18:41:35 -0500
I received a bill today June 13, 2005 which was from the same scam. OAN Services Inc. in the amount of 4.89. I guess I’ll have to file an FTC complaint as well.
….DDA
From: David
Date: 2005-06-27 07:41:40 -0500
Had the charge for $15.74 from OAN. Called OAN and they said that my wife signed up for www.RecipeRewards.com and that they gave her several chances to cancel the order. I went on the site and tried it myself (using bogus info) and NOWEHRE does it say anything about OAN, voice mail, or anything else of that type.
I called Sprint and spoke with a very sweet operator and told her the situation. She said that she was aware of OAN (with a giggle) and said that she would put through the request for credit immediately.
If anyone is considering a class action suit against OAN, please add me to the list. Anyone contacting me at my email address, please put OAN in the subject. I do not open any emails from people I do not know, especially if they contain attachments.
From: Pedretti
Date: 2005-06-27 19:55:43 -0500
Well they did it again. This time I got charged for a collect call from Mexico for 17.52. We were not at home and no one was in our house. I have turned this over to our Attorney General and to the FCC as well as our Congressmen and Senators. This has to stop. These people are making millions and no one is doing anything about it.
From: Patrick Bane
Date: 2005-07-04 14:50:49 -0500
I was reviewing my bill from May today and noticed a collect call charge for OAN Service, Inc. on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Inc. for $6.80 on Sunday May 15, 2005 at 12:03pm. Actually what is interesting is we were not even home that day. We were dropping off a business associate at the airport and returning her rental car. After reviewing online the number of complaints on various website that have been filed, it is my belief that our local phone company service providers that bill on behalf of these fraudlent companies most likely collect a rebate or kickback for the actually billing. It has been known by our service providers (Verizon, SBC, and others) for a long time that these companies are committing fraud. They have the ability to stop them but don’t. The reason they don’t is because they are mostlikely monitarily benefiting from the fraud by collecint some form of commission, compensation, rebate, or kickback from OAN Services.
I shot a letter off to my carrier Verizon, the FCC, and the State of CA CPUC. Probably won’t do much good but it will always help.
From: Controller
Date: 2005-07-07 17:07:27 -0500
We are a commercial customer of Qwest and received a fraudulent collect call charge from AON on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Inc. also. As Patrick Bane commented, there is no incentive for Qwest to screen these charges as they no doubt receive an agent fee for passing through and collecting the charge.
We will also make some complaint to regulatory authorities but I do not expect any changes as a result.
From: Karen in NM
Date: 2005-07-09 10:49:39 -0500
I just sent an email to Channel 4 in Albuquerque, hoping they look into this. Suggested they have all their employees look at their own phone bills. My bill was for $5.63, allegedly from some pay phone in AZ. Some chick on the phone said she’d reverse the bill. Sure. I also sent Qwest an email, citing this site, told them they were accomplices in a criminal act and that I would not front payment for this charge. Glad to see I’m not alone!
From: JW IN PA
Date: 2005-07-10 08:54:39 -0500
Just got my Verizon Bill with a charge from OAN/TElseven for a charge on June 14. Doesn’t say what it’s for: Was it a call? A service? subscription? Nothing at all. Just two different charges for nothing, not a number called or anything, just charges. Feh. nobody’s getting anything until this gets straightened out.
From: Bernie
Date: 2005-07-11 08:42:02 -0500
The phone number for my church has joined the OAN/NC, Inc. “scam” club. No way possible that a collect call could have been received at an unoccupied building. I called the “from” number shown and connected to what appeared to be a computer modem. This makes sense … that a randomly generated series of calls to a working phone line could be used to generate a small charge for a so-called short duration “collect” call. For many, a relatively small charge would go unnoticed on most bills. Produce enough of these uncontested charges and rake in a large cumulative income. ALL 3rd party calls are now blocked! There seem to be enough comments posted that these folks would not still have been doing this as of May, 2005.
From: Judy
Date: 2005-07-11 13:40:50 -0500
Our corporate office received Qwest telephone bills for our offices in Omaha and Phoenix. Both invoices show a bogus collect call billed by OAN - and this is not the first time!
From: CV
Date: 2005-07-11 20:54:20 -0500
I WAS BILLED BY OAN SERVICES, INC. FOR A CALL COLLECT TO MY ACCOUNT FROM MEXICO.I WAS OUT OF TOWN.DO NOT KNOW ANYONE IN MEXICO.I ALSO HAVE THE ITERINARY FROM AIR LINE THAT I WAS NOT IN TOWN, BUT THEY DO NOT GIVE ME AN ADDRESS WHERE I CAN SEND THEM PROOF THAT NO ONDE WAS AT THE HOUSE TO ACCEPT THAT CALL.I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE. AS OF TODAY I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. WHEN I CALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES, I FOR SOME REASON GET DISCONNECTED.
From: gary
Date: 2005-07-12 00:15:41 -0500
same old thing a voice-mail charge on behalf of oan services for $15.00 a one-time charged to my local phone co. (sbc) called them in response to the charge they told me they would refund the charge. anyhow the next month’s bill came today and there a monthly charge of $13.00 now if i called last month dont you think they would end the service? and not charge again??
From: Roy
Date: 2005-07-12 01:23:55 -0500
Same thing. Qwest bill today had a fraudulent OAN/Nationwide collect call for 6 minutes $6.25
I’ll call Qwest/Oan tomorrow, have already filed FCC form 475.
From: janie lopez
Date: 2005-07-13 18:35:44 -0500
I also received a charge on my bellsouth bill for 13.01 from OAN for a collect call from mexico. I wasn’t even at home that day but when i called to complain after being hung up on twice they said there was nothing they can do because since i have an answering machine that it was connected automatically and since there was a connection i had to pay for it. they said they could however put a block on my phone. That’s a bunch of BS. If my answering machine only lasts 2 min. how come they billed me for 10 min.?
From: J Marshall
Date: 2005-07-13 20:13:09 -0500
Charged 5.25 for 2 minute Dir Asst NV call through TELESEVEN LLC For questions & rates, call 1-800-944-9646 WWW.OANWEB.COM.
I called Qwest, and the rep said he’d credit my account next month. He says OAN may contact me directly for the payment, or they’d forget about it. I’ll file a complaint with the FTC anyway.
This has been going on for way too long. They should be in jail.
From: jane
Date: 2005-07-14 16:01:55 -0500
Ok people I am the second person that is coming to this site and letting you guys know that it IS A SCAM.. I worked for that company for a very short time and left as soon as I figured out what was going on.
What they do is buy all of your numbers from a company that doesnt know what they are using them for.
Then you get charged for these crazy calls that you didnt accept… the person that owns this company (Willougby Farr) can not operate a buisness in Florida so he has the company under someone else’s name.. her name is Yaret Garcia.
They are all getting rich from stealing our money… and when I say rich I am not kidding.. million dollar mansions and many Bentleys later.. this man is still making millions from our familys.. can I tell you that so many people dont even notice these calls…its really sad and disgusting.
Did they tell you it was a billing error when you managed to get through or did they say maybe the lines got crossed… thats what they tell everyone, thats what there TRAINED to say.
Heres the REAL adress… 215 5th st. suite 306 WPB, FL 33401 and the real phone number is 561-802-4344.
From: Edgar
Date: 2005-07-15 03:47:40 -0500
I was charged twice by OAN on behalf of West Star Telecommunications, once for a collect call from Mexico 526441214946 for 10 minutes for a total of $11.74 w/tax, I dont even have a phone hooked up to this line, I use it for my ISP, and I was not home at the time of the call, the second one was for $1.27 for a Universal Service Fund, which qwest had allready charged me for. First thing in the morning I gonna call Qwest and demand this charges get credited to my account.
Anyone else have any suggestions on how to get our money back and stop this Bastards.
From: Jerry H
Date: 2005-07-18 09:35:45 -0500
Same thing happened to me. A fraudulent 5 minute collect call for $6.25 to my condo association’s phone line that is only used to connect our fire sprinkler system to the monitoring company. No voice phone at all. OAN Services and Nationwide Connections.
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-07-18 13:52:44 -0500
OAN/Nationwide Connections Inc. fraudulently charged me too — $6.25+.19 tax. I called Qwest today to protest it. Qwest said they’d “send the charge back” but oan/nci was free to pull the stunt again. At first the Qwest guy played dumb but when I directly asked him had he heard of oan/nci he said yes. I said have you heard of them 100 times? He says maybe not 100 but many. Then he segwayed into pitching me Qwest’s long distance package.
So I’m thinking maybe Qwest doesn’t mind all this too much. Also I imagine they get a percentage for acting as the biller for 3rd party companies.
I also called the Nationwide Connections number. The “lady” who answered was obviously working off a script. Did anyone in the family blah, blah. That came to a halt when I said let’s just skip this crap; you’re well known scammers, it’s all over the Internet. She says they’ll take care of it within 2 billing cycles. Right.
From: Peter P.
Date: 2005-07-19 12:17:32 -0500
Samething here. A fraudulent collect call made from Mexico and supposedly received at 12:40 pm while at work. 4 miniute call for $5.46 on February 13th, 2005.
From: Glenn
Date: 2005-07-22 10:15:21 -0500
Add me to the list, with a $6.25 collect call charge on my June Qwest bill (plus $0.19 tax). I don’t feel it is my responsibility to deal with the crooks at OAN. I called Qwest and talked to a csr named Stephanie. I pointed out the charge and said “I think you and I both know who these people are and what they are up to”. She said, “yes, I can verify that I have seen these types of charges before”. She did a “Mechanized Adjustment” for $6.44; added collect call blocking and third party charge blocking and assured me that this “shouldn’t” happen again. I told her to make a note in my account file that if it does I will immediately terminate all services with Qwest.
Don’t spend your time on this, it is Qwest’s responsibility. If they won’t help you, take your business elsewhere.
From: Jimmy
Date: 2005-07-23 04:34:51 -0500
I just got slammed by OAN Services, Inc. for PRIVASAFE EMAIL SVC, a service I don’t even have a clue about. Haven’t paid for anything yet, need to contact SBC in the morning.
From: Bill
Date: 2005-07-23 13:56:25 -0500
Got my Verizon bill today.They provided billing for OAN Services - a collect call I surely never accepted from a saloon in Garfield, NJ, about 300 miles from me! Why is Verizon billing for these scammers? I’m in NY State and will get the info I’m reading here to Spitzer, Schumer and Hillary.
From: George
Date: 2005-07-26 23:10:32 -0500
Got me too. This one was $5.88, supposedly for a 4 minutes collect call from the pay phone in a bar in Springfield, OR. Nope, I don’t know anyone in that town and certainly no one in a bar at 10:55 in the morning.
OAN, Services and Nationwide Conn. same as above.
I’ve submitted the complaint to the FCC, but I’m afraid to write a letter to addressed posted above because it will just give someone there the chance to hit my phone number again.
From: Paul
Date: 2005-07-27 23:10:22 -0500
Qwest has reversed the $7 fraudulent charge from Nationwide Connections. I told them about this website and the one at badbusinessbureau.com where hundreds of victims are listed. The Qwest representative advised me to contact the FCC and my state Attorney General.
So far, I have emailed the FCC (www.fcc.gov - form 475) and requested that they shut down this scam and investigate OAN.
The more consumers push the regulators, the sooner they will take action. JUST DO IT!
From: Dave A
Date: 2005-07-28 23:00:10 -0500
Local provider: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP.
Location: Fresno, CA
Billed By: OAN Services, Inc.
On Behalf of: West Star Telecom
Amount: $15.82
Alleged Call: 7/7 850A Mexico 526222221 RBO 14.0 min
Fact: Never happened. I don’t believe there are even enough numbers there to reach a phone in Mexico.
Notes:
These guys are buying their caller names from an outfit called Accudata Technologies (www.accudatatech.com) I wrote an email to their CEO, a Greg Smith (gregs@accudatatech.com). Maybe if a few other people did the same thing…
I’m goint to try the Secretary of State, too. See if their corporation can be yanked.
Thanks for the info, links to the FTC, etc.
From: Mauricio
Date: 2005-07-30 13:53:35 -0500
I got charged in my Verizon bill $5.46 plus tax for a collect call received from MEXICO under OAN services. Such a bullshit!! I never accepted that call and when I phoned this people from OAN to dispute the charge they told me they can’t reverse the charge because an answer machine probably picked the call and because it was originated in mexico under mexican rules there is nothing to do about it. THIS IS SUCH A ROBBERY…I still have to call Verizon and see what they have to say. The number for OAN i got is 1 800 944 0171. These people should end up in JAIL!!!
From: Mike
Date: 2005-08-02 08:22:39 -0500
Received the Verizon bill today, with 2 $10.00 per minute charges, on my fax machine number. Calls were made to a 900 number, place listed just says “Credit Inq”, and it says “billed on behalf of Bank of America.” Then it indicates “if you have questions about OAN Services, Inc call 1 800 944 9646. This is wrong.
From: Drea
Date: 2005-08-02 15:59:10 -0500
We are getting these charges left and right for our two companies. I have called, faxed and sent a letter to the FCC regarding OAN and Qwest in this scam - and copied it to Qwest. I’ve come down hard on the Qwest rep each time we receive one of these, but they insist OAN is legit.
Now we are receiving strange phone calls from a West Asset Managment company - who when we ask why they are calling, hang up on us. So frustrating and infuriating!
From: Stacy
Date: 2005-08-04 20:40:27 -0500
I too have been scammed by OAN Services. I just left them a VERY rude message since they are closed. I was charged $17 for a 800 # that I don’t need. This was in June. They told me that my husband signed up for it through some pop up ad on the computer. He didn’t sign up for anything!!. I was given a confirmation number and was told that I would get a refund on Aug. 5. I was also told that my account would be closed with them. Well guess what, I just got my July billing through SBC and they are still on there!!!! I will be calling them tomorrow morning and I will also be calling SBC to dispute the charges. I just hope that SBC will do something since I didn’t dispute the charges last month!
From: Jessica
Date: 2005-08-05 00:39:10 -0500
Yep, I had the same thing. Got a bill for a 14-minute collect call from Mexico, provided by OAN and West Star Telecom. Thanks to this forum, I’ve now reported it to the FCC. I tried calling the number to dispute the charge with OAN, but they told me they’d have to consult their manager and call me back within 72 hours. Well, that was before I read all of this stuff here. I think I’ll give them a call back with a little more knowledge under my belt. Thanks, everyone! :)
From: Jessica
Date: 2005-08-05 00:45:54 -0500
Okay, so it looks like OAN will only take one call from me per day. I just tried to call them back to ask them to reverse the charges and they always hang up on me before I even get to talk to an operator. I go through all of the menu options, then I hear the beginning of the hold music, then the line goes blank and eventually my phone gives me the beeping that signifies having been on an empty line for too long.
This is making me maaaaad.
From: Karen
Date: 2005-08-05 10:40:30 -0500
Add me to the list of victims. Received my SBC phone bill yesterday and there it was OAN/WestStarTelecom a bill for $16.07 to or from Mexico a collect call.
Called SBC to remove charge which they will do,but I may still receive an individual bill from OAN. Informed the rep. that there seems to be scam going on. He respond indifferently stating that there are hundreds of long distance carriers and that basically SBC has no responsibility for the scamming of their customers that is the governments job.
From: kj
Date: 2005-08-05 14:44:45 -0500
Looked all over my SBC bill to find the $18.65 chage from OAN. I did’t take a collec call from Mexico. Called the 800 for OAN and Aracely told me that I did take the 15 minute collect call, and that they will NOT take the call from my bill. Asked for a supervisor, and was sent to an extention that does not take messages and was disconnected. Called SBC and they will remove the charge, and if I do get a direct billing from OAN, I am to demand proof of the charges. Was told how to handle this possible scam if it goes furhter. Should halt there. Need to keep notifying the powers that be to get their attention to stop this money grabber.
From: Andrew
Date: 2005-08-06 00:06:20 -0500
My “collect call” was supposedly accepted at a time the entire family was out of the house watching our daughter perform in a dance group… we have “date stamped” video of the family at the event at the time of the “call."
I filed complaints with Qwest, the Oregon Attorney General, the FTC and a local TV consumer reporter.
One particularly appalling part of the experience is that Qwest says I have to complain to Nationwide Connections/OAN… but the contact web site listed on my Qwest bill (www.oanweb.com) doesn’t exist.
Doesn’t Qwest at least have some responsibility to ensure that the contact information for third-party billers is accurate?
From: DG
Date: 2005-08-06 12:32:21 -0500
Hi all. I got charged by OAN & Nationwide for supposedly signing up for Voicemail plans for a total cost of about $31.00. The phone number used was mine but the name & addresss weren’t. (See my posting here on June 20th.)
I FINALLY have resolution! It did take till the 3rd billing cycle for the monthly charges to stop and the refund/credit from OAN/Nationwide to show up on my phone bill, but it did show up and that’s what matters. My local phone company also told me they blocked my number from receiving charges from either company in the future. Hopefully this is over for me, (this time) but these companies need to be stopped. Please everyone - file complaints with your various government agencies (maybe someone, somewhere, will pay attention), and make sure all your friends & families are aware of this scam and to always check their bills!
From: RICHARD WEST
Date: 2005-08-08 13:41:02 -0500
I FILED COMPLAINTS AGAINST OAN AND NATIONWIDE VM WITH THE FTC AND WITH IFCCFBI.GOV. I HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT EVERYONE ELSE DO THE SAME THING. THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. THE MORE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN, THE MORE LIKELY SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE CRIMINALS.
From: Laura
Date: 2005-08-09 09:46:29 -0500
My company just received a $5.25 collect call charge to our DSL line. Since I have dealt with similar schemes on my home bill I called Qwest to put on file that I was disputing the charge. The representative told me to call back if I was unsatisfied with my discussion with OAN. I called OAN using the number listed on the front of my Qwest bill 1-800-947-5084 - they said no problem and will issue a credit in 1 to 2 billing cycles.. I am cynical that this will occur so my next step is to have Qwest to reverse the charge to make sure this months charge is removed.
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-08-09 10:52:46 -0500
I posted a note above (Jul 18). Yesterday I received a letter on NC letterhead. This letter is addressed to the FCC and shows me (actually my wife, whose name is on the Qwest account) as copied.
Since the content is not news to the FCC, I suspect it was never sent there — it’s only supposed to make me think the FCC has somehow done its thing and is now out of the loop. But I did fill in one of those online complaint forms so I guess it’s possible the FCC contacted them.
Anyway here is the letter:
http://members.cox.net/john.w.mckown/mendoza.jpg
Did anyone else get one like this?
From: Stacey
Date: 2005-08-11 00:37:10 -0500
This is the second bill that I recieved from Oan Services, Inc. They were both for $14.41. I paid the first one because I didn’t understand what it was for, However, I did tell them to close this account and not to bill me for this anymore. They agreed to cancel my account, but I see now that they didn’t. My bill doesn’t even list a number for this call, it just says RESIDENTIAL at 12:00am. and down at the bottom it says: OAN SERVICES, INC. billing on behalf of Residential Voice Mail…………and I don’t have voice mail…I have a phone with a built in answering machine. Anyone who gets this charge on their bill, should report them to the FCC, I did….
