"Craig R. Watkins" <CRW@icf.hrb.com> (10/18/90)
Copy of "Action Alert" received via USMail 16-Oct-1990:
Bell Customers
Are You Eligible For A Credit Or Refund?
Check your October bill from Bell of Pennsylvania to see if
you received a credit. The credit should appear on the page titled
"Additional Credits and Charges", usually found on page 6 or 7 of the
bill. Bell agreed to pay a credit or refund to residential customers
who ordered or began to receive Touch Tone Service or any Custom
Calling Service (Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Three-Way Calling, or
Speed Calling) at any time from January 1, 1985 until March 20, 1988.
The amount of the credit will be based on the number of these services
you had during this period. Customers will receive a $14 credit for
each service.
Look at your October bill closely. If you do not receive a
credit on your bill but ordered or began to receive any of these
services between January 1, 1985 through March 20, 1988, please call
Bell at:
1-800-321-0064
You do not have to be a current customer of Bell to qualify.
Former customers may be entitled to a refund. Call the "800" number
listed above if you think you are eligible.
If you have or had optional services you didn't order or thought were
required for phone service {you may have a right to more than the $14
credit for each service}. If you are not satisfied with the amount of
the credit or refund you received from Bell, call the company at the
above telephone number. Bell representatives will review each call
and determine whether you are qualified for a full refund and, if so,
the amount of that refund.
This credit or refund is the result of a settlement of the
Consumer Advocate's complaint filed in March 1988 and joined in by a
prosecuting team from the PUC. The complaint alleged that Bell
violated Commission regulations and charged that Bell did not clearly
tell customers that the services listed above are optional. It also
charged that Bell gave false and/or misleading information about
certain optional services such as Touch Tone Service. Bell denied and
continues to deny these charges.
You should check your optional telephone services to make sure
you have only the ones you want or need. Please read the attached
"Action Alert" for tips to help you decide.
Prepared by Consumer Education
Bureau of Consumer Services
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
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The attached "Action Alert" described, among other things, that
"To have telephone service, you are required to have only the following:
1. A dial tone line.
2. A local calling plan.
3. Federal line cost charge.
All other services, such as Touch Tone, Inside Wire Maintenance
Plans, Call Waiting and Call Forwarding, are optional, and are not
necessary to have telephone service."
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This information was typed in and may contain errors. For more information
or an official copy, contact the PA PUC.
Craig R. Watkins Internet: CRW@ICF.HRB.COM
HRB Systems, Inc. Bitnet: CRW%HRB@PSUECL.Bitnet
+1 814 238-4311 UUCP: ...!psuvax1!hrbicf!crw