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ZPDI: Zero Plus Dialing

ZPDI illustrates what happens when Congress is so busy trying to please warring lobbyists that it overlooks the consumer.

ZPDI • Feds Settle with BSG/ZPDI/Billing Concepts • Disputed Collect Calls • Expensive Collect Calls • Calling Card Calls • Hotel Room Calls • Scam Calls from Mexico • "Regular Carrier Unavailable" • Calls through Opticom --- • Congressional Action Needed to Stop ZPDI • You can fight back • ZPDI: What Can Consumers Do? • Consumer complaints about ZPDI and WXT Communications • Who's Behind ZPDI?

A little history: More than 70 years ago, Congress passed the Communications Act of 1934, which established a very orderly system that regulated telephone service, broadcasting and other public-service utilities. Everyone paid pretty much the same price and everyone got pretty much the same reliable, relatively inexpensive service.

It wasn't until 1996 that Congress once again stirred itself and, after decades of furious lobbying, passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which basically deregulated telephone service, cable TV and broadcasting as far as consumers are concerned, leaving in place just enough regulation to protect the big players who employ all those lobbyists.

ZPDI is a creature of the new "market-driven" telecom universe -- you know, the one that's brought you rising cable rates, bankrupt DSL providers and, oh yes, all the new local phone service competitors. (See ZPDI: Behind the Screen)

What can you do?

• Fight back. We have reports from consumers who've done it and won.
• Write your Congressional representatives. Unless you live in Washington, D.C., you are represented by two Senators and one Member of Congress. To get their addresses, type your Zip code in the box above. More on this topic.
• Complain loudly, publicly and bitterly to ZPDI's "partners." ZPDI is a billing agent for companies and institutions that own the telephones in hotels, hospitals and prisons and for payphones located in stores, airports, schools and on street corners. The owners of the phones are getting a big cut and you should let them know you don't like it.

Here are a few sample complaints. You'll find many more in the categories listed to the right.

ZPDI • Feds Settle with BSG/ZPDI/Billing Concepts • Disputed Collect Calls • Expensive Collect Calls • Calling Card Calls • Hotel Room Calls • Scam Calls from Mexico • "Regular Carrier Unavailable" • Calls through Opticom --- • Congressional Action Needed to Stop ZPDI • You can fight back • ZPDI: What Can Consumers Do? • Consumer complaints about ZPDI and WXT Communications • Who's Behind ZPDI?

Kathleen of sacramento, CA September 19, 2009

I received an online ebill from ATT and I now have a 54 charge for a call that was placed from an unknown # my machine took the call twice, I can't beleive that this is legal and will definetly contact every agency and attorney I can I'm pissed with things slim to none as it is these people are also trying to rip off!! Incredible that this is allowed!

M of Milton, VT September 15, 2009

When we received our phone bill there was a third party charge on it for more than 35.00 to a number that we had never heard of. I knew from the date and time of the call that we were out at the time that it had occurred. It was the weekend so I couldn't get hold of anyone yet so I spent some time online researching the company. I was shocked to see so many people relating experiences with this company and realized that they must be trying to bill me for a collect call attempt on my answering machine. Fortunately thanks to this website I was well armed with information. The person that I spoke to tried to claim that we must have accepted the call but I not only informed him that we were out and that it had been picked up by an answering machine I also gave him a list of regulatory agencies that I was planning to contact about the situation and said that I would contact a lawyer if necessary. He put me on hold for a bit and then came back and said they would reverse the charge. For good measure I contacted my phone company (Fairpoint Communications) and had them block all collect calls to my number.

Sharona of Rohnert Park, CA September 14, 2009

I received an phone bill and on it was a charge for a call that was made on August 3, 2009 at 1:41am through Zero Plus Dialing. First of all, I never used Zero Plus Zero. At 1:41am I didn't use the phone or answered the phone. My only thought it was through a third party. When I tried to look up Zero Plus Zero to find them on the internet, there isn't a physical address.

Clifford of Marrero, LA September 9, 2009

I live in marrero, La.70072. My grandson called from Pensacola, FL using a pay phone collect on 4 different days. the last call 13 minutes. The other times ranged 6 to 12 minutes. My bill for these calls was 201.01. I was uterly and totaly overwhemed. These people are highway robbers. I still have one more call to be billed and looking for the worst. I paid the bill but know I have been ripped off and changed my home phone to an unlisted number. and will never accept a collect call again

Nacakta of Sacramento, CA September 8, 2009

I have calls on my bill for the last two months totaling over 400.00 of collect calls. I have never recieved any nor excepted any collect calls from this place. I was told it is a prison, I do not know anyone in prison. I live alone. And work all day Im barely at home. The customer service rep states that the calls are valid, but they are not. I did not accept none of these collect calls.

My phone bill went from 62.02 to 635.01 in two months. I was on lifeline until these charges, now I am unable to pay this large bill, and my service is going to be disconnected on 9/16/09 unles the full amount is payed.

Bernard of Cary, NC September 1, 2009

Erroneously charged by Zero Plus Dialing Inc. for an alleged collect call made from an alleged prison in Wilmington, DE. We did not accept this alleged call and refuse to pay the charges. Received NO satisfaction from customer service at Zero Plus Dialing nor from AT&T.

Glennard of Dallas, TX August 26, 2009

ZPDI, with Value Comp., charges double amounts on collect calls from Correctional institution whre relative is held, also charges where only anwsering machine picks up. I have talked to primary service provider and they are unwilling to reverse charges back to ZPDI, and phone service has been cut off until payment is received. Call charges that primary provider had told were being credited back to the account have bounced back to the overall monthly bill which is now totaling over 600.00.

Lou of Pompton Lakes, NJ August 25, 2009

Over 400 of collect calls were made to my house and recieved by a minor child. I am investigating what was said on these calls but if it was adult content I will pursue with local police.

Sharon of Waddell, AZ August 24, 2009

My daugter called collect from a pay phone in England and we were charged outrageous prices for the calls. There was no standard rate for the different calls. 4 different calls 4 different rates, even though 1 call was only a few minutes from the last because we were cut off. (5.80, 7.40, 14.31 & 12.06 per minute) I called to complain on the first bill, Qwest would not do anything. I talked to Zero Plus they did give me a rate adjustment of 62.00 the first bill and the second a 38 credit which reduce the cost to 7.24 a minute, still outrageous!!!

Robert of Bremerton, WA August 24, 2009

Wife made collect call to me we talk for three minutes and we were charged 23.66. There was no operater usage and no cost were on the phone or givin to me. Zero Plus refused to help me.

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