From: S Falcon
Date: 2005-08-16 13:28:43 -0500
My July 2005 invoice from Verizon had a collect call from Mexico. Verizon provided a working number to call and I have left two messages with no response. No credit on my Verizon bill for August and now an added charge for the Federal Universal Service Fund paid to OAN Services Inc.
I’ve written the FCC with my complaint. Something needs to be done to see to it that these animals no longer scam people.
From: Pete Wells
Date: 2005-08-16 18:23:51 -0500
I am tring to follow up on these billings on behalf of the City of Pendleton, Oregon, and our residents. We have received bills for 13 collect calls over 20 months, amounting to $70.85. We have identified procedings before the State of Iowa, Department of Commerce, Utilities Board in which Nationwide Connections paid a $750 penalty and before the FCC in which the case was dismissed. Does anyone know of any other leaal proceedings.
Pete
From: Ginger
Date: 2005-08-16 20:56:05 -0500
Just to clarify some things. OAN and ESBI are billing companies used by the companies that bill your phone bill. OAN is not the company that intially is billing you, they are the third party company used by another company to bill the phone bill. So calling OAN or trying to dispute charges won’t get you anywhere, you have to contact the actual company using OAN/ESBI to bill you. Basically they bill on Behalf of companies and really play not part in the matter. Most of things charged to the phone bills are from the internet. For example. You see an ad.. Free Gift card, walmart card, DVD player free phone… ect ect.. ect … u begin to fill out the ad to recieve this free gift or what ever. Most people dont scroll down to the bottom where it states that in order to recieve the item you must be part of a monthly charged service that will be charged to your phone bill in exchange for the free gift. You check off boxes and authorize this thinking you are signing up for free services or what have you because the word diction is placed in a way to make you think that you will be recieving free items. Next thing you know you are being charged for unknown charges for services you never head of.
So again, OAN or ESBI is not the companies you want.. it is the companies that run the ads that get you..
and also to be honest … most of you people are dumb who do it. Who really puts their personal info on the computer for free things? you live in america you should know nothing is free… Or at least read everything before you go clicking away cause you need to have a free dvd player…
turns out for your stupidity you’re playing cat and mouse with your phone company and billing companies and the real company still scratching your head like a monkey trying to figure out how someone got your information.
Well if you never offered it, then the scammers wouldn’t have it.. so stop making thier life easier…
its simple..
u went online
filled out your name address email phone number bla bla blah blah… didnt read all the fine print and sent in a million forms tring to recieve free gift cards and free phones and free this because you are greedy and stupid for thinking you would actually get the items..
you will get the items, after you pay for a good many months of service on your phone bill for BS services that aren’t worth a damn…
So stop wasting your time trying to bring down OAN and ESBI… they are just billing companies for thousands of other companies… Its not thier problem how the outside companies get your john handcock to OK the charge.
From: seebs
Date: 2005-08-17 01:18:17 -0500
The above comment about OAN being “just a billing company” contains at least one factual error; OAN was, in fact, able to reverse the charge.
Furthermore, in every case I am aware of, no one signed anything, gave anyone permission, or anything of the sort. We even have testimony from employees that they simply bought mailing lists and generated fake charges for all the people on these lists!
The people I talked to at OAN lied to me, several times. I think the preponderance of evidence is that they are at this time knowing participants in this scheme.
From: unbelievable
Date: 2005-08-18 08:32:19 -0500
Personally I was also charged back in March for a collect call from CO where I know no one. Took almost three billing cycles for credit. Qwest was very helpful in optaining my refund. Furthermore I do not sign up for any free items on the internet, I work for a computer programing company and know the risk involved with internet scams. I think our commenter GINGER may work for the people pulling off these scams. Keep reporting these people to the proper people FCC, BBC ect….
From: Codi
Date: 2005-08-18 17:08:50 -0500
Ginger is full of crap and knows nothing about anything. My phone number that was charged is a business line and I never use that information on the internet. My phone company told me to report these people because they do it to everyone banking on the fact that mostr people dont notice. I called OAN and they were happy to refund my money seeing as how they stole it and I caught on to it.
From: Ginger
Date: 2005-08-19 19:31:02 -0500
Ginger is not full of crap because I worked for a company that uses OAN for its billing. Which is why i know so much about it and the guidlines. I worked 8 hours a day on the phone dealing with disputed charges. So i know exactly what I am talking about. I didn’t say all OAN charges occur like that. But a good portion do, like the voicemail and privasafe and email charges ect ect… OAN will refund the money but they are the billing company… they may be able to refund you, but if it is a monthly incured charge from the orginal company, it will keep billing you because OAN cannot cancel the subsciption, only the original company using OAN can cancel and prevent and future charges.
So yes, I know what I am talking about because I had to unfortantly work for a few of these companies and deal all day with OAN and disputed charges… and it wasn’t fun and I didnt know what assholes companies could be till I worked for one… so i quit
From: Ginger
Date: 2005-08-19 19:47:32 -0500
And just because I worked for them didn’t mean I was responsible for setting things up. I only answered the phones and issued the refunds. Thats all. I didn’t create the company or it’s motives. And snotty a*! people who got themselves screwed call in screaming as if people like me personally went out and put these charges on the bill. I was up for doing all I could to refund all the people for all i could cause I felt bad once I figured out how sneaky most of the companies were in obtaining the information. But calling up screaming doesnt get anything done any faster. To be honest, if you were nice to me I would be nice to them and refund them more than what I was allowed to if possible. But if you called me up screaming at me as if I personally did this to them cause i hated them, I did the bare minimal..
But it was a call center, and i had no choice what project I answered the calls from. I have mouths to feed and it was a job. Customer service centers do not just answer for one place of business. It just so happened for a short period of time I was placed on those projects that set people up.. and personally i think it was a good thing cause now i know how things work, and what to avoid and I know the nicer you are to customer service reps the more you will get out of it and the faster the situation will get resolved, because its not thier fault either…
also all the theats jested at the customer service reps when people call mean nothing.. Your not actually calling the orginal company. Your just calling a call center who answers there calls. We never even saw the owners rarely. They just hire the call centers to do thier dirty work…
So go after the people who create the damn websites that screw people over.. Not the billing company or the customer service reps that know just as much as half of you…
But luckily I quit and got transfered to another part of the building for a real company. Not sneaky ones… because i agree, these people are walking to the banks with innocent hardworking peoples money…because they make it easy online on the internet posting free this or free dvd player free gift card and what not to catch ur attention in giving up the info and never reading the fine print…
but dont make it easy for them.. reporting it to the fcc or bbb or what ever really doesnt hurt them… not giving up ur info does… try to get them on the news like current affairs or something and expose them…
So believe what u want, i saw it first hand
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-08-21 13:21:14 -0500
Ginger you still don’t seem to get it. Read this carefully: the people who posted here didn’t give any info to any website.
They simply found fraudulent charges on their phone bills for CALLS THEY NEVER MADE. The scams you’re talking about are another racket these scumbags are running.
I love how you played the starving baby card though. Jeez.
From: Ginger
Date: 2005-08-23 16:36:02 -0500
Starving baby card?? no.. I was in college and I worked at a call center and they give you a different project every freakin month.. It just so happened some companies that used OAN as a billing processor creeped there way in and I was assigned to work on it… I knew eventually I could get off the project… Sorry if i wasnt about to cut all my funds and be broke and quit my job in full because of a project i was set on… and i understand that OAN posts charges for fraud phone calls.. But I saw some posts on here about a company I ust to work for that posts as OAN charges on the phone bill. So I was informing the site of one of the ways these companies that use OAN obtain their information and consent to charge people..
The advertisements are set up in a way you read over where they state they charge you and or kids see free items and put thier parents info in, which is what happens nine of ten..
but ok thats all im done with this site, I just saw a post about something i felt the need to inform people who were curious about how they may have gotten some of these charges..
so thats all
peace
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-08-25 14:10:22 -0500
I just filled out an online complaint form at the Florida Attorney General’s website
http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/Contact?OpenForm&Section=Economic_Crimes
They have a searchable database of current cases but I couldn’t find anything on Nationwide Connections or OAN. I told them about this site and gave them the following comment:
Nationwide Connections Inc. /OAN adds charges for nonexistant calls to the phone bills of people all over the US. The victims are selected at random and the charges are in the $10 range. NC profits whenever these charges are not noticed and thus payed by the victims. If the victim does notice and protests with sufficient vigor, NC issues a credit.
The website listed above has postings from dozens of people who have been victimized since Dec 2004 and found each other via Google.
Apparently NC has a nice, safe scam going, down in some crack between the jurisdictions of regulators and law enforcement agencies. Can nothing be done?
From: Scammed in Kzoo
Date: 2005-08-26 08:35:29 -0500
Count me in as one who got hit. 6.82 for a fraudulent collect call supposedly made from Bowling Green, OH. I’m so glad I found this site because it gave my complaint the ‘bite’ it needed.
Called the scamming company, got Operator 156, Yareli, who first told me that the call had been accepted. She backpedaled quickly when I informed her I 1) wasn’t there to get a call and
- I filed a complaint with Michigan Attorney General and FTC (which I did, wasn’t just saying it). Said a refund would be issued, would take 1-2 billing cycles (yeah, right. We’ll see).
Then I called SBC who quickly agreed to remove that charge from my bill.
I wish there was a class-action suit against these scumbags and hit them where it hurts - the money bag.
From: Anna
Date: 2005-08-26 11:02:48 -0500
I recieved my Verizon bill today to find a charge of $18.51 for a 15 minute collect call from Mexico. (never happened) I don’t give out my personal information on the internet, so Gingers theory doesn’t apply here. I have spoken to OAN who tried to blame the collect call on my answering machine… OAN did say they would credit the charge, and Verizon said it would take 1-2 billing cycles to complete.
Has anyone found resolution to this on-going problem? Meaning, has your phone bills been credited back??
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-08-26 14:20:56 -0500
Yes. On 18 July 05 a full credit was entered on my phone bill by OAN. The original charge was dated 11 June 05: elapsed time 37 days.
As I mentioned above NC sent me a copy of a letter addressed to the FCC, ostensibly in response to an FCC inquiry.
So I guess everyone should be sure to fill out that FCC complaint form on line:
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm
It’s kind of interesting that the FCC seems to have an automated process for dealing with automated scammers. But of course that alone won’t stop the scam.
The scammers would want to streamline the process of returning money to the alert fraction who notice the fraudulent charges. That’s a business expense. I hope it’s not deductable.
From: Jeff Cantwell
Date: 2005-08-27 19:45:16 -0500
Privasafe / OAN charged my phone bill too. I’ve filed a complaint with the FCC, FTC, Arkansas Public Service Commission, Arkansas AG’s office, NJ’s AG’s office and Southwestern Bell.
SWBell says I’ll have to take it up with OAN. SWB says I pay or they’ll cut off my phone service.
I guess I’ll be tilting at windmills this week.
From: Roy Barker
Date: 2005-08-28 00:11:08 -0500
We just received our phone bill with an "extra" charge of $7.39 collected by OAN! When I read the beginning of this Web site, with comments from all the people who have complained to authorities, the saddest thing of all is not the money I may have lost, but the fact that NO AGENCY IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!<br />
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-08-28 14:24:08 -0500
Here’s a reasonable estimate of the size of the scam OAN/Nationwide Connections is running. It’s not right but it’s not unreasonable.
On my screen this page is about 42 brower windows long. There are about 6 notes per window. People average about 2 notes each (except for me;-). So something like 126 people have posted here about being ripped off since last December. 10 dozen in 9 months. Figure 25% of all victims notice the phoney charge and eventually get their money back. Of those, maybe 1 in 10 googles OAN/NC and ends up posting here. At an average $10 per charge that works out to something like $5600/month.
You can obviously massage that number in either direction but maybe on the national scale it’s small potatoes. Maybe that’s why no agency is pursuing them.
From: Oh BOY!
Date: 2005-08-28 22:35:58 -0500
Oh boy! This is insane! I am being charged $15 and change for some private email service I never signed up for either! My phone company said to file with FTC, call the OAN and ask for money back and they will not cut my service off.
Any phone company who cuts you off for long distance services are not telling the truth. You are only responsible for local service! In truth, you can call OAN and ask them where you credit on your bill is and get a confirmation #.
How about a class action suit people? Anyone know how to do that? Let’s close these ppl down!
From: Oh Boy!
Date: 2005-08-28 22:48:03 -0500
“I have spoken to OAN who tried to blame the collect call on my answering machine”
The operator who handles collect calls isn’t supposed to connect the party to an answering machine. They are supposed to say, no one is home would you like to pay for the call and leave a message? If the response is no, the operator hangs up and doesn’t charge your phone. You got some min. wager like Ginger who has no vocabulary without cussing in it and SHE calls US dumb? DUH!
From: Susan
Date: 2005-09-04 13:09:37 -0500
I just got my telephone bill yesterday and I, too, like many other people on this site received a charge on my bill for $14.95 for e-mail svcs from OAN Services, Inc. and have never signed up for e-mail other than with Compuserve, Netzero and the bigger names. I am a fairly new customer with SBC and they did take off the charge. However, after a very long dispute with SBC over six years ago for an error that occurred on their part, I came back to SBC hoping to save money. I am being very cautious with them now and if I get any other charges from OAN Services, Inc. (or any other third party charges), I will move my service to another telephone company. I am glad I am not the only one that received this charge and I also got the same recording that it was after hours. Interesting though, when I talked to SBC they called them while I was onhold to check them out and they actually talked to someone. My big question is…..are they “one in the same” and trying to get more money out of us????? It is amazing to think I am responsible for third party charges on my bill….I thought I was responsible only to paying SBC and what I have agreed to pay them? Good luck to everyone on this website!!!
From: Jim
Date: 2005-09-05 00:12:27 -0500
Add me to the list. I just got my SBC phone bill and the infamous OAN has shown up with a 5 minute collect call for $6.25. I know no collect call came in because it’s my business line. I believe I may have been charged by them a couple of years ago (I’ll have to go back and check).
Anyway, I’ll be calling SBC to complain. It’s incredible that stuff like this goes on. Something really needs to be done about it. Maybe a class action suit? An article in a national magazine? The more people that are aware of these fraudulent charges, the more uproar there will be.
I’ll let you know what happens.
From: Dan
Date: 2005-09-05 14:29:22 -0500
I got hit with a bogus charge on my Qwest bill. the amount was for 4 minutes and the bill was only $5.81. This is the second scam to come to me through Qwest this summer. I had to get very nasty' with Qwest on the first one, and I suspect I will have to get nasty’ again. The number called from is bogus and the time and date referenced would make it impossible to have called me collect at my number. It appears this has been going on for some time. I wonder why they cannot be stopped? The call I was billed for was allegedly from a Portland, OR number to one in Orchards, WA. I do not live in Portland, OR nor do I live in Orchards, WA. I wonder if Qwest can be sued for sending out phony billings?
From: Dan Flowers
Date: 2005-09-05 14:29:48 -0500
I got hit with a bogus charge on my Qwest bill. the amount was for 4 minutes and the bill was only $5.81. This is the second scam to come to me through Qwest this summer. I had to get very nasty' with Qwest on the first one, and I suspect I will have to get nasty’ again. The number called from is bogus and the time and date referenced would make it impossible to have called me collect at my number. It appears this has been going on for some time. I wonder why they cannot be stopped? The call I was billed for was allegedly from a Portland, OR number to one in Orchards, WA. I do not live in Portland, OR nor do I live in Orchards, WA. I wonder if Qwest can be sued for sending out phony billings?
From: Jim
Date: 2005-09-06 11:01:07 -0500
I posted yesterday about my SBC phone bill. I just got off the phone with them. It’s kind of odd how, when I mention a charge on my bill I want to dispute, the operator goes right to it. Anyway, she said she would remove it and the credit should show up in about 1 to 2 billing cycles. I’ll have to be keeping an eye out for it.
I did put a block on the line, but I thought I saw above that it doesn’t really help much. We’ll see.
From: mark
Date: 2005-09-06 13:37:02 -0500
i recived my verizon phone bill today and it said i called them at 5:52 in the morning theres now ay im ever up that early first of all it says its for some directory assictance crap i called verizon straight upa fter reading about the scams online verizon said i didnt have to pay it then they tried selling me dsl service =/
From: Chuck
Date: 2005-09-14 16:01:01 -0500
I have been charged about $5 3 different times by OAN or Nationwide connections, Inc. in the last 18 months or so. One bogus collect call from southern Minnesota and the last two from Montana, same city, Ronan. I simply alert Qwest, they adjust my bill and I don’t pay it. However, I wonder why Qwest doesn’t press charges against this outfit. Any body know?
From: Sue
Date: 2005-09-15 18:51:19 -0500
Had a $5 charge for a collect call from Boise on my Qwest bill today. Similar situation in May, which I ignored - this time my fraud hackles were up. One call to Qwest and I was told they could do nothing blah blah blah. When I called OAN, I got a recording saying that their system was down - so I called Qwest back and had an absolute COW and told them I simply wasn’t paying it and they could go to OAN and try to get the money themselves. The second person told me she would take care of having OAN drop the charge. So, there. In my mind, if Qwest is going to put something on my bill, they can’t force me to go to Timbuktu to have it removed - it’s their problem. WHO has time to waste on crap like this? So frustrating. . .
From: john_3000
Date: 2005-09-19 13:15:14 -0500
Thinking it might make it easier for new victims, I’ve collected the URLs of the online complaint forms here:
http://members.cox.net/john.w.mckown/OAN_ripoff.html
From: Delma Shumaker
Date: 2005-09-20 08:33:11 -0500
I too have fallen victim to OANWEB. The only difference is that my call was suppose to be from Mexico for 17 minutes and in the amount of $17.90. We don’t know anybody in Mexico. Besides,we do not answer the phone if the caller id shows unknown name and number or private name and number. I have contacted the FCC and hopefully with all the complaints about this scam,they will do something about them.
From: Ron
Date: 2005-09-20 09:38:03 -0500
Just got my BellSouth bill Had a 6.25 collect call for 6.25. I new this had to be incorrect no one was home at that time. The charge was for 6.25. I have noticed others say the same charge rate on this site that really got me wondering.
I asked the Bell South rep who did not seem to know anything about them and wanted me to call the OAN 800 number. I called and talked to someone who gave me her first name and ID number for tracking. She could not give me anything about who made this collect call. I did find that interesting because I thought all names calling collect, I thought were always kept. At least it use to be.
From: JE
Date: 2005-09-21 17:54:13 -0500
Received similar fraudulent collect-call charge (supposedly an Aug. 5 collect call from Salem, OR that lasted 9 minutes) for $6.80 plus taxes/surcharges. Called “Nationwide Connections” aka OAN and was told charge would be removed “in one or two billing cycles.” Also requested a block and filed a complaint with FTC. And the Qwest rep I spoke with (Qwest is my local phone service provider) said they’ve been swamped with similar complaints from Qwest customers about false OAN charges.
