Complain about a product or service

UKI Communications / ILD Teleservices

UKI Communications, formerly American TeleNetwork, apparently claims to be a long-distance company at some times and a local service company at others. Most of the complaints we receive -- and there are many -- deal with "slamming," the abhorrent practice of switching customers from one long-distance carrier to another.

Customers, like those below, who have been "slammed" by UKI should write to the company at this address:

UKI Communications
720 Hembree Place
Roswell GA 30076

We recommend sending a certified, return-receipt-requested letter outlining the disputed charges and requesting an immediate refund. A copy should be sent to the Public Utilities Commission in the consumer's state and to the Federal Communications Commission.

Also involved in some UKI complaints is ILD Teleservices, a "billing clearinghouse." For more information and complaints, click here.

Betty of Dyer TN (2/13/03):
UKI Communications changed my phone service without my approval. I called UKI to complain. HE hung up on me. I called back and spoke with a lady. She said they will cancel it. This bill was very high. I paid the bill in full.

David of Jacksonville AL (2/13/03):
UKI and their partners (ILD Teleservices) are trying to scam me by applying charges ($5.40) to my BellSouth. They won't tell me just what I allegedly requested because there never was any request. BellSouth's attitude is total indifference because "it's your problem". I faxed the Alabama PSC a complaint ... no response yet. This is UKI's second attempt to do this to me. I foolishly fell for the first one and had to "eat" it for about $15 or $20.

"F" of Lorman MS (2/4/03):
On November 1, I received a call from a man saying that I have just received 1000 free long distance minutes. I'm thinking it's this company that I already deal with. When I received my November phone bill I could have fainted. They charged me $175.00 and some change. I already have a long distance plan arranged with my local phone company, for $71.00 per month, now why would I want to pay double what I'm paying already?

Well I called them and they said we'll have to listen to the recored message. I said OK, let's set up a time, and of me authorizing them to switch my services. Well the arranged day came, and went. No call playing a recording. I got another bill saying I now owe $170.00 and some change I SAID NO WAY! I supposedly owe this company almost $400. I will get an attorney before I pay this.

Alta of Huntsville AL (10/24/02):
I have NOT authorized the UKI COMMUNICATIONS to use any type of billing for my BellSouth service whatsoever. I left a massage that I wanted this matter cleared up and that they were to contact me to make sure that this type billing DOES NOT occur again. I am on a fixed income therefore I may have to also cut some of my medications that I am taking for my pervention of my cancer.

Robert of Phenix City AL (10/12/02):
I was charged for long distance setup without my knowledge, and I am still paying for my old long distance carrier. I have contacted my local phone company for help but haven't heard from them yet.

Karen of Hobart IN (10/5/02):
I am writing this for my parents who are in their late 80's. Someone called from this company and said we had ordered this, (we hadn't), my mother checked with me to see if it was something I had done. She had been told if she called back the next day and said she didn't want this service, it would not be started. She did, and they said it would not be billed to her. But it was, so I know this is a scam. We have been unable to contact them via the phone number appearing on the bill.

My parents are in ill health, my mother is on oxygen. I am the only child able to help, and I have Post Traumtic Stress Disorder (USAF Vet). There are a lot more important things to take up our time than being cheated by someone. I can't handle anymore of a load than I already have, I am already having trouble dealing with just the day-to-day things.

Marjorie of W. Burlington IA (10/2/02):
Called to offer a free 1000 min. phone card. Confirmation was a computerized voice requesting name, address, etc. Never mentioned changing my service before the recording. I did not authorize this. This was fraudulent. The final message was that my service would be changed and if I had any questions to contact the website www.uki.com, which doesn't exist.

Laura of Miami (9/16/02):
I have cancelled my service with this company, but, without my authority they continue to switch services and put their company back. On every occasion, the change lasts for about a month and then it is "mysteriously" changed back to their company. I have tried to contact them by phone but no one answers. When I sent them a letter, it was returned claiming that they had moved to another location, which remains unknown.

Lori of Stewartville MN (8/26/02):
This guy called to inform me all residences in the 507 area code have been overbilled on their long distance services. He said he was with UKI and if I just verify my name and address he will send me a $25 check and several free minutes. He also informed me that UKI will be the only long distance carrier available and I really don't have a choice but to switch over. I hung up on him when it came to the 15 second verification of my first and last name.

