Complaint Review: MCI Worldcom - Nationwide Nationwide

On Dec. 16 1999 MCI telemarketing contacted our residence and offered us a better deal, than the carrier we were with. We run a small business out of our residence, just starting off the ground. On Jan. 7, 2000 we tried to fax a business deal over our fax machine and it would not go through. In calling MCI, they advised us that our long distance was disconnected "because we are not the type of customers that they want" although they called us at our home and signed us up via phone. We did not get any type of notification to this affect, it was just cut off in mid stream. On that day an MCI persons opened another account, without our permission and then closed it right away per a supervisor. They charged us for that open and close account of $ 5.55. Later in February, we recieved a bill for $ 5.55, which we paid. On March 2, 2000 we recieved a phone call concerning an outstanding bill for the amount of $ 35.03. We explained to the MCI person that the account was closed via MCI Worldcom with no notification, written or phone call and that we have not recieved a bill, in the amount of $ 35.03. They advised us that this was a different account, not the one for $ 5.55. We got a telephone number to contact and they transferred us 15 times (we counted). Finally we spoke to a Supervisor in the Financial Services Dept. she advised that she would credit our account for the $ 5.55 and send us a invoice with the credit on it, and the remaining balance of the bill. Today, on March 6, 2000 we received a COLLECTION WARNING 2ND NOTICE in the amount of $35.03 with no bill listing our calls made out. Once again I got transferred 5 times, and nobody wants to take account for what is going on, they all want to pass the buck, and they get real snotty when you ask to many questions. The last thing I was told was to contact Customer Realations in Iowa City, Iowa and talk to Todd Gerdes, no one has a phone number so I was advised to contact their Legal Department (makes you wonder why they have one) and that they would be able to help me get this matter cleared up as well as getting in touch with Todd Gerdes. I started this at 4:00pm and it is 7:30pm March 6th, and still no one has called me back.

Now remember, I am not disputing the money we owe to MCI, I am simply trying to get a copy of our bill. Also we lost money from the business job because they cut our long distance with no notification, and we are fixing to go to collections for a bill they have not sent me.

We did file a complaint with the Public Service Commission 1-800-342-3552, however nothing heard from them either.

Today 7th March, I recieved a phone call from the attorney MCI has, and she transferred me to a Fran Driscoll Executive Level Complaint Department, 800-893-7589, whom, at first seemed very polite and helpful wanting to find out the problem. She had to do some investigative work. When she called back she explained that she did not understand why the paper trail was handled the way it was, and that it would be brought to the attention of the board. She did state that she was going to zero out our account since it was only $ 29.14. Of course I did ask if she could send that in writting, and she replied yes she would. Trying to find out how and why something like this could happen, and if it would happen to another person, she got very defensive and started to interupt me, then started to speak to me like I was 3 years old.

As to my complaint to the Public Service Commission, they are investigating it and awaiting the responce from MCI, which will then be sent to me.

It is the little people who gets these big corporations going and off the ground, then, they seem to get too big, and forget who got them there in the first place.

MCI and Sprint are mergering together...... how many other people will this happen to?