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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?

Norma of Ft. Worth, TX July 21, 2009

I never heard of American roaming or ZPDI until I received a bill totaling 1,994.01 and they informed me it was for calls from a phone not in service. I did not now that was possible. It should be some kind of a warning to customers or something when people get back to back calls from these numbers my phone bill is never over 65.00 dollars. I feel that AT&T should be held responsible for this, because as our priority phone company they should protect their customers when charges are being made to the account. What happen to those days when companies protected thier value customers. We have had AT&T for 15 or 20 yrs and this is how we get treated. I am very displeased on how AT&T conducting business with fraudlent companies.

Raymond of Little Elm, TX June 23, 2009

Why is AT&T in alliance with ZDPI. Monthly billing for collect phone calls not received - we refuse to pay for services not wanted or received

Jane of Berea, OH June 15, 2009

This month I have been billed for 41.97 for a collect call from a pay phone in the United Kingdom. The charge was up on my AT&T telephone bill without my permission. I do not know anyone that was traveling in the UK nor do I know anyone that lives in UK. Today I spoke to AT&T rep.-(Janelle). She told me that they can not remove the charge and that I had to talk to Zero Plus Dialing, Inc at -888-502-0734. I spoke to their rep. (Tom)at that number and he told me that someone at this nymber had to have accepted the call. I can assure you that I would not have accepted a collect call from an International collect call. I then spoke to the supervisor (Victor) and he also told me that they would not remove this charge or credit me because I accepted the call. I assurerd him that I wou7ld not have accepted a collect International call since I do not have any family or friends outside of the USA. I will get dunned and charged a late fee on my telephone bill if I do not pay this.

Joann of Springfield, OH June 13, 2009

To whom it may concern; I am writing to complain about some charges that were on my AT&T phone bill from a company called Zero Plus Dialing, Inc. I had 5 charges @ 5 minutes each for 4.30 each. I admit I accepted 3 (which I regret) but 2 of these calls went to my answering machine. I called AT&T and they told me if the machine picks up it is accepted. I also sent them a letter of complaint, that they are doing business with a company that has tons of complaints against it. If I don't pay the bill they turn off my phone and they won't sent these charges separately. I hope that you can do something to change the rules so that people are not getting ripped off.

C of Valdese, NC June 5, 2009

I hae a 700.00 phone bill for 3rd. party calls that were not made or received by me. There was a mentally disturbed person at my house, staying with a sister, who must have made or received calls I know nothing about from these companies and have never heard of. What can be done, refuse to pay them. yes. These companies do not even have a legal department. Send in a dispute, yes but/they will not remove the charges-regardless of the situation. JUSY DON'T PAY THEM, YOU DON'T HAVE TO. BLOCK ALL THIS TRASH with your phone company.

sandra of Pickering, ON June 3, 2009

I'm being charge 53.45 from the ZPDI on my phone bill with call type 4E wich describes de collect non-taxable and I'm sure I didn't accept this type of call, I'm very angry with this situation, please guide me on what to do.The number that appears in my bill is 503000000.

Lisa of Albany, OR May 27, 2009

Recently I discovered that I was unable to receive collect calls on my home phone apparently due to my personal settings for incoming calls. I called my carrier Qwest who assisted me in correcting the matter. Just to make sure that my line was working properly my husband and my nephew went to local pay phones to call me collect just so we could "test" my home line and to reassure me that I could receive collect calls in case of an emergency. Both of the collect calls were made from pay phones at two separate local Dari Mart Inc. store locations in Albany Oregon. Each call that was placed were less then one minute in duration.

When I received my home phone bill I immediately noticed that it was much higher than normal. I then noticed additional billing from ZPDI (Zero Plus Dialing Inc.) on behalf of Custom Teleconnect. I was charged three minutes for each of my less than a minute calls for a total of 34.60. One call was 14.16 and the other call was 20.44. I have filed a consumer complaint with the Department of Justice in the State of Oregon. I will also be filing a complaint with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission and forwarding copies of both complaints to Oregon State Senator Ron Wyden.

Custom Teleconnect has responded to the Justice Department Complaint claiming that "rate quote information is printed on the lower signage card on every phone." This is a misleading statement since the rate quote information does not include collect calling rates for Custom Teleconnect or any collect calling service provider. In retaliation to my complaint Custom Teleconnect has also blocked my home telephone from being able to receive any calls in which they are the long distance or operator service provider. My home phone service provider Qwest was very understanding to my situation. They did credit my phone bill for the excessive charges and also informed me that it is very common for consumers to be taken advantage of by unethical companies such as Custom Teleconnect and Zero Plus Dialing who are all willing participants in pay phone service scams.

george of houstgon, TX May 20, 2009

I received a bill from my phone company (have no idea why I still pay for a land line) for 167.81. Normally my bills are around 50, but I missed one month (on vacation) yet still thought this was a little high despite missing one payment in 5 years. I investigated this bill and saw that my charges included 67.83 from a company called ZPDI (Zero Point Dialing) for collect calls. (that near 70 is for a whole 6 minutes of calls, and I'm sure they are rounding up.)

I called the company and informed them that I pay ATT for a service to automatically reject collect calls to my number and was told: "We would be happy to reverse the charges if you give us the date you placed the service on the account, the confirmation number, the representative's name and their direct dial number." Knowing full well that my records aren't that good being that I had the service for 5+ years.

I told ZPDI this was rediculous, there is no way I would have that information from such a long time ago and besides, I doubted that anyone at ATT would just give me their direct dial number. The ZPDI manager (Mark from the Phillipines) told me that I have no other choice and that they are infact just the party trying to collect and that my issues are with the connecting party, a company by the name of Custom Teleconnect.

I called CT's number and got a voice mail. After researching both companies on the internet, I found many people have been taken in by these scams but ZPDI usually just tacks on 2 or 3 dollars nothing in the amounts I've been billed. They also settled with the FTC in late '08 but apparently are up to their same tricks and being more bold about it.

Any who, regretfully, I called ATT. Sure enough, I do have collect call rejection on my line and no notes could be found as to who initially put the service on my line, what their direct number is, or even if that person still works for ATT. Then I was fed a line that the service is not theirs and eventhough it is on my ATT bill, they are not responsible for the problem. Oh and by the way, there are no supervisors to take my call. I would appreciate any guidance you could give me to fix this problem. Cheers, Matt PS: incase you are curious, I live in Houston Texas and the collect calls were made from: Christo's Sandwich Shop (617) 298-9756 1245 Adams St Dorchester Ctr, MA 02124

mona of roseburg, OR May 18, 2009

this company charge my qwest phone bill with a collect call made from a pay phone to my home phone without my permission.this should not be allowed

Lori Wilbert of Darby, MT April 28, 2009

My son has been in two corrections facilities. Upon entering he gave me a number to call to get a quote on prices for collect calls. With every monthly bill provided for me from my Qwest utility, I have been grossly over charged by ZPDI. Speaking with them is like speaking to mud...they just won't listen to anything! Last month's billing was the worst, because I was being billed 11.39 each and every time my son even dialed my number. I DID NOT ACCEPT (BUT ONE) COLLECT CALL. My total bill came to 218. ZPDI refused to credit my account (second month running) so I turned them in to the FCC. These guys (FCC) got a credit adjustment of 82 on my behalf. My bill arrived in the mail today...and although it only shows one collect call (which I DID NOT ACCEPT) and it's for 11.39...it's still bogus and it still irks me that these wankers are allowed to stay in business at any level and continue screwing hundered and thousands of people (ZPDI). Can't they be put out of business? I have copies of all records and letters to the FCC.

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