From: Billy Bob
Date: 2005-09-28 12:33:04 -0500
Got mine today! SBC billed me $7.00 for OAN Services, Inc, who says the charge is “on behalf of NATIONWIDE CONN. INC”.
The claim I received a collect call from Berthoud, CO, at a time and date when nobody was at my house!
From: Solo Art Gallery
Date: 2005-09-28 14:34:09 -0500
Thank you for the above information. It sure was a help. We were charged $5,18 for 2 minute call from a payphone in PA. The call was made on a day when our store was closed. We have called BellSout and OAN. Bellsouth said they could do nothing. “Evelyn” at OAN finally consented to drop the charge and we should be clear in two billing cycles. I have already sent a ecomaplaint to the FCC site and will move on to the FTC and Florida sites listed above. Will write and let people know how this turns out. We are warning friends and family to be on the lookout.
From: Paul Gumerman
Date: 2005-09-28 17:44:01 -0500
Charges of 7.75 on my September Verizon bill. Verizon has removed the charge, with the warning that OAN may try to collect directly. I’ve filed the online FCC complaint, and will do the FTC one next.
I’ve been trying to reach another human at Verizon to demand that they block ALL future charges from OAN, but have been unable to do so — “Because of an emergency, your call cannot be answered at this time."
From: Karen
Date: 2005-09-30 22:09:57 -0500
Got an OAN bill today on my Verizon bill - 9 minutes from NY NY Collect - charge was 6.80. Called the OAN number - 1-800-944-9646 and person told me they would remove from bill after asking if anyone was home to accept the call and I said “no”. Am also filing with ftc - thanks, everybody for posting your situations.
From: Mandy
Date: 2005-10-02 06:24:52 -0500
Just received my Sprint phone bill and it listed charges from OAN, processed by Nationwide Connect Inc. The charge is for 6.94 and was placed from Syracuse, NY. Just the same as listed above, there was no one at home at the supposed time of this call, and there is no record of the call on our Caller ID. Sure am glad I found your site prior to reeming out my husband, lol. I will be pursuing this matter . . . THANKS AGAIN!
From: Susan
Date: 2005-10-04 11:34:08 -0500
October 4, 2005
Just an update… I received one of the unauthorized collect calls from OAN on my voicemail and a month and a half later it came in on my Verizon bill. I went out to Google and found this site (Thanks so MUCH for being here) last night and filed a complaint with the FCC and the FTC and then this morning I called Verizon and the customer service rep sent the charge back to Oan as an unauthorized charge. FYI… She also said that you can put a block on unauthorized billing to your account for FREE. I like FREE. She also informed me that there is a law that says the carriers must allow other carriers to put charges on their bills and that there are several of the companies that are in court trying to get this law changed. AND she receives several of these complaints a day. I told her about this site so she could check it out. Again Thank You,
Susan
From: Berni
Date: 2005-10-05 20:09:30 -0500
Recieved Verizon bill with collect call = $7.22 for 9 mins from OAN- Nationwide. No such call existed- no such phone#.
Verizon is no help! Submitted complaint form to FCC. Will use the above info to follow up!
10/9/05
From: V Ram
Date: 2005-10-07 12:15:53 -0500
Got hit for a bogus collect call by OAN Services/Nationwide Connections, Inc. for $7.41.
Called the 800 number and was told the refund should be there in 2 billing cycles. Filled the FTC complaint, dont have the time to do much more…
From: Seraphina
Date: 2005-10-12 18:03:30 -0500
Add me to the growing list… $15.82 for a fictitious collect call from Mexico. So I made all the requisite calls and filed the requisite complaints.
Gretchen at Qwest said that they are aware of all the complaints against OAN Services, but there is nothing legally they can do. She acknowledged that OAN is making Qwest look bad.
I suggested that Qwest might appease its annoyed customers slightly by keeping a tally of complaints and passing it along monthly to the FTC and FCC. If all the major telecom companies did this every month, the feds would have some idea of the scope of this scam.
From: l
Date: 2005-10-21 00:28:15 -0500
It looks like Iowa may take these things seriously… Give ’em hell, Iowa!
http://www.state.ia.us/government/com/util/_private/Orders/2005/0913_fcu0552.pdf
From: Liz
Date: 2005-10-21 11:44:08 -0500
Bogus OAN charges for the second time here. This one collect on a night we were out of town. So outrageous this continues to go on!!! Fililng complaint right now…
From: Jesse
Date: 2005-10-24 15:33:16 -0500
2nd time here also, calls to 3 different “800” numbers listed for OAN, all automated phone menus with hangups at the end (“Please hang up and dial a number if you’d like to make a call!”). QWest says there’s nothing they can do about it. We haven’t tried FCC or State AG yet. Past AG experience has been months-long process. What to do??? OAN must be getting very rich!
From: Marilyn
Date: 2005-10-24 18:31:37 -0500
My Verizon bill came Friday but I didn’t open it till Sunday and it was for more than I expected. Local service and DSL - same amount every month but not this month. On 9/25 at 2:10 pm we susposedly received a collect call from Cambridge MA 617-354-5985. Since I have unlimited long distance on my wireless, I tried to call the number and got a carrier signal. I either reached a computer or a fax machine. Wonder which one called here collect? Anyway, since it was sunday, I emailed Verizon and today got back an email stating they would refund the 6.88 until they investigate at which time we may see the charge re-instated. After reading all the postings, I am worried we may see additional charges in the future. I also tried to call the 800-944-9646 OAN # and got disconnected every time the call was being transferred. I tried at least 6 times. I think I will report this scam to my local newspaper and to Concord (NH).
From: Marianne
Date: 2005-10-24 20:07:10 -0500
I too saw a charge on our Verizon bill for $5.25 for a collect call from Hollywood, FL. The call was on a day when we were not even in town. When I emailed Verizon billing to dispute the charge, this is the response I got:
Thank you for contacting the Verizon eCenter. My name is Pamela.
This message is in response to your email dated October 19, 2005. You inquired about collect calls charge.
Unfortunately, Verizon is not authorized to handle any inquiries on behalf of Nationwide Connections.
Verizon has an agreement with your provider that allows us only to place their charges on your Verizon bill for your convenience. This agreement prohibits us from processing any credits to the charges for which they bill you.
Please contact Nationwide Connections directly for assistance.
Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business.
Sincerely,
Pamela
Verizon eCenter
Fantastic, huh? What a help. They ARE claiming they do not have any authorization here YET they are more than willing to place a FAKE phone call on my bill. I have emailed Verizon again, to several different departments, and informed them that I believe it is irresponsible for them to continue to place these charges on their customer’s bills when they are aware that this is a scam.
SOOO helpful too. Told me to call Nationwide Connections but did not provide me with a number. Now I will have to complain to Verizon about their crappy customer service too.
I agree that it is unbelieveable that no one has stopped these people yet. I am going to write a letter to my Congressman, Tom Davis, and I will be printing out all the postings here and sending them along. Hopefully his office can get some action. I would ask all of you to do likewise.
From: Doug
Date: 2005-10-25 09:50:50 -0500
I just got stuck with a 6.95 bill and no help from Bell South. How can OAN get away with obvious fraud?
From: Marianne
Date: 2005-10-25 11:35:45 -0500
Verizon stepped up to the plate after I sent them about 3 emails confronting them on this issue last night. My subject was: “Forward this to your supervisor."
Here is the response
Thank you for contacting the Verizon eCenter. My name is Pamela, and I will be handling your request today.
This message is in response to your email dated October 24, 2005. You inquired about collect call charge. I will be happy to assist you.
We apologize for the inconvenience to you. Verizon has processed a credit of $5.41 to your account. You may hear are receive a separate bill in regards of the charge from Nationwide Connections in the future.
You will see the credit on your next bill.
Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business.
Sincerely,
Pamela
Verizon eCenter
In addition to the email I sent to Verizon, I filed a complaint with the FCC, FTC and the State of Florida. Links are here:
http://members.cox.net/john.w.mckown/OAN_ripoff.html
It is unbelieveable that this is being allowed to continue.
From: Carol
Date: 2005-10-25 15:09:56 -0500
I also received a charge on my Verizon Phone bill for OAN Services $6.25 with taxes .70 total $6.95. I called the OAN billing number and was disconnected after being transfered to a service rep, then called Nationwide Conn Inc number and funny thing it was the exact same voice mail and of course I was disconnected. Then I called Verizon and was told that they could not help because this is 3rd party billing. After I told her my experience, she made a third party call with me on the line and waited for 20 minutes of terrible disco music. Then all the sudden I was told that Verizon would give me the credit.
Getting ready right now to file complaints with Fla AG and FCC.
From: Jill
Date: 2005-10-28 11:37:57 -0500
I received a charge of $7.77 on my phone bill for a collect call from mexico on 9/25. We were not in town on 9/25, nor did the call show up on my caller id.
I called OAN services and they immediately told me they could not refund the charge. I told her that was unacceptable and I wanted to be connected to their fraud department. After 20 minutes of arguing with her…I mean I was screaming at her…she told me she would refund the charge in 1-2 billing cycles.
I then called Verizon to let them know, the very nice lady put collect call blocks on my phone line and made sure that my account was credited. She told me to call the fcc at 1 888 225 5322 to lodge a formal complaint.
From: Steve
Date: 2005-10-28 18:32:28 -0500
OAN is still at it! Noticed a 3 minute collect call from Council Bluffs, IA (from a pay phone 712-366-9914 supposedly on Sept 11 …. hmmmm that date is significant. Is this telephone terrorism???).
After finding this website, I called OAN (800 9444-9646) and talked with a rep (Dayner, Operator #131) who said he would reverse the charges in “1 or 2 cycles.” When I commented that my Qwest bill indicated that OAN was a “new service provider” he said the were “not a service provider.” I wanted to be sure that I was not being “slammed” as well.
I used the FCC complaint site: “http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm"
to add to the the case I hope they are building.
Plan to call Qwest to try to get them to block any charges from OAN but don’t have much hope, based on the above comments.
From: Angela
Date: 2005-10-31 14:22:37 -0600
Included on my Qwest bill was a charge from a third party provider, OAN Services, for $7.82 (that’s including taxes). They say I called directory assistance 702-555-1212 or 10 15 15 800 on September 27th (a one minute call). This is a scam. I called OAN. They quickly said they would credit $7.17 (not the same amount as the total) and it would show up on my bill in a couple of months. I said “Why not credit the full $7.82 amount”? She said “I don’t know what your taxes are mam’”. I asked “So do I have to pay this now and wait to be credit”? She said, “I can not tell you how to pay your bill”. I asked her “How did this charge get on my bill in the first place? and How do I keep charges like this from showing up on my bill in the future? she said “Don’t call directory assistance and you won’t get it on your bill.” This is assuredly not true. We will have to wait and see if they will credit me. It’s hard to believe that they will.
I also called Qwest. I told Qwest I would not be paying that part of the bill and that it was a scam. I also asked Qwest to only bill me for their services and if anyone else wants to bill me they can send me a bill themselves. She said Qwest could not do that. And she also said that they (Qwest) do not know anything about the companies charging as 3rd party providers on their bill. I would think that if a phone company was going to associate with another company so extensively as to send a bill for them, they would want to know who the other company was and be sure they were valid and not scamming their customers on their own bill.
The Qwest billing rep said that they recieve endless complaints about OAN and it is a common problem but she was not at liberty to talk about it. She also said that Qwest could not do anything about. I guess they just don’t want to.
From: Shirley
Date: 2005-11-01 01:58:23 -0600
My Qwest phone bill today includes a charge of $7.39 and .22 Federal excise tax at 3%. Yep, OAN is at it again. Apparently I somehow managed to call directory assistance for a “Gabe Alvarez” in Reno, Nevada; my goodness, this ‘call’ lasted all of 2 minutes and costs $7.39. I even managed to place this call from Idaho while I was stuck in Hurricane Rita traffic in Texas. Imagine that. The Qwest customer service lady, “Kim”, insisted they’d never heard of this OAN company, then somehow magically managed to connect me directly to the OAN service representative, “Noleia”. “Noleia” states that she will seek “authorization” to credit this charge back on my Qwest bill in “2-3 billing cycles.” Where the hell is the FTC and every state’s attorney general in this matter? OAN (Willoughby Farr - and pals)is a well-known scammer going back to 1998, ha’s been shut down over and over only to pop up again. The real question is, how do we stop our local phone companies from playing their damn game. Any ideas?
From: Adam
Date: 2005-11-01 17:48:46 -0600
West Star and OAN tired to hit me one our Sprint bill. The said it was for a collect call from Mexico, but at the time no one was home, there is no record of the call and I have tried their 1-800 number and get put on hold repeatedly.
From: Adam
Date: 2005-11-01 18:14:34 -0600
Just filled out the complaints with the FTC and FCC.
From: Adam
Date: 2005-11-01 18:16:29 -0600
West Star and OAN tired to hit me one our Sprint bill. The said it was for a collect call from Mexico, but at the time no one was home, there is no record of the call and I have tried their 1-800 number and get put on hold repeatedly.
From: Therese
Date: 2005-11-02 17:04:12 -0600
I just recieved my bill, for Enhanced Voice Mail services, seems they piggy backed charges onto our phone bill because my 13 year old signed up for music tracks that were free. because he started to enter the information, they were able to get the phone number. they automatically added the 15.79 a month charge to our bill, even tho my son did not complete the application, they had enough information to charge us, and had already sent the charges for the next month to our phone company. another scam in the maing that we were able to catch before it went to far. They said in the fine print if you check the box that says I accept these terms and conditions you are agreeing to the charges.
The charges have been removed from the bill so they say.
From: Jesse
Date: 2005-11-03 13:21:26 -0600
Later (after my earlier report, above): I filed FCC complaint, not acknowledged; filed State AG complaint, not acknowledged; sent stories to 3 local and 3 national on-air broadcasters, not acknowledged except for one national broadcaster whose autoresponse was (send offical story suggestion gift-wrapped on official form). I have thought to send letters to our state’s US representatives and senators, but I’m beginning to feel now, what’s the use? This is my last post here, but I’ll watch all your posts in case someone comes up with a good idea…
From: Paul
Date: 2005-11-06 23:57:57 -0600
I just saw an OAN Services charge on my Verizon bill for my business.
The charge is for a collect call I never received and did not authorize, supposedly made Oct 13 at 7:04 PM from White Bird, ID (208-839-9498). $7.75 for 11 minutes.
I just filed my FCC complaint and will call Verizon and ask for a 3 way call, and ask them to block charges from OAN on all my bills. I also am going to check past bills… OAN sounds vaguely familiar, and I’m hoping I did not pay any past bills without smelling this rat!
P.S.
I noticed that the billing info reads: “Billing on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Inc.” and then gives their phone number 1-800-944-9646.
I loved the abbreviation: Nationwide Conn.
From: D from Ohio
Date: 2005-11-07 12:42:12 -0600
I am tired of these dishonest companies! I got ripped on the collect call to Mexico, too. I am in the process of filing all the necessary complaints, and then notifying my state representatives. What I really want to know is, has anyone here filed a Class Action lawsuit? We need to take these bastards down!!!
P.S. Sprint customers: Sprint receives several complaints per week about OAN. Simply demand that they remove the charges. They will force OAN to bill you separately, and of course, you know this will not happen.
From: Tim B
Date: 2005-11-08 10:00:04 -0600
***
I too was recently a victim of OAN. I was charged $6.44 on the 8th of October, 2005 for a collect call from a payphone in Iowa. Of course, no such call ever occurred. I immediately called QWEST (my local carrier) the next day after receiving the bill to dispute the charges. QWEST’s policy, according to Tanya, is that third party charges are out of its hands and that they send charges back to the company that made the third party call. If you do not also dispute the charge with the third party company, that third party company may pursue the money using a collection agency. I had Tanya directly call OAN for a three-way call between me and Jessica from OAN and had Tanya explain my dispute for me. Jessica gave me a confirmation number, told me that in 1-2 cycles (30-60 days) my money be refunded, and blocked any future collect calls from OAN. I asked Jessica if she was aware that her company makes many fraudulent phone calls and did not receive a response. After Jessica disconnected, I told Tanya that it would be in her and QWEST’s best interest if they pursued this company legally to show QWEST’s customers they are doing something about fraud. She said she would keep it in mind. I doubt QWEST will do any such thing, but really hope that I get my money back.
Tim
From: shirley
Date: 2005-11-16 01:53:31 -0600
First post here was on Oct. 31. So, today I called Qwest to see if Oan Services has credited my Qwest account. The Qwest rep said “yes, it shows a credit, but will take 1 - 2 billing cycles to show up on your bill.” AND the credit was for just $7.17, not the full $7.39 that included the 3% excise tax. I asked the Qwest rep why I had to pay .22 cents tax for a fraudulent charge that has already been credited to my account, she said, “it’s a Federal tax that Oan has to pay whether the call is valid or not.” No no no, Oan didn’t pay this .22 cents, I just paid the .22 cents. So who gets to keep the .22 cents? I can’t imagine Oan or whoever they are these days turning around and paying the IRS this tax money - what? admit to a fraud and then pay the tax on it like a real company? Qwest rep said that Qwest doesn’t get the .22 cents, that goes to Oan and then whatever Oan does with it is up to them. Give me a break! The Qwest rep did say that she gets about 3 or 4 of these Oan calls a day, and it’s gone on for a long time. Can’t Qwest do anything about this? Nope, she says the FCC has ruled they must allow communication company third-party billing. Hmmmm, guess it did a lot of good for me to file the complaint with the FCC. Soooooo, my next call is to the IRS. I want my .22 cents worth!
From: John_3000
Date: 2005-11-16 15:58:32 -0600
I like the new format of this page except my browsers don’t show any labels for the fields so it’s hard to figure out how to post. Best thing to do is hit Preview and then edit there where you can see what’s what
It’s interesting OAN is keeping the tax in some cases. They refunded it to me. Don’t give up on the FCC:
http://members.cox.net/john.w.mckown/OAN_ripoff.html
From: shirley
Date: 2005-11-17 00:37:55 -0600
First post was on Oct. 31, re. Oan’s directory assistance to Nevada. Just got a response from our Idaho Attorney General, clearly a form letter, but it is addressed to OAN Services (OAN rep. refused to give me their address, she said “it is not available.” So - their letter is addressed to
OAN Services, Inc.
600 Congress, Suite b, Garden L
Austin, TX 78701
Our Att. Gen. letter states they must “respond to each allegation in the complaint in writing” and within 14 days. Also in bold print and underlined is “A business response form letter is available online at our Homepage www.idaho.gov/ag
Well, I looked at this form letter that Oan is supposed use for a reply. Hmmmm, big deal. Seriously, this adds insult to injury. When I get OAN’s response, I’ll post here. This should be good…..