Lourdes of Burke VA (8/21/02):
On my local telephone service bill I found charges by ILD Teleservices, the billing clearinghouse for UKI Communications, Inc. that I have never authorized and phone calls that I never placed. I tried calling them to clarify the situation, but it was impossible to contact them since they operate by an automated system. I wrote them a letter and I will not pay the amount charged since I did not authorize those charges.

Kelly of Miami (4/9/02):
I received my telephone bill from Bellsouth. My long distance provider had always been MCI, however I noticed that there were charges from ILD Teleservices for UKI Communications at rates 3 to 4 times higher than the ones I have with MCI. I never authorized UKI to be my long distance provider. I called ILD and they said they could not do anything and I should contact UKI. I called UKI and spoke with David Thomas, the address and name in the record were different from mine and someone I do not even know appeared as the person authorizing UKI to provide the service.

Mr. Thomas was extremely rude so I asked to talk with a supervisor to what he responded that he was the supervisor. I said that if any, I would pay the equivalent of what I would had paid if my long distance provider would have charged me, which he refused. I asked for UKI to stop the service immediately. I tried in numerous occations and at different times of the day to call UKI to try to speak with someone different from Mr. Thomas but he would always answer the telephone. I did not pay the balance owed to UKI.

Michael of Auburn AL (4/8/02):
Changed my long distance service using fraudulent means and gave me outrageous bills.

Jesus of Woodside NY (1/22/02):
I understand that there are several complaints made against UKI Communications, which I never even heard of until now. I was billed for phone charges far in excess to what I normally pay for long distance service. I find out that I was switched without even knowing it and had been making long distance phone calls for a few weeks now and I am quite furious.

After viewing my bill I immediately called the 800 number on my bill. I was then told that I would have to dial another 800 number since this was not the actual customer service line. I called and they were quite upset at my inquiry. I had told them that I refuse to pay for these charges. They played a recording of me accepting this contract and it was obviously doctored. They have a system which they sell you something and tape you in the process. They then use this as a verification tool to get their unsuspecting victims. I had told them that this was not me and I had no recollection of even being contacted by these people. I was then threatened to be handed over to the collections agency for failure to pay for these charges which are fraudulant.

I was told by the supervisor, John Roa, that he would be doing me a favor and reducing the bill to the normal rate. I have a funny feeling that he will not do so. I am very angry right now.

Kelsey of Ontario, Canada, writes (9/12/01) on behalf of her employer, a large multionational food company:

The long distance service of one of our offices was changed without notice to us. When we contacted UKI communications to report the problem, then hung up on us. When we had our local phone provider contact them they were very rude and unwilling to be cooperative.

UKI claimed that someone had authorized the service change and clamied they had a recorded tape of the conversation. They played the tape for me. The call was in Spanish and the woman "supposedly" accepting the service was a woman, when the office belongs to a man.

Also, on the tape they specifically as this person to give the address of the residence. The address given does NOT match that of the address where this office resides. I asked them to remove the service and issue a credit it to us for the amount. The man on the other end of the phone was very upset and hung up on me.

I do not know how long this company has been charging our company for fradulent services. We have many accounts. Ecomomic damage has been yet to be determined. Other than upsetting me, I do not have any other damage. This company is wasting my time by making me track down when and who authorized fradulent charges on our phone bill. How many other people are they doing this to?

JoAnn of Berkeley had a similar experience (1/7/02):
Like the incident recently posted, UKI Communications changed my long distance carrier without my authorization. When I called the number given to me, I was given an outrageous wait-time of 40 minutes with a promise of a call-back when my turn came up. I did not receive the call.

Approximately a month before the change, a person claiming to be from my chosen long distance carrier (Working Assets) told me that they had in their records that my long distance changed, and told me the familiar deals with the company to get me back. I believed that I was signed up with my long distance carrier (Working Assets). I am still doing my personal inquiries, and continue to make the calls to my local phone provider, Working Assets, and UKI.

As this incident is fairly recent for me, I cannot yet describe the consequences. It is, for certain, a nuisance.

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