TCU Scam

The TCU (Total Calling Unit) Long Distance Scam!

BILL W., A SMALL BUSINESS owner in La Grange, Illinois had heard of the low 3.9¢ per minute long distance rate being offered corporate giants, but mistakenly thought it wouldn’t apply to him. So when a telemarketer offered Bill a low 5.9¢ per minute rate, he signed-up immediately. After all, his AT&T One Rate plan was actually costing him 24 cents per minute after factoring in hidden charges. Months later he discovered he was actually paying 27 cents per minute for his new long distance service!

Ted L., a New York businessman was equally impressed by the telemarketer’s pitch and inferred affiliation with MCI-Worldcom. He jumped at the chance of receiving 5.9¢ per minute long distance, especially since he knew his current MCI plan was 26¢ after adding in their hidden charges. Several months later he found the new plan was actually costing him 29 cents per minute and the carrier's relationship with MCI Worldcom was nothing more than that of a supplier/reseller.

In both these and thousands of other cases, the carrier offered prospects low, entry-level long distance rates, with a slight 1-3 cents increase per calling unit after a 30-60 day trial period. Sounds good... but how did the rate suddenly skyrocket almost 500%?

This latest long distance scam is deceptively simple:

  1. Entice the prospect with a low introductory fee such as 5.9¢ per minute for interstate long distance
  2. Advise the prospect the fee will increase slightly to 6.9¢ per calling unit after a 30-60 day trial period
  3. Sweeten the offer with freebies such as several "free" invoices over a period of time

How can anyone pass this up? Looks good, doesn't it?

Surprise! That 6.9¢ per calling unit is NOT 6.9¢ per minute! The key words are "calling unit," and when these slicksters hustle their program, it’s done with such precision and finesse you hardly hear the words mentioned.

    BUT, DEPENDING ON THE CON, THERE MAY BE 2, 5, EVEN 10 CALLING UNITS PER MINUTE! That can bring your actual per minute charge up to an astonishing 59¢ per minute or more!

But that's only the beginning! Remember those free invoices we mentioned? Well, the fine print indicates the offer is void if you don't immediately confirm your desire to receive them upon signing on. And oh yes, the actual amount of the "free" invoice depends on previous usage as well as the lack of any break in continuity of service. Which opens another Pandora's box: they have a litany of events which can trigger discontinuance of your service including any violation of "company rules." And even if your service is discontinued for five minutes, it serves as a break in continuity.

And finally, as if to rub salt in the wounds, their tariff structure provides for a non-usage charge on all calls. That's right... you get charged extra if your call is too short!

Although dozens of flim flams have surfaced since the 1996 Telecommunications Act became effective, the Total Calling Unit scam is one of the best, one of the most effective, and one of the most difficult to detect. Unfortunately, these scams have created a negative atmosphere and a reluctance on the part of business owners to switch to the superior service offered by truly low cost carriers such as Qwest, Frontier,  and Global Crossing.

So how do you fight these guys? Where can you go if you've been fleeced? Who can you trust to help in regaining control of your long distance bill?

If you’ve been caught in the Calling Unit flim flam, call your Communications Consultant immediately! Senitel Communications, a division of Jack Koenig & Associates (consultants to business and industry since 1976) has been providing clients with FREE advice on rates and service since the Telecommunications Act became effective. If you would like their help in recovering from the TCU flim flam and switching to a true 3.9¢ per minute rate, good 24 hours/day, seven days/week with no hidden charges, call Senitel’s TOLL FREE Solutions Line at 877-853-9700.

    But whatever you do, don't dump the scammers by yourself!Use our “Best Rate" search engine, select a new, truly low cost carrier, and let them handle the job. Otherwise, you may end up with no long distance service at all!

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