From: gemma
Date: 2005-11-18 00:37:39 -0600
I just got my sprint bill today and noticed 2 bills from OAN of $9.99 pr minute dated 9/25/05 for calling 900-622-800.None of us called this number nor received a call.SECOND: our phone is unlisted and we were busy that day w/ my daughter’s birthday party. PLAN: 1. contact sprint through email since they are currently closed 2. call sprint tomorrow am and if they dont help me I’ll take my business elsewhere 3. file complaint at FCC, FTC, BBB 4. contact chanel news. wish me luck.
Las Vegas,NV
From: Marty
Date: 2005-11-18 15:45:49 -0600
Like the above posts I too have been “crammed” I took the time to go through all the posts and I would say the majority are from Qwest costomers. Had my bill mechanically adjusted and will continue to complain to Qwest for allowing this to happen. Will contact the state of WA and see what they will do.
From: Donna
Date: 2005-11-19 15:56:13 -0600
Nationwide Connections has been doing this for a long time and OAN/BIC seem to be going along with it. I was also Billed by NWC by OAN.
Contact
Denise Phillips at 210-949-7404 and ask her why this does not stop if you don’t get anywhere with her call Melissa Gambill at 210-949-7129 and see what she says about their scam. Probably get the same run around I got from them. Willoughby Farr of NWC has been at it a long time and knows how to play the game with these Billing companies. They must be getting more than a fee from NWC and Teleseven and the rest of these companies listed.
From: Joanna
Date: 2005-11-20 02:14:40 -0600
I just received my Qwest phone bill with a charge of $7.54 from OAN. I immediately Google’d OAN and found a ton of fraudulant charges made by this company! I’m glad I haven’t paid my bill yet because I never made this call they are charging me for.
How are they allowed to be added to Qwest’s bill if they aren’t even associated with them?!
I am going to call Qwest and get a 3-way conversation to hash this out. I will not pay for a fraudulant call.
After all the postings I have read, why isn’t the government stopping this?!!!!!! A class action suit is in order here!
Joanna
From: ken
Date: 2005-11-21 17:05:56 -0600
I received my Verizon bill with OAN Services, but I was not familiar with this company name and had no idea about a 7 minute collect call made from Las Vegas. I told a Verizon representative that whatever services OAN provide to me, do not accept and block. After I found this page and knew that a scam like this has been hanging around for a year, I am shocked.
From: Robert
Date: 2005-11-21 19:01:55 -0600
OAN Services are simply rippy people off and a Class action Suit by the US Govt.is justified..What right has SBC have to include these billings along with ones monthly billing?
From: Miki
Date: 2005-11-25 05:05:33 -0600
5.41 charge on my last SBC bill for a call I did not make. I do not know the who the number belongs to, and I am not about to call it only so they have a legitimate reason to bill me! I have a long distance plan and I am well under my monthly minutes. I can think of no legitimate reason to find this on my bill. This is not the first time I’ve been hit by these guys.
From: Patty
Date: 2005-11-28 14:41:37 -0600
Got my phone bill a couple of days ago, seems I made a diretory assistance call to Nevada for 2 minutes at a total cost including all the taxes of $7.75. Of course like the rest of you, I never made the call. OAN needs to be put out of business! JERKS! I called a Rep. at Qwest and told her I wouldn’t be paying for the charge she thanked me and said have a nice day. Also filed a complaint with the FCC.
From: Paul Lepley
Date: 2005-11-28 17:27:43 -0600
Write to the Federal Trade Commission (in addition to the FCC). They must receive written complaints of the activity; they cannot use your posting on this website. If they receive enough valid complaints, THEY WILL TAKE ACTION! It will be necessary for you to sign an affidavit that they can use in court.
In response to my complaint, they called me and sent me a prepaid FedEx envelop for copies of my phone bill and other supporting documentation. Once that is reviewed, they will send an affidavit for your signature, again by prepaid FedEx.
In your complaint, be sure to include your name, address and phone number.
Here is the address:
Sarah Gleich
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20580
You could call her (202-326-2754) except that she will be away from her office for the next two weeks.
From: scott
Date: 2005-11-29 11:46:34 -0600
Just got my companies Verizon bill and buried in it was $19.50 in OAN charges. Called Verizon and got the usual we have to allow them to put on bill. He said he never heard of OAN, Highly doubt that. My bills with Verizon average over $1,000 a month and when I threatened to switch phone services he quickly credited me the $19.50. Slamming sucks
From: Carole
Date: 2005-12-02 00:35:36 -0600
Scammed on my bill for last month, 11/03/05. $8.01 from OAN for a collect call received from a number in Omaha, NE. I call the number and it said the number does not accept imcoming calls, hummm. Calling Qwest and sending a complaint to Colorado State Attorney General and BBB.
From: sonny
Date: 2005-12-03 09:37:38 -0600
Just for the record – they got me too. $6.80 for a collect call from Brooklyn NY on 9/17/05. 718-434-3143. I have attempted to call the 800-944-9646 # with only bad music as a result. Verizon was not helpful at all, as a matter of fact, rude. Their rep said she could get through and after 15 minutes of waiting I hung up. I will file with FCC and FTC and send copies to anyone here in FL who will listen.
How long can these people continue? I have researched this for a month now and am amazed at how many people have been scammed. Just imagine that what you see here on the internet is only the tip of the iceberg?
From: Walter
Date: 2005-12-03 15:40:38 -0600
Just got my Verizon Bill with OAN Services, Inc. charges totalling 13.70. I’ll send report to MA Attorney General and talk to Verizon Monday. If anyone wants the form for Massachusetts complaint:
http://www.ago.state.ma.us/filelibrary/ccboth.pdf
From: Shawntel
Date: 2005-12-05 17:06:46 -0600
I just recieved my phone bill from my phone company Consolidated Communications and noticed an unusual charge from United Voice(OAN Services Inc)for some kind of voice message service. It is impossible for me to have accepted the call considering that I was out of town at the time. No one was at my home to recieve a call. Now that I am trying to reach OAN Services it is nearly impossible. THe helpful operator at COnsolidated Communications tried and all we were able to do was reach a recording. Please check your local and long distance bills. I am contacting the local media in my area to notify them so that they may notify the public about this company.
From: Sherry
Date: 2005-12-06 10:59:46 -0600
So mad at OAN and Sprint-how can they get away with this? Read on another site to tell OAN that you want and investigation and threaten with the FTC,FCC and a lawyer, and that should get results. They told us the same thing about 2 billing cycles but Sprint did credit us right away today. Last night one young man told me I have to pay it or Sprint might disconnect our landline. Nice huh? Pay blackmailers or lose your phone. Of course we have no choice in our area it is Sprint service or no service!
Something needs to be done about these guys getting rich off of people-is this becoming the american way? I sure hope not!!!!!!!!!!
From: Christine
Date: 2005-12-07 11:04:37 -0600
We also received the same time of questionable charges from OAN. I called our telephone company and requested that third-party billing be blocked from our service. Also, I contacted OAN - using the number on my bill, and spoke with Irma (Rep 145). She said they would issue me a credit. When I asked for a confirmation number she told me this should be plenty of information. Yeah Right! I sent a letter to the FCC.
From: Joyce
Date: 2005-12-08 18:59:30 -0600
Thanks for all the great input. Received my Verizon bill with bogus $7.41 charge & called Nationwide who claim I will see credit in 1-2 months. Additionally, filed a complaint with FTC; copy follows. (Product Name: Billed for bogus collect call.) I called OAN/Nationwide phone# listed on my Verizon phone bill to ask that $7.41 charge be credited to me as I have proof I was working on 10/31/05 at 2:37pm and since I live alone there was no possible way for me to have accepted a collect call. Please go to http://www.seebs.net/log/archives/000237.html to see 57 pages of complaints regarding the same company from only the past year. They are scamming customers of Verizon, Quest, SBC, etc. and should be stopped and heavily fined by the FTC. They are fraudulently making millions from people who either don’t closely examine their bills or don’t have the time or know how to dispute and complain. I have over 10 years experience in telecom and short of a scandal where modem calls were disconnected and rerouted to Moldova this is the most heinous display of fraud I’ve ever seen. If I can help you in any way, please contact me. I have been able to find out that OANservices.com was a site owned by ACI Billing Services and registered in the name of Steve Rosenthal; srosenth@oanservices.com. Perhaps this will help in your investigation. I am also looking into notifying the Attorney General. If monthy they fraudulently bill two million people an average of $10 and 2% pay, they are making $400,000 monthly ILLEGALLY!
From: Jeff
Date: 2005-12-14 04:57:42 -0600
Just wanted to let people know that there is something being done about this issue.
I filed a complaint with the FCC back in March/April. I have been contacted by a lawyer with the FTC who is investigating this issue.
The wheels of government grind slowly, but they DO MOVE.
File those complaints if you haven’t already. They will be looked at.
From: May
Date: 2005-12-18 20:57:13 -0600
Just got dinged for $4.75 for a collect call from Arizona on my SBC bill. I’m not clear on who to contact: FTC or FCC? Would someone please advise? I am in California. Thanks.
From: Steve
Date: 2005-12-19 02:01:39 -0600
Add me to the list of targets. Just received a charge on my SBC bill from OAN that says it’s “Billed on Behalf of NATIONWIDE CONN. INC” for a collect 4 minute call from Colordo Springs, CO 719-636-9424. I don’t know anyone from Colorado. Of course this is a fraudulent charge. This is second time this year I’ve gotten a charge from OAN. If I remember correctly, SBC simply credited my account last time. I’ll call them tomorrow morning to do this same again. In the interim, I just filed a complaint with the FCC.
From: Matt
Date: 2005-12-19 10:34:22 -0600
Another OAN/Nationwide Connections Collect Call scam here - with Qwest as my local phone company (in Colorado). $4.75 billed for a collect call when I was not home. Qwest happily credited my account but told me that OAN would try to bill them again unless I called OAN and disputed it. Tried to call OAN and only got Xmas music for about 10 minutes, then finally the music stopped - dead air for another minute, so I hung up. I also filled out the FCC form on their website.
From: Venkat
Date: 2005-12-19 12:51:00 -0600
Add one more to the list of victims. I just got a bill from Verizon with a $6.80 charge from Nationwide Connections for a collect call from some Florida number. Called the 800 number and disputed it. “Patty” the rep said it had to have been accepted, and I said that I could prove that no one was home that exact date and time. Then she agreed to credit the amount. I plan on writing to FCC and FTC. Apparently Verizon can restrict any third party from billing to your account, so take advantage of that and the collect call blocking.
From: Gabor M. Korody
Date: 2005-12-19 13:07:54 -0600
OAN Services/Nationwide Conn. Inc. have hit me too, collect call from Las Vegas, 8 minutes = $6.80 on my November Verizon bill. Called their number 800 944-9646. After interminable waits and noises on the line an unmotivated, disinterested woman came on the line and after I told her we did not get such a call, promised a “courtesy credit” to appear on our bill in 1-3 billing cycles. I shall keep a note to remind me and watch for it. Why does Verizon do business with such shady characters? Or are they obligated to do so by law?
Gabor
From: K.Lohr
Date: 2005-12-20 10:16:27 -0600
Our company was hit by these scammers and luckily, SBC gave us a credit and stated that we were the 5th person to call that particular operator that day about the charges. This company is obviously taking advantage of people and companies by billing in small increments, so that no one will notice. I filed fraud complaints with FCC and FTC. Get them!
From: May
Date: 2005-12-20 21:34:48 -0600
I was charged for a collect call from Arizona (see “May” above). I called the 800 number and was told the charge would be reversed on one to two billing cyles. We’ll see. Does anyone know how OAN picks their victims? Is it people who have used 10-10 dial-arounds as I have? Or is it completely random?
From: L. Williams
Date: 2005-12-23 12:26:59 -0600
I too was scammed by OAN and Nationwide Conn. (should be con). I know it was only under $7 but this is crazy! It got me so upset I could not get to sleep. I feel like someone has just tried to help themselves to $7 out of my wallet. I wonder if they were sold my phone number from Primus after I cancelled my long distance service with them. They got the phone number from somewhere(it is unlisted). Are the phone companies involved and in on a payoff with these types of companies? One wonders! I have told everyone at work, friends and family to watch out for them. I am reporting them to the FCC. Keep up the good working trying to get rid of this company or companies.
From: Erin
Date: 2005-12-23 14:06:55 -0600
I got a fake collect call from Plant City, Fl. I called Verizon and they said I had to call the company. The verizon lady did suggest I block collect calls. I’m not sure if this will help. I called 800-944-9646 and got through right away. The woman was very nice and said she would credit my account. I found it odd that she knew all the specifics of the call, seconds after I gave my phone number. I filed a complaint with the FTC about the fake collect call, but now I’m nervous OAN is going to fake charge me again.
From: paul
Date: 2005-12-26 21:28:50 -0600
got me too… oan 2 times and zero plus dialing 1 time … wrote to fcc …. same story verizon won’t take it off the bill but what makes it worse is we have paid all verizon charges every month… we deduct the scam amounts… so verizon charges us late fee interest on the unpaid amount 1.25% a month
From: Dave
Date: 2005-12-27 15:39:04 -0600
OK, pure BS, just noticed a collect call charge for $6.44 from OAN Nationwide Connections, Inc., called the # from my cell phone, (free long distance) and # has been disconnected. Called Nationwide Connections, they said that it was a pay phone, and probably from a friend or relative in trouble. BS, have no friends or relatives in New York, and the call was at 10 at night, only ones answering the phone at that time are my wife and I, so they said they will credit the bill back. Also called Bell South and they said they would request a credit through them also. Definetly sounds like a scam, probably many thousands of people don’t even “bother” with the charge cause it’s so small, but all those $5-$6 charges sure are adding up for them.
From: JoAnn Kool
Date: 2005-12-28 11:41:08 -0600
I got a bill on my quest billing from oan saying it cost 7.39 for directory assistance. The time and day coinsides with a 800# call that had nothing to do with a directory assistance call. I called OAN and they readily agreed to take the charges off. I then called Quest and said they had no right to put these false charges on our Quest billing. I am going to file a complaint with the ftc also to try to help keep these false charges off our bills.
From: Mountain View Espresso
Date: 2005-12-30 00:02:39 -0600
My business has been billed for a BOGUS collect call from Independence Oregon to Brewster Washington. I’m glad I googled Nationwide Conn, Inc. and found the fraud reports. What’s the best way to respond?
From: Don U.
Date: 2005-12-31 11:14:44 -0600
This site is very helpful! I too have rec. a collect call for $8 from nationwide Conn. inc.!
This kind of garbage makes you want to learn how you can bill people for services they never receive! It does not seem as if the phone comp. care who puts charges on your bill and also seems to almost defend these SOB’s.
From: anita
Date: 2006-01-02 12:20:04 -0600
This is the second month I have charges on my phone bill from oan services. I also called and they removed the previous charges. I also requested to Version to block all collect calls. No such luck! This month the same charges of $7.14 were on my bill.he billing showed the first charges deleated but the new charges were there. Were is our protection?
Why hasn’t this scamm been delt with by our gov? And the phone companies?
From: Dwight
Date: 2006-01-03 09:19:05 -0600
It’s still going on. I got a charge on my Verizon bill for $5.73 from OAN, for a collect call that I never received. I called Verizon and they said they can’t do anything, and that I should call OAN. They also said they have experienced no problems with OAN! From all the posts on here, that’s obviously not the case. I called OAN and they said they would issue a credit in 1 to 2 billing cycles. They said they are billing for Nationwide Connections. It’s absurd that this is still going on. I haven’t filed complaints yet, but I will.
From: Mike
Date: 2006-01-04 23:12:39 -0600
What will it take to stop these scammers?I just got a bill on my Qwest bill from OAN Services on behalf of Nationwide Connections, Inc for $6.25 for a collect call from a payphone in CA. I never recieved a collect call from anyone, so I knew right away, something was not right. I called the 1800 number listed and talked to a lady who was able to tell me when and where the call origniated. I told her I never recieved the call, and she said OK, we will reverse the charges.
That is what made me think this was a scam. When was the last time you disputed anything, and didn’t have to actually have a dispute with someone? It was like she knew exactly why I had called before I told her. It was just way too easy to get the charge reversed. Why did they trust me without any supporting evidence? Probably because they want me to be happy and not report their scam. While the people that don’t check their bills happily make them rich. Well, I’ll find out soon if they reverse the charges. I’m also going to file complaints with everyone. Hopefully one more complaint will raise someone’s attention somewhere.
From: Ceren Curmak
Date: 2006-01-06 11:57:18 -0600
I’m just another person this happened to. Oan billed on behalf of Nationwide Conn. Please someone, start this class action suit, then include me, babbabuee@hotmail.com.
From: MARK
Date: 2006-01-06 18:02:50 -0600
these crooks are terrible. I’ve been scammed by OAN and 800 Direct-Spec. Are they related?
A)800 Direst-Spec Svcs (1-800-520-2922)Billing for:800 Direct
monthly service fee = $4.25
monthly service fee = $4.25
monthly service fee = $8.50
monthly service fee = $8.50
monthly service fee = $8.50
B) OAN Services, Inc.(1-800-947-5084 /www.billview.com)** Billing for: Nationwide Connections, Inc (1-800-944-9646/www.OANWEB.com)
FR Brighton,CO=$5.41
FR Brighton,CO=$6.44
TO Dir Asst NV=$7.39
How can Qwest allow crooks to bill through Qwest? Why can’t Qwest block them from billing us? The gal at quest said just about anyone can bill your phone line for just about anything!!! She said it’s designed to help people who don’t have credit cards or checking accounts. WHAT?!?!??? Heh, Qwest, here is an idea. How about helping out those of us who pay you every month.
From: Patrick
Date: 2006-01-11 15:52:20 -0600
just got back from three weeks out of the country to discover this pleasant little surprise on my phone bill…when I called OAN, they told me that they only process collect calls from hotels and correctional facilities, and the charge would be reversed. i didn’t know about them or their history, but now that i do, i’m thinking another call to OAN and perhaps one to the BBB might be in order
From: Karen
Date: 2006-01-15 12:54:00 -0600
This is my second billing in 4 months from Oan. the first has still not been credited as indicated by Oan. $18.30. This was billing for a collect call that was indicated as accepted by me…I did not accect (wasn’t even home), nor do I know any one in Mexico where that stated call came from..I even have call intercept, and caller ID, an no call came in as the billing indicated. Now I just opened this months Verizon bill, and a new call from Oan in the amount of $5.97 is indicated billed by “Dir Assist” to a 101-515-8000 number. I called the phone operator to see where area code 101 was and she had no information on area code 101, stating it may be an internation area code..I do not know anyone in international areas. Again not my call. I did just fill out a complaint form to the fcc that someone in a posting on this page provided..the even sadder thing is that on the previous billing I had also notified Verizon, and they indicated they would put a block on my bill so calls coming in from these other providers would not appear on my bill from verizon. The verizon individual who stated she would do this said she could not stop Oan from billing me, but that the block would force Oan to send me a separate billing so I would not have to call verizon and Oan when dealing with this issue. Unfortunately the block did not work, as here I am with another Oan charge on my Verizon bill. Iwill be calling Verizon, tomorrow monday to deal yet again them and this new charge. I am so angry and frustrated at this point I could scream…it takes alot of time to deal with these charges over and over again, and it isn’t even my bill. Why isn’t the FCC reading all posts placed regarding this company…this site is not the only site on the internet with complaints….does anyone have any other ideas how this can be stopped!!!! A
From: Brett
Date: 2006-01-18 17:00:01 -0600
Thanks to Google I found this log. Today I received a $7.00 charge on my phone bill for a collect call from Colorado, with the carrier listed as Nationwide Conn. Inc. I never accept collect calls! Then I called SBC and OAN. The lady took all my info and promised an electronic credit. I think this is targeted at people who don’t review their phone bills. There must be quite a few.
