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THE WORLD HAS GONE MAD

(3/28/2006)

Double or Nothing
What takes as long as pregnancy with less sense of accomplishment?

By Carrie Hutchens

Moving is rarely accomplished without a surprise or two, but little did I know that my surprise was going to last nearly nine months and be far more difficult than childbirth.

When I moved, I called to have my phone service transferred. Simple request. Something the company handles on a regular basis and has for longer than I've walked this earth. Yep, that long. However, this service transfer request was to be anything but the norm and it only got worse. Lots worse.

My service wasn't connected immediately because the prior residents had failed to have their service terminated. I was trying to grasp the "problem" presented to me from the phone company's perspective. I could be trying to put service in my name without the authority to do so? I asked, "And I would do that because...???" I asked that, but I was thinking... Because I like to go around taking responsibility for other people's bills? I don't think so. And even if there are people that do such things for wrongful reasons -- it wasn't as though I was a stranger to this company. I had been their customer for a good many years. And, I certainly didn't have to prove I was moving.

Upon my "word" -- they shut off service at my prior residence. Yet, when I get to where I tell them I am moving to -- my word has lost its value?

It didn't even matter that this company was fully aware I was calling from this particular house on this particular phone line. (It showed up when I called in.) If there was any question that I belonged in this house, making the request that I was making, why didn't they call the police to assure I wasn't holding the residents hostage for their phone line?

Two or three weeks into this entire mess, the phone company decides I can have a phone in my name with my own number and everything. I was excited. I was even more excited when I received the bill. Do what?

I had been charged not only for the time period I was denied service -- I was being charged for the services I once had at my previous residence--services that weren't even available in my new area. I called and reported the error. Shortly it was corrected. Then I learn I am being charged twice what the bill was before my call. All right! Double or nothing and I'm in the hole big time. Do I dare call again?

During one of my many calls, I report the fact that I am being charged for one of the phone lines I had. Worse -- it was still operational. I was asked, "Oh, you wanted that line shut off, too?" Can't think of a reason. Thought I'd drive 200 miles to go into someone else's home to use it ever once in awhile.

Took three more calls to get that line disconnected and the charges maybe removed. I wasn't counting on anything by this time.

At one point, I paid the exact amount I was told I owed just to get the board even while I worked on getting this account straightened up. To my surprise, I then received a bill for over three hundred dollars. I called and then the bill becomes over five hundred dollars. Not quite double, but scary enough. Do I dare call, I wonder again?

A representative called me and asked me about my bill. I gave her a brief over-view of what had transpired. She asked if that is why I suddenly paid the bare minimum? I said it was. That when I was paying the amounts said to be owed -- I wasn't getting anywhere. That I thought maybe if I went the minimum payment required -- that someone would pay attention and help me get this matter cleared up. I said it worked. She told me otherwise. She said I had gotten their attention all right, however, my account was in their department which was the last step before being sent out for collection.

This representative directed me to call a specific department and get my credit due from them. I was then to call back and advise her department of the actual amount being credited and name of the agent I spoke with. I did.

I'm betting you think this story is coming to an end here. Nope!

I received a letter saying that I had ignored the company's repeated attempts to resolve this matter; that if I didn't pay all of the disputed amount within a few days, my account would be sent out for collection.

For around eight months (by this point), I had been calling repeatedly trying to resolve this matter and yet I was said to have ignored their attempts to do so? I believe this is called transference. Passing off blame. And maybe a little attempt at intimidation to boot.

I took a deep breath and dialed the number still again. I told the woman that answered the phone that I now apparently have two accounts. That the new account was credited an amount due the old account. She transferred it. I made the comment, "Please don't double my bill."

She asked what I meant.

I told her that every time I called, my bill doubles.

She asked me to hold.

I did.

She transferred me to someone else. I kid you not.

Now, I got to have a whole new conversation with this representative. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut?

This guy said that the amount in question was credited to my account. I said it was because of this phone call. Because I called and told them and the woman before him transferred it to the right account.

He tells me I did receive credit on various things and I said, "Yes, but then the charges reappeared." I asked him to explain how I could have a single month's bill of $150 just for basic service -- no long distance? How I could be supposedly past due one amount and though it was paid -- I remain double that past due? And I reaffirmed what was showing as owed should never have been charged in the first place. Doesn't matter how many credits I received.

I said the simple thing would be to figure out how much I would have owed for the service I have and subtract what I paid. Apparently, that is what eventually happened. I received a refund check.

I bet you think it ends here. It doesn't.

Once again, I received a letter of thanks for using this particular long distance service. However, when I tried to make a test call, I found I still didn't have long distance. It's true. I was back to not being sure whether I wanted to call or not. Did I dare? What might my bill become if I did? Oh well, I couldn't stand it. I had to give it a go.

I initially had no clue as to what I was being told. I was receiving a free toll blocker. It normally costs $5.00 a month but I was getting it for free. And why did I want this service? So people can't make toll calls on my phone. And what if I wanted people to make toll calls on my phone -- me in particular? Then I needed to pay two hundred and some dollars. And why would I need to pay that? (Like I didn't know what is coming.) It was, of course, from that bill that never should have been. The one that seemed to clone itself and refuse to leave home. I tell her that bill is taken care of and as a matter of fact -- I received a refund check.

She immediately checks that account and immediately apologizes. She tells me my services -- like long distance -- will be on within four hours. It was more like four minutes. An effort appreciated.

During this nightmare of double or nothing -- double pay or no service -- there were indeed several individuals who tired to right this wrong. There were. I won't deny that. However, their efforts were ineffective because every time they tried to correct the account -- the computer system apparently decided otherwise. It's a shame when the computer makes the decisions and the people are just the tools.

On the other hand, there were several individuals who could not see past the computer. Could not think for themselves. Could not reason that something must be wrong in the charges. The computer says -- so it must be. Intellectual zombies controlling our accounts? Oh my!

I knew that moving couldn't go without a surprise or two but this adventure with the servants of the computer has been one heck of a trip. It's been double or nothing and no one even asked me if I wanted to play.

Carrie Hutchens is a former law enforcement officer and a freelance writer who is active in fighting against the death culture movement and the injustices within the judicial and law enforcement systems.