"Phillip M. Vogel" <phillip@bartal.com> (04/23/91)
Imagine my surprise when I got a mailing from AT&T inviting me to change my long distance service. Well, this would be expected (but still not acceptable), except that there was a pre filled out card with two of my phone numbers on it. Both of these numbers are "unpublished", and have never been serviced by AT&T. Where did AT&T get my numbers? The only explanation I can come up with is that NJ Bell sold it to them. By the way, one of the numbers is serviced by Sprint, and the other by MCI. I intend to call NJ Bell and register a complaint, but I don't expect to get very far. I really take exception to the fact that they charge me monthly for having an unpublished number (in this case two), and then charge other people for calling directory assistance to get the numbers, and on top of all that, they'll give the numbers to anyone with caller id, and if that wasn't enough (and don't you think it oughta be?), they turn around and sell my precious private numbers to a mass marketer. Give me a break, please. Does anybody have any information that may be useful to me in what promises to be a long battle with the phone company? I just can't see letting this slide, but I'm not sure how to proceed. Phil unhappy-in-NJ Vogel Phillip M. Vogel, President | #include "/disclaimers/std.h" Bartal Design Group, Inc. | Domain: phillip@bartal.com 318 Marlboro Road, Englewood, NJ 07631 | (201)567-1343 FAX:(201)568-2891 [Moderator's Note: The fact that your numbers are non-pub has no relevance in this case. The local telco is required, by the terms of the MFJ, to share billing information with the various long distance carriers. If you made *any* call on AT&T (are you positive you have never done so after divestiture but prior to electing your carrier of choice?) then AT&T is entitled to have the name and address which goes with the number. Another explanation is that if your local telco does the billing for AT&T, then AT&T may have paid the local telco to do a mass mailing for them based on telco's records ... with AT&T not actually knowing who got the mailing unless/until you respond. PAT]