From: Alexandra
Date: 2006-01-20 12:23:52 -0600
I found a directory assistance charge on by phone bill from cox for 5.52. I know I didn’t make this call and when I searched google and found this. I called OAN this morning and the first rep I spoke to said that the call was made for directory asst. in Nevada 1-702-555-1212 for a 1-800 number that had been disconnected. I asked for the number and she said they didn’t have it. I told her I didn’t use that number and to refund the charge, and she said “we can’t do that” and when I asked to speak to a supervisor and she hung up on me! I called back and got a diff. rep and went over the story again and this rep said the call was made through an access code. ??? She said she would refund the charge in one billing cycle and that was that. Has anyone had the credit refunded? I just want to make sure. I called cox and they noted my account, but I really hope there is some way this bogus company can be stopped. I am going to report them to as many places I can.
From: R. D. Hodgell
Date: 2006-01-22 23:51:04 -0600
For those of you who missed it, the Connecticut AG won a lawsuit against Qwest for “slamming” in Aug. ‘01. The Boston Business Journal reported in Jan 2000, that Qwest ranked third in ….slamming complaints. I have evidence that Qwest is doing it again, by using USBI billing service for FALSE charges by VOICENET TELEPHONE for non-existent LD calls. I requested that Qwest deny the charges and eliminate further USBI charges from my bill. This month I got credit for the previous charges, then NEW billing from USBI! Also, Qwest charged $5 for “changing” my LD service the previous month, while billing for the same bogus charges this month! I will be filing complaints with the FCC and the U.S. Attorney General, as well as the Colorado AG. I urge all of you to do the same. RDH
From: Sutton
Date: 2006-01-29 09:40:21 -0600
Long Island New York. We just received a bogus charge on our Verizon bill from OAN Services, Direct Assist NV 101-515-8000 $7.62 I believe it’s important we all post so any law enforcement who looks here sees how widespread this fraud is.
From: Travis
Date: 2006-02-02 11:49:08 -0600
Another 10-15-15-800 phone bill here. Never even heard of this service. I have also received about 5 collect call bills from OAN. What a joke!
From: Jackie
Date: 2006-02-02 21:26:13 -0600
In answer to the question “How are they able to get away with this with the local phone companies?” Easy! Money. Nationwide connections and other companies of the like pay a HUGE amount of money to do “business” with Verizon, SBC, Bellsouth, Etc’s customers. Most of the time these local companies know what’s really going on but it all boils down to money.
Going to the FCC, FTC, Etc isn’t really going to do anything, honestly. All they do is send a letter to the company in question stating that sevral people have complanied and as long as they get some kind of reply they close the case and move on. Seen it done hundreds of times. When said company gets too much “heat” they close down and set another one up. It’s just that easy.
The “free” block that these companies offer you isn’t anything more then a click of a button so that they don’t bill you again. It works but you have to get charged in order for you to get the block.
“Why does it take 2-3 billing cycles for a credit?” Well, simply put they want to use your money in the mean time. You would be surprised how many people actually pay the whole bill and wait for the credit just so they don’t have issues with their local carrier.
The best advice is watch your bills beacuse these companies aren’t going to go away anytime soon. As an Ex insider i will tell you that this is a major money making business and it’s a shame how easy it is to get away with.
From: Jon
Date: 2006-02-04 12:26:44 -0600
Yup, I just got my Qwest phone bill with a charge from OAN using the same 10 15 15 800 number for a 702-555-1212 directory assistance call from Las Vegas. The charge for a 1 minute call was $8.00. Qwest has reversed the charge but said OAN may still bill me directly…..I relish the thought. LOL
I’ll be filing with the FCC and And the AZ AG on Monday morning. Thanks for this log, it was very helpful.
From: jacobs
Date: 2006-02-04 18:28:45 -0600
I got my telephone bill today and look at the charges and see a $15.40 charge from oan. According to them i agreeded for email services but my computers been down for two months. somebody needs to get these fools.
From: tanya eddy
Date: 2006-02-06 20:16:50 -0600
i called last month because i got the same bill for 15.41 i got another one today i have never asked for this service and all i want is to be credited for the times you have billed me for i believe that this is only fair so please take me off of what ever you got me on because i did not order it and please credit my phone bill asap or i will take further steps in this matter thank you tanya
From: Glenn Schabel
Date: 2006-02-07 20:57:13 -0600
We too just received a bogus charge on our Verizon bill from OAN Services, Direct Assist NV 101-515-8000 $7.62
We are also located on Long Island. NY.
I plan on fighting it.
From: Brett
Date: 2006-02-08 16:49:01 -0600
Good news. I called OAN about a bogus $7.00 charge for a collect call on Jan 18th. Just got my new bill and OAN ACTUALLY CREDITED me for the bogus call, as promised.
Still, I filed a complaint with the FTC last month after this happened. No word yet from the FTC. But I see that Nationwide Connections has been sued for slamming before.
People need to be educated about checking their phone bills. This is the only way to cut off the funding for this scam.
From: JasonYuen
Date: 2006-02-13 09:31:47 -0600
HI!I am from Boston,Massachusetts.I receive this AOn services tooo,When i am at work on dat daiii.OAN service is a scam.
From: Dan
Date: 2006-02-13 12:31:39 -0600
After contacting my state AG office via the website about a “Don’t Call” violation by ODYSSEY EMAIL SERVICES, now this month I found a charge on my phone bill from them of $14.95 and $.45 Federal Tax for a Total $15.40.
I emailed SBC, my local phone service provider, and asked them to remove this charge as I had requested no such service. Here is their reply:
Thank you for your recent email.
SBC Midwest is a billing agent for many carriers. You must contact OAN Services, Inc directly at 1-800-441-9678, Mon - Fri: 5A to 7P (PST) Sat: 5A to 6P (PST) to resolve this issue. Until you reach a successful resolution with OAN Services, Inc we are putting the amount of $15.40 in claim on their behalf. If after contacting the carrier, you are unable to reach an acceptable resolution, please advise our customer care center at 1-800-742-8771, Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-9PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM (LOCAL) Closed Sunday & SBC Holidays.
You may receive a survey asking if you are completely satisfied with the service I provided to you today. If you are not, please contact me so I can ensure you are very satisfied with the service I have provided.
Thank you for choosing the SBC family of companies. We value your business and continued loyalty.
Regards,
Your SBC Customer Service Representative
(oddly, no rep name given)
Why on earth would I need to call a suspected fraudulent company and provide my private information to attempt to remove a billing for service I never requested?
Here’s what prompted my family’s filing a “Don’t Call” violation. Out of the blue we received a call one day that went something like this. An automated call a few weeks ago from ODYSSEY EMAIL SERVICES claiming (no subscriber name given) we had opened an account for email service consisting of 4 email accounts and if we wanted to talk to someone we should hit a number on the telephone keypad. We know better than to do that, since there is a phone racket that uses that practice to trick you into anything from switching carriers to getting billed for expensive bogus calls to foreign countries.
I don’t know what’s going on here with this supposed company but I am assuming the worst. But I am equally troubled that my local SBC phone company thinks email is a telephone carrier service and refused to deny the charge.
From: Jen
Date: 2006-02-15 10:32:15 -0600
Just got a bill on behalf of Odyssey Communication Services in the amount of 14.95 plus FED and
STATE tax equalling 16.15 total for Miscellaneous Charges and Credits. Wonder what that is exactly. Calling Verizon today. Thanks for the info!
From: Keri
Date: 2006-03-01 09:30:53 -0600
I too just received a Sprint bill with charges for OAN Services for directory assistance to NV through 10-15-15-800 (702-555-1212). When I called the number to dispute the charges, the first thing the operator does is give me a sales speel about how great OAN is…unbelievable! They said the charge would be removed in 2 months…WE’LL SEE!!! I’m filing a complaint with Sprint and FTC, and will deduct the amount owed from my bill paid this month.
From: Cheryl
Date: 2006-03-01 10:04:29 -0600
Hi. Just thought I’d add to the post. Here’s my experience so far:
I also received an OAN charge on my current Verizon phone bill. This was for some e-mail service fee billed on behalf of Odyssey Comm Svcs in Tenafly, NJ. $14.95 + state & fed taxes, totaling $16.30. I called the OAN number and spoke with “Steve”. He explained that this was for an internet service offering 5 e-mail addresses, 10 hrs of internet service and software. Supposedly you can only sign up for this service online after filling out some sort of survey. I told him I never would have, knowingly, signed up for their service especially since we subscribe to cable internet service. He showed that there had already been two billings, one Jan 26 (from my current bill) and another on Feb 23 (my next bill). He agreed, without a fight, to cancel the service and issue a credit for both charges. He said that the credits should take one to two billing periods to go through.
So now I wait and see.
Next I will call Verizon to let them know I will be paying short on this bill (and possibly the next) and why.
I’m glad to have found this post! It gave me some insight before making any calls. It’s also nice (and a shame) to know that your not the only one!
From: Cheryl
Date: 2006-03-01 10:14:50 -0600
One last thing:
Re-reading Dan’s post from Feb 13 jogged my memory about something. I came home one day in January to a message on my answering machine thanking us for signing up with e-amil service from Odyssey (I don’t believe they said our name or anything else to identify us specifically). At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. I figured it was just a wrong number or something. Now I know differently! I’ll have to check if I deleted it or not but I probably did.
From: joe
Date: 2006-03-11 04:15:41 -0600
If you go to this website you can view all the cases Willoughby Farr is involved in. There are like 9 from the FTC on March 7, 2006. You can also see His Mother Mary Lou Farr is involved, and if you go to florida secretary of state and look at all the corporations/LLC they’ve had combined it’s stupid..now they are switching around their assets and business names so, I guess Nationwide or whatever they will call themselves will go on.
Good Luck to you all, because this man is a work of art…NOT….Pure Evil is more like it!
http://oris.co.palm-beach.fl.us/or_web1/details.asp?doc_id=15560568&file_num=20060134671
http://www.pbcountyclerk.com/oris/records_home.html
From: Robert Smith
Date: 2006-03-13 16:01:22 -0600
Date: 021206, I got an e-mail about a charge that would appear on my phone bill,from OAN(odyssey) (national collections) for e-mail services. Call 1-800-xxx-xxxx to cancle.
Date: Ten minutes later, “Ok sir your name has been removed from our billing records”
Date: 031206, My at&t bill includes a charge for 14.95 for e-mail service,.45 fed. tax,.90state tax,=16.30.
Date ten minutes later, “Im sorry sir apparently the other service tech was not in the system yet and did not get you cancled in time.(30 days later) We will credit your phone bill in 30 to 60 days!!
From: Missy
Date: 2006-03-20 11:20:18 -0600
I looked at my phone bill today and I was charged 13.22 for voice messaging servicesby OAN.I called and they said they would refund my $ but when I asked them what it was for (about 4-5 times) he would NOT give me an answer. Anyone know what this is?
From: Missy
Date: 2006-03-20 11:23:50 -0600
I made a mistake. The charge is for voice mail not messaging
From: joe
Date: 2006-03-30 05:37:07 -0600
For Release: March 15, 2006
End of the Line for Phone Bill Crammers
Defendants Collected Millions For Collect Calls That Were Not Made
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge has halted a massive fraudulent billing scheme that has collected more than $25 million in bogus collect call charges from hundreds of thousands of consumers. The FTC charged three companies and their principals with deceptive and unfair billing practices for “cramming” – the unauthorized billing of charges on phone bills – since at least January 2004.
“Charging consumers for bogus collect calls is stealing,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.” The Federal Trade Commission will not tolerate crooks who cram unauthorized charges onto phone bills."
The FTC’s complaint alleges that, in many instances, the defendants initiated phony collect call charges, such as calls to telephone lines that were dedicated to computers and fax machines, and to phones where no one was present. In addition, some consumers’caller ID logs had no record of collect calls for which they were billed.
The FTC charged the defendants with violating Section 5 of the FTC Act by representing that consumers owed money they did not owe, and by causing consumers to be billed for collect phone calls they neither received nor authorized. According to the FTC’s complaint, the defendants claimed that they submitted charges for billing on consumers’bills on behalf of long distance service providers, although the defendants have few, if any, long distance carriers as clients. The defendants’ charges typically were buried on the last page of consumers’phone bills, with each charge typically in the range of $5 to $8.
On February 27, Senior Judge Kenneth Ryskamp ordered an ex parte temporary restraining order freezing the assets of Nationwide Communications Inc., Access One Communications Inc., Network One Services Inc., and their principals, Willoughby Farr, Mary Lou Farr, Yaret Garcia, Erika Riaboukha, and Qaadir Kaid. The order appointed a temporary receiver over them and banned them from engaging in unauthorized billing.
On March 8, the court found that the defendants engaged in the widespread unauthorized billing of collect calls in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act and entered a preliminary injunction order prohibiting them from billing or submitting any charge for billing on a consumer’s telephone bill. The order continued the asset freeze over them and appointed a permanent receiver over Nationwide Communications, Access One Communications, Network One Services, and certain affiliated entities. The FTC ultimately seeks to permanently bar the defendants from further violations, make them forfeit their ill-gotten gains, and make them pay restitution to consumers. The Commission approved the filing of the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by a 5-0 vote.
NOTE: The Commission authorizes the filing of a complaint when it has ‘reason to believe’ that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendant has actually violated the law. The case will be decided by the court.
Copies of the complaint are available from the FTC’s Web site at www ftc gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information on 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www ftc gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish (bilingual counselors are available to take complaints), or to get free information on any of available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mitch Katz,
Office of Public Affairs
Federal Trade Commission
202-326-2161
Frank Dorman,
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674
STAFF CONTACT:
Laura M. Kim, Attorney
Division of Marketing Practices
202-326-3734
From: Paul Harrington
Date: 2006-04-11 11:21:48 -0500
Class action sounds like a great idea. Has anybody contacted a lawyer? (I just tried and got a voice mail; hopefully I’ll hear back.)
I think that Sprint and OAN should be defendants in this class-action (and any other phone companies who claim that nothing fraudulant has gone on here.)
From: Sarah
Date: 2006-04-13 22:29:37 -0500
702-555-1212 seems to be the popular number in these scams. I am the treasurer for a student co-op, which has no long distance service. We have AT&T, and were billed by ILD Teleservices, Inc. NOT by OAN like everyone else for a Directory assistance call to the above number. Bastards.
From: Jeff
Date: 2006-04-17 19:02:14 -0500
Nice. $10.80 charge for Check Verify 900 733-5150 on our company fax line. No records of outbound call to this company. SBC bill shows OAN Service’s, Inc. Billed on behalf of ACI Billing Services. SBC stated it was for some sort of Mortgage related service and is reversing the charge but of course you have to take the time to call. I also filed a complaint with www.FTC.gov as mentioned to do above.
From: Jeff
Date: 2006-04-17 19:02:42 -0500
Nice. $10.80 charge for Check Verify 900 733-5150 on our company fax line. No records of outbound call to this company. SBC bill shows OAN Service’s, Inc. Billed on behalf of ACI Billing Services. SBC stated it was for some sort of Mortgage related service and is reversing the charge but of course you have to take the time to call. I also filed a complaint with www.FTC.gov as mentioned to do above.
From: John
Date: 2006-04-26 15:51:41 -0500
“702-555-1212 seems to be the popular number in these scams. I am the treasurer for a student co-op, which has no long distance service. We have AT&T, and were billed by ILD Teleservices, Inc. NOT by OAN like everyone else for a Directory assistance call to the above number."
I got the same charge/company (ILD) on my ATT/SBC bill in houston, texas. I called sbc and they are removing the charge from my bill. Thank god for google, i found this thread and told this to my customer service agent.
From: Sandy
Date: 2006-05-17 18:05:26 -0500
I received a bill from OAN on my AT&T phone bill. I called the number immediately & talked to Phil. He states on 3/4/06 my husband (dumbass!!) signed up for a $25 Walmart gift card & that signed us up for an “Antivirus Email, LLC Inet” It was a MONTHLY fee of $16.22. I advised I wanted to cancel immediately, did not sign up for this!! He stated he would issue a credit of the full $$ amount, should show up on my next statement. We never received the $25 gift card either!!
From: Sherri Smith
Date: 2006-05-23 20:44:02 -0500
I just got a bill from SBC/ATT with an addition from AOM for February in the amount of $79.61. I had already paid Feb. and March bill but they decided I wasn’t looking I guess. This was for 2 collect calls that didn’t happen.
From: ella gant
Date: 2006-05-30 22:45:28 -0500
received $14.95 charge plus fed taxes $15.40 total on long distance for emailservice fee. I do not have long distance with my unlisted phone number! phone company states if the company does not remove the charges I will be responsible! what? they accept from these crooks and I am liable? if they are willing to scam like this, why wouldn’t they also be willing to not remove the charges? it is not like they are honorable! I am so peeved. we got the phone call a few days ago fast recorded voice picshare or picsafe push a button etc which I did not do. They were probably fishing to see if it is a legit number :(
how can they get away with this for so long? unbelievable.
From: Anita Clark
Date: 2006-06-04 04:10:30 -0500
OAN put charges on my last phone bill and the current one. I don’t even know who they are or where they are located. I just read about them from several fraud/complaint sites. SBC/ATT did little to help me during many lenghty calls, during which I waited and waited on hold to be aggravatingly asked the same questions anew. Just a few days ago I talked to a representative at AT&T who said he was going to block OAN from billing me through AT&T and send the charges back to OAN. When I called this OAN, the girl was rude, vile, threatening, and hostile. She hung up on me. I will not pay OAN for services I didn’t order. The Illinois Attorney General should take action against them.
From: Sandra Owens
Date: 2006-07-15 20:05:15 -0500
I just received my Verizon bill and had charges of $7.86 to my bill. I called OAN and was lucky enough to talk to a rep after a short hold period. I explained to him I never made this call to dir asst and had never authorized any services from them. He offered to send me a check for the amount due but needed my address. I said “How can you charge me when you don’t even know who I am”. I told him to credit my account and block my services.He agreed to do so. I will be calling Verizon on Monday. Good Luck! SandyO
From: angela
Date: 2006-07-31 12:09:40 -0500
Verizon has been wrongly adding OAN charges, billed on behalf of Odyssey Comm. Svcs, to my bill. ALSO, Verizon has been wrongly charging me for “enhanced services,” billed on behalf of Email Discounts LLC. I’m just starting to sort this all out. Apparently, I’m not the only one hit with this mess.
From: Charles Pace,Jr.
