Dear Consumer Advocate

Please pardon any poor grammar or editing. Hard as I try, I cannot write properly.

There is a scam going around. Two men from Century Link came to my door offering a promotion to subscribe to Century Link. I only talked to them because I needed a landline for an emergency necklace ( I have MS and fall).

The offer sounded too good to be true: around $45 per month for internet and phone. I asked about fees and taxes and told it would not be more than $45 (I haven’t had TV via cable or dish for over 3 years due to cost.) So, I call to check and was told again yes, I  would be getting phone and internet for $32 and with fees and taxes my monthly bill would be around $45. I record my telephone conversations because it is difficult for me to write and I have cognitive issues.

I was with Century Link but changed because when I moved from one apartment to another I was charged for TV bundle that I did not have. That was easy to take care of. I asked before I moved if there were any cost to moving my service and told no. However, after I took off the TV I never had, my rate went up. My representative payee had me on auto pay so imagine my surprise when I got an over due notice of $70 about three months later for the an increase I was told I would not have. I was told it was because I moved. I did not pay the $70 because it was unjustified and switched to TWC.

NOW I NEEDED A LANDLAND SO I SIGNED UP FOR THIS OFFER AFTER TALKING TO TWO REPRESENTATIVES THAT CONFIRMED THE GREAT PRICE. THE INSTALLER TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE STORE BECAUSE THE AMOUNT DID NOT SOUND RIGHT. SO I DID. I HAVE A RECORDING OF THE MANAGER TELLING ME THAT MY MONTHLY COST WOULD BE AROUND $45 AFTER I STATED THAT I HAD NOT DISCOUNTED TWC OR CONNECTED THE CL MODEM. I SAID I WOULD BRING THE MODEM BACK THAT DAY.  Usually I tell people if I am recording them but in this case I was so upset I did not.

Cut to it. I never got a bill by mail or an email. I created an account so I could see what I owed. For the first month I owe $220. However I got discounts so my bill is $170? I called customer service and was told what the representatives put in the system which says I was told every time that my bill would be around $75 . That is not true and I will testify under oath.

The issue I have is the door to door soliciting, the blatant lies and the fact that not even the FCC can do more than submit a complaint to Century Link.  The invoice is ridiculous. Even if I had cognitive function I used to, the bill is a maze. On-line just tells me the telecommunication providers are too big to fight. Here there are only two home phone providers. Where I live there are only two internet providers.  I cannot afford TV, internet and phone. I gave up TV and use internet for news . Now I am going to give up home internet. I have to have a landline.

I am attaching my bill. Just look at page 3. I know that the cable, internet and phone providers are advertisers but I am hoping you will look beyond the money. There are so many folks that use very little services only to be mislead and charged insane amounts. As well, there seems to be a system to these unethical billing practices.