Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: drears@pica.army.mil (Dennis G. Rears (FSAC))
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Unauthorized Disconnection
Message-ID: <9590@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 10 Jul 90 20:32:18 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 473, Message 12 of 15


     I am in the processof moving from an apartment to a house.  My
last day in the apartment was today, Jul 10.  The person who is moving
to the apartment started moving in today.  She had called without my
knowledge and consent to have my phone service disconnected on Jul 9,
and her phone service connected Jul 10.  When I got home for lunch
yesterday my phone was out of service.

    I called the local NJ Bell repair service.  They told me the phone
was out of service but a order had been placed to disconnect the
phone.  They gave me a number for the service department.  I talked to
a woman who said, If you want your service restored for those two days
it will be an a $42.00 reconnection charge.  I protested stating, I am
the sole account holder, and never authorized any change.  I then
asked to talk to her supervisor whom after much argument agreed to
turn my service back on with no charge.  This conversation took place
at 12:30 PM on Monday.  When I left the apartment today at 0900 it
still wasn't on.
    
    Three points I would like to bring up.  First, the representative
said that unless somebody specifically tells the phone company they
want any change request for service verified it is not done.  This,
however convienent, can be danger.  Anyone can call up and say, I am
Mr.  Doe, phone number is XXX-XXXX and want my phone service
disconnected.  No verification.  The second point is that the only way
to get something done is talk to a sueprvisor and be firm on what you
want. The last point is do I have any course of action?  I am out
about $25 due to having to use pay phones and lack of a calling card.
Who can I complain to?


Dennis