Date: 2006-08-03 18:29:49 -0500
I got my phone bill today with a charge for $7.40 for Directory Assistance. No name selected, no number shown, no City or State.It gave a date - that’s all.
Verizon posted a number to call if I had questions. I called, the person said she would reverse the charges & wanted to inform me how the program worked. If you call for a phone number and the number has been changed, this company jumps in & asks if you want the new number and you say yes… they dial it for you… you don’t know what’s happened until you get your phone bill. JUST SAY NO! I was not informed that it would cost me $5.52 + taxes & fees to reach my party. Our “information number was “411” - I don’t know what it is now, but bet me I’ll not dial 411 again to get a local phone number. I also agree, everyone should inform the FCC about this FRAUD,SCAM & other &%#@ words I should not say!
From: ELIDIA CONTRERAS
Date: 2006-08-21 10:37:31 -0500
THERE IS A CHARGE ON MY PHONE BILL THAT WE DID NOT MAKE. BUT I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY TAKE THAT CHARGE OFF!
From: Dustin
Date: 2006-09-05 08:53:30 -0500
OAN (Operator Assistance Network) is trying to charge me for a service I didn’t ask for and don’t use, on my phone bill (AT&T), something called Odyssey Comm Svcs - Streaming Radio Monthly Fee. I’ve reported this to the FTC and my local AG among others. Am calling AT&T to complain etc.
From: Matt Dawson
Date: 2006-09-10 17:31:32 -0500
I got a bill like everyone else on this site, but my bill said " VEEVAA music downloads mthly fee” Is this cramming?
From: Elizabeth Carver
Date: 2006-09-12 17:29:15 -0500
I just received this same billing from OAN on my phone bill also. They billed me for $5.52 plus a USF Carrier
Admin Fee of $1.65. I also received a charge for ESBI of $13.92. I have never gave premission to have either of these on my phone bill. I’m in the process of taking to my phone company Verizon. They say that they will give me credit but if this was made from my home they will rebill me for this. This is a bunch of bull I don’t I did not make these calls or give premission to someone to make them. What can we do about these charges.
From: Dale Simons
Date: 2006-09-17 19:25:27 -0500
I also have found spurious charges on my telephone bill. These generate from OAN Services in amount of $7.61 for a direct assist at this number 101 515-8000. I see I am not the first one to be charged in this scam. Obviouisly I did not pay it and will call Verizon to see what they have to say about it. And then will drop it in the lap of our local BBB and maybe the police dept too.
From: Barry C
Date: 2006-09-26 23:19:13 -0500
We have one on our EMbarq bill…Oddessey comm svcs…..streaming radio..we did not order it. Got the company to remove the charge.
From: James H
Date: 2006-09-29 12:40:36 -0500
I too in the heart of NJ was hit with this infamous $7.61 for the 101 515-8000 number. Verizon was the middle man in this scam. The billing number supplied for OAN Services did not give an arguement for the questionable charge, but would correct it with a check. So the check is in the MAIL. Right. Verizon, after taking 5 minutes to reach a breathing person (Clue: say “YES” to “New Services”) takes no responsible in any of this, but did put a claim against the charge for 90 days and would block any third party service provider charges in the future. They will have to bill me direct. Of course, I wonder how much Verizon makes off of the billing charges as a middle man in this scam and why, if their so great, wouldn’t just drop the low life providers from their billing altogether. Can you say MONEY? And of course RIGHT after this, the next breathe is trying to sell me more of their questionable services. Oh boy.
From: Patty P
Date: 2006-10-07 11:19:28 -0500
Just recieved Verizon bill. Scammed for 7.14 for 101-515-800. Will not pay and will contact Verizon. thanks for the website.
From: Jo in NY
Date: 2006-10-09 18:51:35 -0500
Verizon is now billing $5 late charges for cramming charges that can’t be resolved. It’s a so-called “automatic” charge. The FCC told me that Nationwide Connections is inactive, but so far have nothing new on AT&E. Verizon skims off the scammers.
From: Jean
Date: 2006-10-12 15:32:49 -0500
Just received Verizon bill. scammed for$7.64 for 101 515-8000, what am I to do
From: Kathy in AR
Date: 2006-10-16 12:00:06 -0500
Got scammed. Glad I found this site. We just couldn’t figure out why we had a charge for directory assistance in NV. Shocked to see this is still going on since 2004. Called Wind Stream. No problems. They are taking the charge off the bill and blocking outside parties from billing.
Thanks to everyone for the information.
From: Danielle in Illinois
Date: 2006-10-24 00:51:08 -0500
Today my mom and I received our telephone bill from AT&T and there was a charge of 16.07 from OAN services. When we called they said the charge was through VEEVAA LLC which is a music downloading site, but when we really looked at it was charging us for a monthly fee of 25 dollars for enhanced long-distances. They said they would credit our bill and now after seeing the different websites I see that I have to call the FCC so they can shut them down.
This shit is ridiculous and I believe somebody has to stop them because it’s really sad that u can’t even trust the telephone companies anymore. I advise everyone to take a closer look at your phone bills and take a closer look at internet sites when applying for anything because they will try and get you.
From: Becca in AR
Date: 2006-10-27 16:14:40 -0500
My mom was charged $15 on her AT&T bill for something from OAN services. They claimed it was something they authorized in regards to a cell phone?? Totally bogus.
From: Chris. Pinta
Date: 2006-11-02 03:43:43 -0600
Obviously the phone companies( Verizon, AT&T, SBC. MCI, Bell South, Quest, Sprint, etc. are
PIMPING<br />
for the the scammers (OAN, ACI, NATIONWIDE, WEST STAR, ODISSEY etc.) since they DO know who these crooks are, yet, they knowlwingly allow them to breach the trust given to them by your phone conrtract.
The class action suits should be aimed at the greedy and
criminal phone companies that participate in these scams for the obvious purpose of illegal gain.
Need to get the ear of some dedicated attorneys that are not afraid of, or beholden to, these monopolistic phone
corporations.
Gung Ho!
C. P.
From: Chris. Pinta
Date: 2006-11-02 03:44:58 -0600
Obviously the phone companies( Verizon, AT&T, SBC. MCI, Bell South, Quest, Sprint, etc. are
PIMPING<br />
for the the scammers (OAN, ACI, NATIONWIDE, WEST STAR, ODISSEY etc.) since they DO know who these crooks are, yet, they knowlwingly allow them to breach the trust given to them by your phone conrtract.
The class action suits should be aimed at the greedy and
criminal phone companies that participate in these scams for the obvious purpose of illegal gain.
Need to get the ear of some dedicated attorneys that are not afraid of, or beholden to, these monopolistic phone
corporations.
Gung Ho!
C. P.
From: Chris. Pinta
Date: 2006-11-02 03:57:58 -0600
Obviously the phone companies( Verizon, AT&T, SBC. MCI, Bell South, Quest, Sprint, etc. are
PIMPING<br />
for the the scammers (OAN, ACI, NATIONWIDE, WEST STAR, ODISSEY etc.) since they DO know who these crooks are, yet, they knowlwingly allow them to breach the trust given to them by your phone conrtract.
The class action suits should be aimed at the greedy and
criminal phone companies that participate in these scams for the obvious purpose of illegal gain.
Need to get the ear of some dedicated attorneys that are not afraid of, or beholden to, these monopolistic phone
corporations.
Gung Ho!
C. P.
From: h
Date: 2006-11-08 16:01:22 -0600
Just got a bill on my verizon bill from a OAN Services, Inc. for $82.31 and I nevr recieved any of these calls!
Seattle WA
From: Relmhill
Date: 2006-11-14 13:11:05 -0600
I was crammed on my latest Verizon bill by OAN.
Using information from this site I called Verizon to dispute the charges and block 3rd-party billing.
The Verizon rep said she would remove OAN from my account and block 3rd party billing. However, she could only post a claim against OAN on my account for the amount they billed. That means until OAN credits my account, this amount and my claim will remain outstanding.
She said I should pay only the net of Verizon billed minus my claim.
From: MM
Date: 2006-11-17 14:05:57 -0600
Did any one block 1010+ and 3rd party and still get these charges?
From: Phil
Date: 2006-11-19 23:16:44 -0600
I received a Operator Assisted OAN bill on my verzon bill. It was for the same as everyone else, 7.57. I am not sure what to do about it. I will not pay for something I did not use. I will complain to verzon. I would like to get them blocked from my phone, but sounds like this is some scam involving more than meets the eye. Any suggestions?
From: GAIL
Date: 2006-11-28 07:45:27 -0600
Just checked my October phone bill & saw a 7.93 charge from OAN. Called them - they reversed charge - almost too willingly. They SAY that call was placed to a business that had changed their phone number. In order to get a correct number, my supposed call was routed to OAN, who charged a total of $7.93 for what they call directory assistance. CALL WAS NEVER PLACED. What’s being done about this company - what a scam - how many people don’t look closely at their phone bills???
From: r. malcolm
Date: 2006-12-07 21:58:20 -0600
same as Gail with exceptions, ttl 7.14 and 24 oct.Whats the goverment going to moniter this company?
From: john_3000
Date: 2006-12-08 15:17:16 -0600
Below is the Nationwide entry in the “QUARTERLY FEDERAL COURT LITIGATION STATUS REPORT,” 30 September 2006, which you can pull up from ftc.gov. Note that OAN was only added to the case on 21 September, 6 months after the FTC annouced “the end of the line for phone bill crammers” as reported here 30 March 2006 above. And of course it’s STILL going on!
FTC v. NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC., No. 06-80180-CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC
(S.D. Fla.)
Parties:
Nationwide Connections, Inc. Access One Communications, Inc. Network One Services, Inc. Willoughby Farr Mary Lou Farr Yaret Garcia
Erika Riaboukha
Qaadir Kaid Billing Concepts, Inc. ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN BSG Clearing Solutions North America, LLC The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel
Assigned Attorneys:
Laura M. Kim (BCP/MP) Michael Davis
Alleged Condu
ct: Unfair and deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 in connection with the initiation of phone charges for purported long distance collect calls.
Status:
Complaint for injunctive and other equitable relief filed 2/27/06. TRO, asset freeze and preliminary injunction order entered 3/8/06. First amended complaint adding defendants Billing Concepts, Inc., ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN, BSG Clearing Solutions North America, LLC and The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed 9/21/06.
From: Don Journey
Date: 2006-12-18 02:55:51 -0600
Im being charged $12.95 a month by Oan for calls that I never make or receive. Im calling the state attornrys office.
From: tina m hutton
Date: 2006-12-21 19:32:03 -0600
I got billed oanweb.com on my phone bill dated nov 16,2006 usa vmail premium of $12.95 plus $.78 tax totalying $13.73 I never amde this call nor will I pay for it
From: Bill C—–sky
Date: 2006-12-24 13:14:38 -0600
I got a recorded message this morning saying that I had a collect call from a correctional facility today (I didn’t). and that I should call 800-644-8591 if I had questions. I did, and another recorded voice said that the number had been changed to 10-15-15-800 - I was suspicious, didn’t call, searched the web, and here I am, finding the problem described in detail right here.
I’ll bet my bill this month has OAN charges. I already complained to verizon today. This is BS.
From: Marty
Date: 2007-01-02 10:37:40 -0600
Add my name to the list of people who have been scammed by OAN. My Verizon bill showed a charge from them of $7.14 for a supposed information call for a number in Las Vegas. I have never ever called anyone or any business in L.V. Verizon told me I had to call OAN to have the charge removed. I asked why Verizon is helping this company to scam people. I was told that it is mandated that Verizon include the charges billed by a secondary company unless the subscriber asks for a block for this type of billing and that there is no cost for the block. The Verizon rep. also gave me the toll free number to make a complaint to the FCC- (1-888-225-5322). If the FCC receives a complaint from everyone who is scammed by OAN, perhaps OAN will be forced to stop their illegal practices (and hopefully fined or put out of business as well).
From: CK
Date: 2007-01-04 08:48:22 -0600
My last 2 Verizon bills had a miscellaneous charge of $13.73 from OAN for “USA Vmail Premium”. I called OAN’s 800# and they told me that someone had entered my phone# on their website. They agreed to cancel the service and refund the charges (we’ll see). I also called verizon and they put a block on future “miscellaneous charges” on my account so hopefully this won’t happen again. What a waste of time!
From: john_3000
Date: 2007-01-07 16:20:48 -0600
This is a little off topic but I offer it here because it shows that unauthorized charges are not just a telcom aberration, they’re an established american business custom. It’s sleaze-a-rama out there. Con city. Check out
http://pcworld.com/printable/article/id,128206/printable.html
seebs comments: fixed URL now that it’s already past the spam filters.
From: josie arcigal
Date: 2007-01-14 19:45:27 -0600
I got my bill from Verizon today. it has a billing in behalf of OAN. It says I made an operator assisted call -101 555 8000 which I did not on Dec 26/06. This is a scam.
From: Unbelievable
Date: 2007-01-18 21:08:28 -0600
Well folks OAN is at it agian they hit me agian for some bogus charge for directory assistance to NV calling 10 15 15 800 B.S. on Dec 26 at 1 in the afternnon for $7.77 both my husband and I were at work this is a crock to have to spend time calling Qwest to take this of my bill which they in turn pass the buck to OAN then have to call these thief to have a charged removed that was not even made on our phone. This is the second time they hit me and Qwest did block them over a year ago but now their back to their same old crap scamming people.
From: john_3000
Date: 2007-01-30 14:00:31 -0600
This is the Nationwide entry in the (latest) 4th-quarter FTC case status report. As I read it, the only thing that’s happened in the last 3 months is one of the slime molds filed an appeal to the preliminary injunction. One wonders what that means since OAN still seems to be doing business as usual.
FTC v. NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC., No. 06-80180-CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC
(S.D. Fla.)
Parties: Nationwide Connections, Inc.
Access One Communications, Inc.
Network One Services, Inc.
Willoughby Farr
Mary Lou Farr
Yaret Garcia
Erika Riaboukha
Qaadir Kaid
Billing Concepts, Inc.
ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN
BSG Clearing Solutions North America, LLC
The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel
Assigned Attorneys: Laura M. Kim (BCP/MP)
Michael Davis
Collot Guerard
Marilyn E. Kerst (OGC)
Alleged Conduct: Unfair and deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 in connection with
the initiation of phone charges for purported long distance collect calls.
Status: Complaint for injunctive and other equitable relief filed 2/27/06.
TRO, asset freeze and preliminary injunction order entered 3/8/06.
First amended complaint adding defendants Billing Concepts, Inc., ACI
Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN, BSG Clearing Solutions North
America, LLC and The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed
9/21/06. Amended preliminary injunction order entered 9/22/06.
Contempt order against Willoughby Farr, Mary Lou Farr and Danny
Trujillo (non-party) entered 9/22/06. Notice of appeal of the amended preliminary injunction order filed
11/11/06.
From: J and J
Date: 2007-02-01 19:40:17 -0600
I just got my verizon bill today And I have a charge of $5.49 for a directory assistant call to 101 515 8000.on dec 26 2006 at 10:50 am. It says it was a call forwarded by OAN Services,INC.,the clearinghouse agent for calling 10 15 15 800. Can you say B.S. We did not make any calls on that day. What is going on, does any one know what we are to do about this?
From: Tim Runnals
Date: 2007-02-02 09:29:03 -0600
I was looking over my grand-mother’s phone bill yesterday and found a charge of $7.64 for a 1:00 minute directory assistance charge that we never made. I use free411, the internet, or the PHONEBOOK, for help finding numbers. I would never pay $5.99 for one minute of help, ever! I called them and the bitch gave me the fucking run around of calling 10 15 15 800 and how it is the best 411 out there. I said they were retarded if they thought they could just slip this by me. I MADE her refund the money but the bitch would only give back $7.14. I said you better give me back all the fucking money or I will call the FCC, the BBB, and the AG’s office on them. She said, “Now I have to terminate this call”.
So today, I called Verizon, told them about everything, they refunded the money and are filing a complaint against OAN services. I will be calling the NH Utilities Commission to file a complaint as well.
From: bryan
Date: 2007-02-06 17:34:57 -0600
I also rec’d a charge from OAN on my Verizon Business bill. It was for a Directory Assistance call to 101-515-8000. I called them and they removed the charge, quite politely I might add. They apparently blocked my number from future services as well. But it was still a mystery to me, so I found this site afterwards. I’m going to call Verizon and complain.
From: Kelly Schreiman
Date: 2007-02-20 16:28:13 -0600
we just got our phone bill and my husband asked about making/receiving a call regarding 101.515.8000. I googled this phone number and found this site. THANKS! My husband called Verizon and removed the charge from our bill. He is also following up with a call to the FCC to file a complaint against this company. Funny thing, we were out of town the day of the alleged phone call… Go figure…
From: judith raynor
Date: 2007-02-28 22:44:27 -0600
February 27th, 2007
we just got billed $7.95 for a bogus directory information number.The bill was on our Verizon bill and the person I spoke to at OAN was rude but did say she would refund the money in the next 2 to 3 billing cycles!!!
From: Mary-Anne Brister
Date: 2007-03-01 20:48:32 -0600
apparently i’m not the only one who has received fraudulint charges from these people. att/sbc has now put a block on my line where no one can bill me through my phone line except the company. good think i was on the phone with the guy when i googled the number and now he is going to be able to let his other customers and associates know that this stuff is a scam. I mean why would i get another telephone company and voicemail company billing me through my CURRENT COMPANY with the same services???? they make no sense. thank you for this site because it is now making even more people aware of it.
From: Cynthia Wallace
Date: 2007-03-10 18:16:40 -0600
Charges on behalf of OAN totalling $13.54 on 13 Feb 2007 to 10 15 15 800 (2 dir asst. calls @ 5.49 ea, USF fee of 1.65 and taxes of 0.91) These calls were made at a time when myself and my husband were at work. Will notify Verizon, FTC, my Navy Legal Services Office and request 3rd party blocking.
From: Josh Dell
Date: 2007-03-20 20:14:41 -0500
I got my bill today from Qwest with a long distance Director Assistence bill from a company called ILD
It was Feb 8 @ 9:56am to Dir asst NV 702-555-1212 1 min $5.49
and another Feb 15 @ 10:00 am to Dir Asst. NV 702-555-1212 1 min. $5.49
FRAUD!!! called Qwest, Public Service Com., and FCC.
Will file a complaint with Attorney General in the morning.
From: Margaret m. Carlin
Date: 2007-03-27 00:56:53 -0500
I was billed by OAN Services for a call on 3-14-2007, the # they say I dialed was: 10-15-15-800. The breakdown on this supposed one min. call:
$5.49-Toll chge.
$1.65-Misc. chges.
.22-NY Tax
———
$7.36-Total phony chge.
I’m emailing all persons mentioned above. This is a total scam
From: Connie Inwood
Date: 2007-04-17 09:13:45 -0500
Got billed 8.43 fro “Your Billing Solutions, Inc.
1X set-up fee……No idea what this could be, called AT&T who referred me to OAN who has no idea and no information about this but will call me when they have more information. Did mention that my son is a Lawyer and they could not have been nicer, are going to credit my account for amount + any taxes and put through a cancellation in case this is a monthly charge. Yeah right, and my other son is the Easter bunny. Will be interesting to see if they call me back.
From: Robert Beck
Date: 2007-04-27 19:31:52 -0500
Billed on 3/9/07 Verizon bill for two operator dialed calls to 101 515-8000 made on Mar 3 at 10:31 and 10:32 a.m. We were traveling at the time. Complaint filed with PA Attorney General with reference to this long list of problems with OAN Services. Verizon has removed the charge–a little bit of a pain to do since the payments are automatically deducted from my checking account.
From: bdmech
Date: 2007-05-04 14:25:52 -0500
Got my Verizon bill for April 2007 and OAN had put a bogus charge for $7.78
Called Verizon and a rep said don’t pay it, She attached a memo to my records about my call.I Also called the number for OAN and talked to Jaquline who said a credit would be issued. I also put a block on my Verizon account that will not allow billing for third parties such as OAN
It appears to be a VERY BIG SCAM that is making a lot of money for crooks.
From: 2BNV"D
Date: 2007-05-10 14:21:48 -0500
I just got to work from my lunch break, and on my private line I had a voice message from a Kathy White with A New Mortgage Co. for Financial Network. She left a callback no. of 888-722-5301. I had no idea who this was, but our company deals with mortgages. So I called the 888# back. It said to get more information on this # dial 10-15-15-8000. For a charge of $6.95. I went back and checked that voicemail again and got the # she called from 714-250-2683 which is somewhere in Santa Ana, CA. Needless to say, I forwarded the voice mail to the accounting manager. A charge of any kind for today’s date shows up on our phone bill, we’ll be disputing it. I’d love if we were able to find some charges to press against them.
From: Su-ching
Date: 2007-05-13 20:00:26 -0500
Got a bill from OAN services, INc. for $5.49 so called dir. asst. chg. and usf carrier admin fee of $1.65 +$.36 tax=$7.50 for a call we never made or received! How can Verizon allow this to go on? This is clever stealing thru loop holes in the system-they must be stopped. Please support a class action law suit and get our $$$ back!
From: Rosemary Heller
Date: 2007-05-15 09:08:13 -0500
I’ve been scammed by OAN for $7.81 and have spent hours trying to sort it out. Thanks to this web site, I have called Verizon to block 3rd party calls as well as collect calls. I am also contacting the FCC to lodge a complaint. Call your telephone company NOW to block 3rd party billing !!
From: shirley L peck
Date: 2007-05-26 14:10:20 -0500
I got bill for a call made from my number to 101 515 8000 and I never used these services.I call oan services and told them I never used them and I spoke with Sarah and she said she would send me a refund check for $7.57 in 10 days. We will see what happens.Was anyone else told this and did they get the refund?
From: shirley L peck
Date: 2007-05-26 14:12:21 -0500
I got bill for a call made from my number to 101 515 8000 and I never used these services.I call oan services and told them I never used them and I spoke with Sarah and she said she would send me a refund check for $7.57 in 10 days. We will see what happens.Was anyone else told this and did they get the refund?
From: Patty
Date: 2007-05-27 19:17:19 -0500
Just got my Verizon bill. Got hit for $7.85. By a number others have posted here. 101 515-8000. You know what I am saying under my breath!!!!
From: john_3000
Date: 2007-06-12 09:49:44 -0500
Here is the Nationwide Connections entry in the latest (1Q07) “QUARTERLY FEDERAL COURT LITIGATION STATUS REPORT.” Some motions were granted and denied last quarter but I don’t know what they mean.
FTC v. NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC., No. 06-16635-E (11th Cir.); No. 06-80180-
CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC (S.D. Fla.)
Parties: Nationwide Connections, Inc.
Access One Communications, Inc.
Network One Services, Inc.
Willoughby Farr
Mary Lou Farr
Yaret Garcia
Erika Riaboukha
Qaadir Kaid
Billing Concepts, Inc.
ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN
BSG Clearing Solutions North America, LLC
The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel
Assigned Attorneys: Laura M. Kim (BCP/MP)
Michael Davis
Collot Guerard
Richard McKewen
Marilyn E. Kerst (OGC)
Alleged Conduct: Unfair and deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 in connection with
the initiation of phone charges for purported long distance collect calls.
Status: Complaint for injunctive and other equitable relief filed 2/27/06.
TRO, asset freeze and preliminary injunction order entered 3/8/06.
First amended complaint adding defendants Billing Concepts, Inc., ACI
Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN, BSG Clearing Solutions North
America, LLC and The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed
9/21/06.
Amended preliminary injunction order entered 9/22/06.
Contempt order against Willoughby Farr, Mary Lou Farr and Danny
Trujillo (non-party) entered 9/22/06.
Notice of appeal by The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed 11/11/06.
Order, granting appellant’s motion to stay the appeal pending the district
court’s ruling on pending relevant motions, but denying motion to
remand and temporarily relinquish jurisdiction to permit the
district court to rule on those motions, entered 1/29/07.
From: Mark Boyer
Date: 2007-06-13 21:47:05 -0500
Same scam. OAN Services, Inc shows up on my phone bill with a phone number 1-800-926-6435. Called and got their web site. Sent e-mail about a $14.95 charge that I did not authorize. They e-mailed back the charges were from Odyssey Comm Svcs and that they are in the business of agregating records from a number of long distance companies. Told me I would have to contace Odyssey Comm Svcs at 1-800-760-5685. Of course they don’t answer and you have to have a user name and password to get on their sight. Left voice mail for them on 6-13-2007 and waiting to see if they call back. I am also going to call AT&T. I don’t get it. AT&T made sure to call me to verify that I wanted to drop a service I had called them to drop but they just add a $14.95 charge to my bill without any justification. Maybe I will call and tell them I am MAB Services and need to apply a $14.95 credit to my account if it’s that easy.
From: Fred m
Date: 2007-08-06 10:54:18 -0500
Just had to add my 2 cents, called OAN and they were trying to tell me that someone at my office made the call, but when I pointed out to her that the same charge to the same phone number was on this website at least 200 times she said that my phone acct. would be credited the charge back.now lets see how long that takes
From: john_3000
Date: 2007-08-07 12:38:42 -0500
Here’s the latest quarterly status report (2Q07). It doesn’t look like a lot of progress has been made.
FTC v. NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC., No. 06-16635-E (11th Cir.); No. 06-80180-
CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC (S.D. Fla.)
Parties: Nationwide Connections, Inc.
Access One Communications, Inc.
Network One Services, Inc.
Willoughby Farr
Mary Lou Farr
Yaret Garcia
Erika Riaboukha
Qaadir Kaid
Biling Concepts, Inc.
ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a Integretel
Assigned Attorneys: Laura M. Kim (BCP/MP
Robert Schoshinski
Collot Guerard
Richard McKewen
Marilyn E. Kerst (OGC)
Alleged Conduct: Unfair and deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 in connection with
the initiation of phone charges for purported long distance collect calls.
Status: Complaint for injunctive and other equitable relief filed 2/27/06.
TRO, asset freeze and preliminary injunction order entered 3/8/06.
First amended complaint adding defendants Billing Concepts, Inc., ACI
Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN, BSG Clearing Solutions North
America, LLC and The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed
9/21/06.
Amended preliminary injunction order entered 9/22/06.
Contempt order against Willoughby Farr, Mary Lou Farr and Danny
Trujillo (non-party) entered 9/22/06.
Notice of appeal by The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed 11/11/06.
Order, granting appellant’s motion to stay the appeal pending the district
court’s ruling on pending relevant motions, but denying motion to
remand and temporarily relinquish jurisdiction to permit the
district court to rule on those motions, entered 1/29/07.
From: Vickie Silko
Date: 2007-08-10 11:49:53 -0500
I just realized I have paid 12.95 a month for premuim voice mail service I had never suscribed to. I called at&t they said they had no idea what it was, I then called OAN the man told me I had suscribed to it through cool savings and the name was totally different then mine when he told me what it was suscribed under
From: Traci
Date: 2007-08-30 23:00:06 -0500
Hey, I live in Las Vegas and I was looking over my phone bill (embarq) and there is charge(14.95) from odyssey comm svcs, streaming radio. With some detective work I’ve found out that this has been being billed to me since July 20,2006 which is when I changed some features on my phone. I have not had a chance to talk to the phone company yet, but I wanted to know if anyone knows about this company. Thanks, Traci
From: lance sterling
Date: 2007-09-05 10:01:34 -0500
looking over my bill last week and theres a collect call from a pay phone in santa cruz california for 7. 38 for a 3 minute call. upon calling ATT i find that my long distance is now actually in the hands of osp communications. never heard of them! i call them and they tell me it was a collect call from a pay phone. i dont know anyone in california and i never accept collect calls unless a buddy is in jail or something. they say its a 3 minute minimum for the charge.seems to be no way to dispute it even. now since then i keep getting calls with an automated voice of a woman who just says “hello, this is a call on behalf of” and nothing more. it doesnt even say who. i hang up immediately but its already too late. another bs charge, my parents are getting these too
From: shaa
Date: 2007-10-09 11:32:26 -0500
I got my bill from verizon and noticed a charge from OAN for some DA calls I did make but let me explain I callled 1-800-DA and I was prompted to call the new number for 800 DA which is 101-515-8000 I thought it was free and I made 4 calls because everytime I tried it I would get disconnected. what a scam. I called verizon and they said I need to dispute it with OAN I am about to call them
From: Ann
Date: 2007-10-12 13:51:44 -0500
Receive a bill from Verizon for a collect call ($31.08) from Parker Dam AZ (928 667-9112), that just happens to be disconnected,no such call was ever accepted and no such collect call was ever even received. This is supposedly a 4 minute call - called the billing company ZPDI, said could not credit the account since the call was for 4 minutes. Checking back on our caller ID, there were no calls received on that day. Our whole family has cell phones that we call each other on - for free. No one ever makes collect calls. No one I know has ever been to Parker AZ.
From: Jon
Date: 2007-10-15 09:57:09 -0500
I just had a bill pop up on my account from these people claiming it was an 800# voicemail account. Why would I need that with cell phones and land lines? They say it was set up through ‘cool savings.com’ and tried to put it on my wife… I had her on the cell while I talked to them she searched our email backup on the server and there is no account information or ‘welcome mail’ in her account either.
These scammers are getting a bit to safe. Where is law enforcement? There needs to be a class action suit against companies that try this process of adding to phone bills.
From: April
Date: 2007-10-25 12:44:34 -0500
I was trying to call Webroot software’s customer service number, 866-612-4227. A voice came on saying to dial 101-515-8000, and went on to say that the call would cost $5.49 plus administration recovery. Then it said I could dial 702-555-1212, which is directory assistance for southern Nevada. What a rip off. I tried the 101 number on my cell phone, and got a text message: Reply Y now to get the info on the # you are trying to reach. Locater Svc $9.99/month + std msg fees for 20 lookups/month. SupportTerms? www.sms181.com Look it up. I ended up looking up Webroot online, with Google maps and made a toll call on my cell phone. I had some free minutes. Hope it didn’t cost me too much. I told the Webroot customer service person about this.
From: Carlos C
Date: 2007-10-29 20:36:19 -0500
On 11/29/07 I opened my verizon land line bill to discover this charge. I asked my wife & kids just in case but that was a negative. I’m googling this phone #101 515 8000 which they claim I called. Well thanks for the info., I’ll see what happens with my fight.
From: Tom B
Date: 2007-11-06 18:55:50 -0600
Billing date 10/28/07 OAN Services, Inc
False charges of 7.57
Reason given-called 101 515 8000 WRONG
From: john_3000
Date: 2007-11-15 12:24:48 -0600
Here is the 3Q07 (30Sep) status of the FTC’s case against the assorted dirtbags, [from ftc(dot)gov/ogc/status/status.pdf] It looks like no justice yet but they haven’t escaped either. A trial has actually been scheduled!
FTC v. NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC., No. 07-14531-E (11th Cir.); No. 06-16635-E
(11th Cir.); No. 06-80180-CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC (S.D. Fla.)
Parties: Nationwide Connections, Inc.
Access One Communications, Inc.
Network One Services, Inc.
Willoughby Farr
Mary Lou Farr
Yaret Garcia
Erika Riaboukha
Qaadir Kaid
Biling Concepts, Inc.
ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a Integretel
Assigned Attorneys: Laura M. Kim (BCP/MP)
Robert Schoshinski
Collot Guerard
Richard McKewen
Marilyn E. Kerst (OGC)
John A. Singer
Alleged Conduct: Unfair and deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 in connection with
the initiation of phone charges for purported long distance collect calls.
Status: Complaint for injunctive and other equitable relief filed 2/27/06.
TRO, asset freeze and preliminary injunction order entered 3/8/06.
First amended complaint adding defendants Billing Concepts, Inc., ACI
Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN, BSG Clearing Solutions North
America, LLC and The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed
9/21/06.
Amended preliminary injunction order entered 9/22/06.
Contempt order against Willoughby Farr, Mary Lou Farr and Danny
Trujillo (non-party) entered 9/22/06.
Notice of appeal by The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed 11/11/06.
Order, granting appellant’s motion to stay the appeal pending the district
court’s ruling on pending relevant motions, but denying motion to
remand and temporarily relinquish jurisdiction to permit the
district court to rule on those motions, entered 1/29/07.
Commission’s motion to compel granted 8/27/07.
Order to strike affirmative defenses entered 9/14/07.
Notice of bankruptcy filed by defendant The Billing Resource d/b/a
Integretel 9/17/07.
Proceedings against The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel stayed due
defendant’s bankruptcy filing 9/20/07.
Second notice of appeal filed by The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel
filed 9/24/07.
Defendant’s emergency motion for stay pending appeal filed 9/25/07;
motion conditionally granted 9/27/07.
Trial scheduled for 2/25/08.
From: john_3000
Date: 2007-11-15 12:27:50 -0600
Here is the 3Q07 (30Sep) status of the FTC’s case against the assorted dirtbags, [from ftc(dot)gov/ogc/status/status.pdf] It looks like no justice yet but they haven’t escaped either. A trial has actually been scheduled!
FTC v. NATIONWIDE CONNECTIONS, INC., No. 07-14531-E (11th Cir.); No. 06-16635-E
(11th Cir.); No. 06-80180-CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC (S.D. Fla.)
Parties: Nationwide Connections, Inc.
Access One Communications, Inc.
Network One Services, Inc.
Willoughby Farr
Mary Lou Farr
Yaret Garcia
Erika Riaboukha
Qaadir Kaid
Biling Concepts, Inc.
ACI Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a Integretel
Assigned Attorneys: Laura M. Kim (BCP/MP)
Robert Schoshinski
Collot Guerard
Richard McKewen
Marilyn E. Kerst (OGC)
John A. Singer
Alleged Conduct: Unfair and deceptive practices in violation of Section 5 in connection with
the initiation of phone charges for purported long distance collect calls.
Status: Complaint for injunctive and other equitable relief filed 2/27/06.
TRO, asset freeze and preliminary injunction order entered 3/8/06.
First amended complaint adding defendants Billing Concepts, Inc., ACI
Billing Services, Inc. d/b/a OAN, BSG Clearing Solutions North
America, LLC and The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed
9/21/06.
Amended preliminary injunction order entered 9/22/06.
Contempt order against Willoughby Farr, Mary Lou Farr and Danny
Trujillo (non-party) entered 9/22/06.
Notice of appeal by The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel filed 11/11/06.
Order, granting appellant’s motion to stay the appeal pending the district
court’s ruling on pending relevant motions, but denying motion to
remand and temporarily relinquish jurisdiction to permit the
district court to rule on those motions, entered 1/29/07.
Commission’s motion to compel granted 8/27/07.
Order to strike affirmative defenses entered 9/14/07.
Notice of bankruptcy filed by defendant The Billing Resource d/b/a
Integretel 9/17/07.
Proceedings against The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel stayed due
defendant’s bankruptcy filing 9/20/07.
Second notice of appeal filed by The Billing Resource d/b/a Integretel
filed 9/24/07.
Defendant’s emergency motion for stay pending appeal filed 9/25/07;
motion conditionally granted 9/27/07.
Trial scheduled for 2/25/08.
From: Brenda
Date: 2007-11-17 12:32:40 -0600
I received a charge of 8.94 for no reason and will not pay it!! This is just plain stealing.
From: Fred
Date: 2007-12-13 08:27:40 -0600
I received a charge of $7.14 for a call to 101 515 8000. I will not pay this bogus billing. This is for the people who does not itemize their bill and just pay it. CHECK YOUR ENTIRE BILL EACH MONTH.
From: Michelle Mossner
Date: 2007-12-13 13:44:22 -0600
My mother just recieved her phone bill from CENTURYTEL….There was a charge of $14.95 from OAN SERVICES Inc…For streaming radio….I never even heard of this company or ODYSSEY either…The other thing was it was put in my name..It was billed on Thursday night Nov. 15, 2007…..I called the 1-800 number that was listed…The lady said they would credit the bill…OAN SERVICES Inc. are nothing but crooks…..
My mother blamed for this charge…for something I never did…
From: LENDA
Date: 2007-12-14 08:01:34 -0600
I too checked my phone bill and have charges of $12.63 where I supposely had called 101-515-8000. My husband and I are on fixed income and can’t be paying for something that never happened
From: hope
Date: 2007-12-15 14:29:55 -0600
I received my verizon bill and got charged 5.49 for a call from OAN SERVICES INC..1-101-515-8000 WTF???
From: jonathan
Date: 2007-12-17 21:02:08 -0600
I got charged 15.54 by an OSP Communications.nice site, by the way.
From: Don Leighty
Date: 2008-01-08 13:35:17 -0600
I just spent a couple of hours on the phone with OAN Services and Verizon to contest a bogus directory assistance billing.
The best part is that when I called the 800 number Verizon gave me for their own fraud department, I got a message saying the number was out of service and I had to dial that same 10-15-15-800 directory assistance number for information about the number I was attempting to reach.
Curiously, the Verizon representative who tried this got straight through. I tried again and got the ad for the crammers again.
From: ana
Date: 2008-01-23 23:09:45 -0600
I just checked my at&t phone bill and saw that OSP communications was billing me with a collect call from Arizona I never accepted! 19.04! I called the Billing resourse, which is the number that was on the bill to call, and they gave me the osp number (866) 460-0837. The man that answered was named Edgar and was very rude. He insisted that i had accepted the call even though i said it was impossible because I was in Miami. He then told me that I had to fax him proof of it! I was outraged! I hung up and decided to google osp. Thank God I did. I went to ripp off report.com and some person filed a report and spoke of the same rude man. But the person said that they insisted they wanted to speak to someone else. The next person who answered was someone named “Shelly” and she droppped the phone charges! I immediatley called back and asked for Shelly. The rude man said she wasnt there but will be tomorrow at 1 in the afternoon. I will sure as hell call tomorrow to talk to “shelly”. I will for sure complan to FCC and everyone else. Will write about what happens. these people can kiss my ass!!!!
From: toney moses
Date: 2008-01-25 19:24:07 -0600
Will I lost 9.99 to these people who ever thay are I hope somebody stop them.can I get my money back Idon,t have a job God Bless
From: Ed Mills
Date: 2008-01-27 17:03:56 -0600
Is anyone thinking class action suit? After reading the above I tend to think this is the tip of the iceberg of people who have had this happen to them. Add to that people who dont know that it happend to them. I am a bit beside myself with the idea that the various phone companies that we are all dealing with dont know whats going on. FCC, FTC, AGs all have a nice ring but nothing will get action like a lawer looking for big bucks from a class action suit
From: Wayne Kelly
Date: 2008-01-29 19:59:22 -0600
Guess I just joined a large (and growing larger) class of telephone users being scammed by an organization called OANS (and other names). What is infuriating is that our wonderful FCC and state PUCs allow these thieves to proceed with immunity. I called Verizon and read the riot act that 1) I did not ask for directory assistance from them or ANYONE ELSE; 2) if Verizon allows these crooks access to their billing systems as far as I was concerned they were responsible for removing the charge; 3) why did they let a company(ies) charge through their billing system without first checkinbg to see if they are legitimate? Could it be that the telephone companies get a piece of the action? Nawwwwww! The answers were just pitiful—and ridiculous! I was told “deregulation” permitted it. I told them as far as I was concerned Verizon was a party to grand theft of probably hundreds of thousands of dollars. They finally agreed to remove the charge and block OANS on my account. Supervisor “Bob” then volunteered to call OANS and try to help straighten things out, Well, can you imagine, the telephone rang, and rang, and rang. . . .no one would answer. Point here is that telephone users are helpless victims of unscrupulous scam companies that are AIDED AND ABETTED by the telephone providers! What the heck are our great government agencies doing to protect consumers? Like everything else for the past few years, NOTHING! We’re on our own. Anyone for a class action suit??? Tomorrow I talk to the California Public Utilities Commission. An exercise in futility, I’m sure!
From: Jim
Date: 2008-02-05 12:47:22 -0600
I received my verizon bill and got charged 7.57 for a call from OAN SERVICES INC..1-101-515-8000 Called OAN thats fun then Verizon who said we can’t do anything. 2 hours later I’m nowhere it would of just been easier to pass it by instead of wasting 2 hours of my life on nothing.
From: Mandi
Date: 2008-02-19 14:15:48 -0600
I was trying to reach a woman who advertised on the radio to have the answers for people wanting to quit smoking. I dialed 800-505-1266 and was told that this company now has a “national directory assistance number” (whatever that means) and for just $4.95 I should call 10-15-15-8000. Then at the end of the message it said call 702-555-1212 which is Nevada’s information number… what is going on with all this? Did I just get scammed? And if so how is this woman advertising on the radio?
From: denise
Date: 2008-02-26 13:08:19 -0600
The cramming/scamming continues in NC. Verizon added a $7.62 charge for ‘directory assistance’ call to 10 15 15 800. I googled that curious number and found this thread. Then I called Verizon, who eventually reversed the charges, but not before inferring that ‘someone’ at my home could have inadvertantly dialed that number. Give me a break! Would you just start punching numbers into the keypad? And then, luckily, call OAN Services for ‘Dir Assist’? The phone company will block 3rd party calls and I’ll keep a close watch on my phone bill in the future.
I filed a complaing with the FTC and the BBB.
From: john_3000
Date: 2008-03-06 09:39:23 -0600
The FTC seems to have let Willoughby Farr and his mother avoid jail:
networkworld.com/community/node/25700
I am not a lawyer but as I read the judgment, all they have to do is give up their assets and promise not to keep stealing in certain of the ways they have been. They each get to keep $20K. They seem perfectly free to proceed with any new scams they can concoct. That’s a pretty sweet deal for them, I’d say. Incarceration, preferably with daily waterboarding, would have been far more appropriate.
From: Cisco_gal
Date: 2008-04-11 17:39:18 -0500
Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire were just sold by Verizon to the rather second rate company FairPoint.
The first thing that FairPoint did was add an OAN charge for 10 15 15 800 use to the bill.
If you get stuck with such a charge, call your telecom carrier and ask them to remove it, and ask them to block the acceptance and billing of all 3rd party charges.
They will likely try to wiggle around the request- they make money off of these slammers- but be firm and remind them that they are obligated under federal mandates to do so.
I can pretty well guarantee that they will comply. If they will not, ask for a supervisor, and tell them that you will go to the PUC if need be, and tell the PUC that your telecom is assisting known slammers.
I have not yet run into a supervisor foolish enough to be unwilling to fix things at that point… they all know who these guys are, and they all know how to block the billing of these bogus charges.
From: diana
Date: 2008-05-17 00:20:12 -0500
I just received my phone bill for triple the amount i usually pay and i called my phone company and i was informed that this oan voicemail service has been charging me more than $30 extra on my phone bill for the past couple of months now and I don’t even have voice mail nor do I use my home phone very often having a cell phone, so now I have been trying to call this so called oan which I have never heard of and all I get is a computerized message service asking for my name and number but the funny thing is the oan business number I have been calling does not even announce it self on their machine
From: Lois
Date: 2008-05-20 16:16:15 -0500
I received an automated call on my Qwest wireless on May 20 @ 11:36 a.m. central time. The caller ID showed “UNKNOWN”. The message said it was a collect call from the Hennepin County Correctional Facility and all I need to do, to accept the collect charges, was to say “hello”, after the recording completed. I did not say “hello”, and did not accept the charges. The automated message further indicated that by dialing a toll free number 1-800-644-8591, I could request details about why I was receiving the original collect call. I dialed the 800 number and moments later at 11:39 a.m. central, I received another call from the same “UNKNOWN” source with an automated voice that provided the name “Chris” (female voice tone). I notified Qwest wireless service carrier by 4:15 p.m. central same day, May 20, needing them to be advised that this scam/slammer fraud situation continues to occur and requested Qwest resources do whatever they can to research/investigate this problem further.
From: blame mr. bush!!!!
Date: 2008-05-26 12:27:03 -0500
Don’t vote republican this election!!! GW Bush put us in this mess!!!
Sue each company in small claims court. If you are low income file an affidavit of inability to pay court costs you have to ask the clerk for one.
In the meantime get toll blocking on your landline purchase a prepaid cell phone for all your long distance needs. Make the company pay for the toll blocking once you win the lawsuit.
File complaints with your AGs, BBB, FTC, and FCC even though they don’t seem to do anything sence justice is in Iraq right now.
When Barack becomes president this corporate BS will change. Don’t expect Hillary or McCain to help you.
From: Dave-o
Date: 2008-06-03 15:57:56 -0500
Hey, are you dis-abled?Verizon has something called lifeline that is pushed by all the social services. It’s cheap! x-cept they won’t do any thing to help me with oan services.That101 1515 8000# thinks they’re gonna get $7.86 outta me?Come on over and collect it!You’got my address.Verizon was no help either.
From: jan
Date: 2008-06-03 22:43:32 -0500
we too got taken by ONA!!disputed with VERIZON!!! however later saw on my persoal calender we were at DRS.appt. and did lunch afterward at LONGJOHN SILVERS then did some shopping !! In otherwords we wre not at home during aledged time of OAN charges to us!! I can prove it!!! I am calling Verizon again to pitch my bitch
From: Reynaldo Vega
Date: 2008-07-05 21:36:26 -0500
I got charge for something I didn’t order its about a USA Vmail Premium from the company OAN. I have to keep my eyes open every month I see something different on my bill I believe verizon is doing this things to make money from people. Almost every month I have to call for a complain.
From: Southern_Belle
Date: 2008-07-24 23:04:43 -0500
I charged last month for OAN- USA Voicemail. I did not authorize this service to be added to my home phone. I contacted AT&T and the lady took the charge off and was suppose to put on a third party charge block on my account. Well, guess what? I got my phone bill today and that silly OAN charge was on there again. I rarely get calls on my home line, what in carnation do I need with voicemail! These people need to be stopped! Beware of OAN!!!!
From: val
Date: 2008-08-28 18:54:20 -0500
I got a charge from oan on my Verizon bill today. The crazy thing is I do not have long distance service.
From: Victoria Pace
Date: 2008-09-03 00:53:01 -0500
Sorry, I didn’t know that George Bush, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barrack Obama were in the telecommunications business. Perhaps I’m amiss, then, in calling my local phone company to complain about an OAN charge on my phone bill.
We just received our September phone bill a few days ago. I noticed an unfamiliar charge for Dir. Assist to 101 515-8000 billed by Verizon as a “service” to OAN Services, Inc. It is only $5.49, plus a $1.65 USF Carrier Admin. Fee, plus $0.45 State sales tax for a total of $7.59. A small amount that most people would overlook and think nothing of paying without scrutinizing their phone bill. What caught my attention was the fact that we have one of those one rate long distance plans and the bill should be just about the exact same certain amount each month. My husband usually takes care of the bill paying, but this month I was helping so I started looking over the bill to see why it was higher than usual and found the suspicious looking OAN charge within my Verizon bill. I searched in vain in phone books and on the internet over the Labor Day weekend to try to locate area code 101 and can’t seem to find its existance in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, or Mexico. (I don’t know anybody in or do business in three of those four places and I have one rate long distance in the U.S.) During all this searching while waiting for the holiday to be over so I could contact Verizon, I found OAN’s website and it tells me (just like many of you said) that they seem to be some sort of financial institution, not a telecommunications company. Then I found THIS website and learned more about OAN than I ever wanted to know. Thanks everybody for sharing all your information and experiences with this scam. I will be able to call Verizon tomorrow, and in the meantime I can go to some of the websites you have so kindly posted, like the FTC, FCC, BBB, AG, etc.
Apparently these people just don’t give up. It is a major puzzle to me why with so many complaints to the appropriate agencies over so long a period of time that these people are just continuing business as usual with no interference from the law.
From: WilliamA.Barrow
Date: 2008-09-03 08:49:37 -0500
I also have recieved an erroronious OAN charge on my telephone bill from AT&T and you would think that as large
as they are that they would be all over this phony OAN Services.That just shows’how well the phone companies try to protect their customers’.
I am hardpressed to believe that this has gone on so long and nothing has been done by the FCC or FTC.Let’s flood the FCC and FTC with E-mails and maybe we can make some sort of effect on this BOGUS Co.and it would not hurt to do the same to your local telephone carrier.WAKE UP PEOPLE!!we have to protect ourselves when the US and LOCAL Government wont.Do your share and crank-up that PC and
flood them with mail.
From: Victoria Pace
Date: 2008-09-03 16:12:20 -0500
I spoke with Verizon a few minutes ago and told them about a fraudulent charge from OAN on my phone bill. I told them I was not going to pay that portion of my bill. They are removing the charge and placing a third party block (I think it is called) on my number. I quoted extensively from this website which I had in front of me, especially the posts from persons who also have Verizon so that the helpful and understanding supervisor, Sherry in Ohio, could have no doubt that Verizon is aware of OAN. I gave her this website address and invited her to look for herself and become informed about OAN, she took down the website address and said she would look. Sherry also asked me to call OAN Services, Inc. which I did immediately after hanging up from Verizon.
I just got off the phone with OAN Services, Inc. 1-800-892-8424 speaking with Kristine #82612 which by the way is also my confirmation number for my credit refund to my phone bill. She was reluctant to believe that the call hadn’t been made and explained that they were just a billing clearinghouse and not the actual telecom company. I told her that I knew that and that the charges were fraudulent and that if they were involved in passing on fraudulent charges from a fly by night company that I knew they had received complaints about before, then that made them part of the fraud. I told her that I knew OAN and some of the companies they bill for had been reported to the FCC, FTC, various BBB’s, various state’s PUC’s, and AG’s offices in various states and that as soon as I hung up from talking to her I was also filing complaints with these agencies. Kristine also explained that 10 15 15 800 (it is shown as 101 515-8000 on my Verizon bill making it look like a legitimate phone #) is an access code for directory assistance. I explained to her that in every phone book I have and also according to Verizon, the way to reach directory assistance is by dialing the area code of the area you are looking to find a number in, then dialing 555-1212. Verizon was not familiar with dialing 10 15 15 800 to reach directory assistance. I told Kristine we have the phone numbers of people we want to call and haven’t used directory assistance in years and years and that if on the off chance we did need help we would use the method described in the front of our phone book, 1+area code+555-1212. I told her also that my husband had been at work that night and I was most likely asleep at that hour. I then asked her that assuming I suddenly woke up and felt an urge to call an unknown directory assistance to get the phone number of some unknown (to me) person in some unknown place, how would I have gotten these strange (as Verizon put it) access numbers to this strange directory assistance seeing as how they are not listed in the front of any phone book under the how to reach directory assistance instructions? I repeatedly asked her how I would have gotten this unlisted access code to a strange directory assistance seeing as it is not in the phone book. She kept offering the same explanation word for word each time I asked. I finally said that I knew she was reading from a script and to put the script aside and answer my question “Assuming I woke up and suddenly wanted to make a call to this particular directory assistance, where would I locate this access number so I would know how to make the call to this directory assistance?”. Eventually after many repeated tries she said it would have been on the recording. I asked what recording? She said it would be on the recording I would have heard when I called a disconnected number. I reminded her I was sleeping and wouldn’t have been dialing a disconnected number in my sleep. By the way there is no record in their bill of any attempted call to a disconnected number. I asked her “then the only way I could have obtained this access number to this directory assistance is from a recording and no other way?” and she said “that is correct”.
So there we have it folks. For those of us that have been billed for “directory assisatanc” from OAN using access number 10 15 15 800, according to OAN’s own Kristine #82612, there is no way to get this asscess number other than to try to dial a disconnected number that you probably didn’t have in the first place.
This just gets curious-er and curious-er. After I’m through typing this, I will be getting on the websites you all have suggested and filing complaints. Thanks for everyone’s input.
From: John, NY
Date: 2008-09-23 09:19:14 -0500
This Is BULL. I got a bill with OAN Services charge for $13.08 and called the verizon CSL. They removed the charge and put a block on third party calling. I think we should gather all these accounts and sue the hell out of OAN and its subsidiaries/ parent companies and maybe even go after Verizon.
From: john_3000
Date: 2008-10-21 13:28:45 -0500
As is discussed in the many notes above, the man behind all this crap is one
Willoughby Farr. He became a millionaire while in prison for “driving violations” by running this scam and is still in prison. Here is a story on it all:
tcpalm–DOT–com/news/2008/may/16/seized-items-jailhouse-millionaire-being-sold-sund/
Of course you have to replace the –DOT– with a period.
It appears our Federal Trade Commission is nearly useless as an agent for justice. Here is their most recent compilation of case statuses:
ftc–DOT–gov/ogc/status/status.pdf
Search in the document for Willoughby to see a history of the case. All they did is recover a small fraction of the $35M he stole. As far as I can tell he gets zero additional jail time. Here is the FTC acting like they’re not completely useless:
ftc–DOT–gov/opa/2008/03/cram.shtm
There is nothing there or in similar FTC pages about his mother and co-conspirators that suggests the apparent truth — THE SCAM IS STILL GOING ON.
From: DWood, CA
Date: 2008-10-21 16:01:14 -0500
I just noticed a charge from OSP Communications (via The Billing Service) on my AT&T bill: $20 for a bogus 12 minute collect call originating in Glendale, AZ. Called AT&T, politely and firmly insisted on action, and got them to reverse the charges and remove it from my AT&T bill, which I had not yet paid. However, the AT&T guy said that now I need to keep an eye out for a bill from OSP – maybe, maybe not forthcoming, he didn’t know. At that point it’s up to me to deal with them, apparently.
How would they get my address, I wonder? From AT&T?
Waiting….
From: clint
Date: 2008-11-05 22:36:12 -0600
I have receive several bill from att with ona on them. one bill had them on there twice for $19.95 a peice. call att could not get answer so i call the 1800-926-6435 number. talk to several peoples could not get a straight answer telling me i had the wrong number.right today after about 4 month i`m still getting bill by them at $15.74 each time. any one with a soloution?
From: Raychel
Date: 2008-11-21 12:33:21 -0600
I just received charges to my Cox bill for a collect call that was never even placed. I was home all that day, and the phone never rang after 3 pm. (The collect call came at 8 pm.) Cox has stated they will remove the charge, and refund me my money, but they were unable to tell me who was charging me for the collect call or even their service number, so I could further investigate myself. The call was supposed to have taken place on November 5, 2008. My service was shut off November 6, due to moving out of the area (military PCS.) In fact, if I hadn’t been vigilante about the particular numbers on my bill, it would have gone un-noticed.
Also, the phone number that “placed the collect call” came up as a BUSINESS number when I searched online. I couldn’t get a name or address, without paying a fee. What business, does a BUSINESS have making a collect call to a residence anyway? I guess I’ll have to WAIT to see how everything turns out, considering Cox (who tried to charge me for equipment I had returned to them) says they won’t be able to get me my refund for services I had already paid for, for another 1-2 billing cycles. (Which irritates me beyond belief considering I should have gotten the REFUND check with my last statement…but since they wanted to charge me for the modem, I have to wait.)
Needless to say, I am not very happy with Cox, or this scam-operation…I’m just glad Cox finally said they would take the collect call charge off my bill.
From: Sue
Date: 2010-04-26 08:23:17 -0500
It is now April 26, 2010. I received an unauthorized charge on my Verizon bill, “billed on behalf of Access Savings,” it says. It further says to contact Operator Assistance Network at 1-800-944-9646 “if you have any questions concerning this portion of your bill.” I called, and can’t reach a live person. There is an option to cancel your account, even though I never opened an account with them, and it asks me to verify my e-mail address, and they have some long e-mail address that is nothing but a very long jumble of letters and numbers. When I hit the option to say it is incorrect, I get hung up on. Obviously these people are still at it, and have been for years, and nothing is being done about it! There have even been local news stories done about this across the country.
I called Verizon and the customer service rep said she’s never heard of this scam or this company, even though a google search reveals complaints going as far back as 2005. She said she removed the charge and put a “third party block” so that no third party companies can bill me through my Verizon account anymore. My question is, why did I have to go through all the trouble in the first place, and why is Verizon allowing these charges, considering it’s a well-known scam that’s been going on for years? In my mind, Verizon is complicit in this. Think about it, do you think Verizon (or any of these other companies mentioned) are billing on behalf of OAN or Access Savings out of the kindness of their hearts, or are these “legitimate” phone companies receiving a benefit (a small fee) to do the billing? I reported not only OAN and Access Savings, but also Verizon to the FTC and state Attorney General. People have been reporting them for years with no results, but maybe if enough people report them, then something will finally be done.
From: peter
Date: 2013-01-05 17:20:24 -0600
Just got an sms saying that they will charge $9.99 for sms181.com? called the 800 number only to be given a runaround . finally they said to hold will connect to customerservice.
was left holding for 12 minutes & 5 minutes.
went on the internet was shown sites with sms171.com
and many more