MCI offered to reimburse callers in the form of rebates
Starting in early 1994, I worked for my first-ever newspaper, The Northern Student, the student newspaper at Bemidji State University, where I attended and received my bachelor's degree in mass communication. Over three years, I would be a staff writer, news editor, managing editor and editor. I wrote everything from news stories to feature stories to sports stories to opinion pieces. It was the greatest training ground a journalist could ever have, and I am grateful to the many talented people I worked alongside in my years at The NS.
March 27, 1996
By Devlyn Brooks
Some BSU students, faculty and staff may be entitled to $50 of which they are not aware.
Because to two class action suits that were settled in federal court in Georgia, MCI has offered to reimburse callers of certain 900 phone numbers up to $50. These suits were filed by customers who called 900 numbers involving sweepstakes, games of chance, unclaimed funds, offers of credit and credit cards, which were operated by companies using MCI 900 long distance services.
The first suit, known as Andrews Action, alleged that MCI and other telecommunications companies violated laws regulating the operation of such services by offering incorrect information, said a spokeswoman for the 900 Number Settlement Administration.
The second suit, known as Harpers Action, alleged that MCI and other telecommunications companies violated state and federal laws by providing incorrect information about credit cards and catalog cards and by providing incorrect information on how to obtain either, said the spokeswoman.
According to a statement released by the 900 Number Settlement Administration, MCI has agreed to establish a fund of $43 million in free long distance certificates that are available to several million people who are reported to have used these services between 1989 and 1994.
"All who paid for such calls and did not receive credit or a refund are entitled to refunds in the form of free long distance certificates up to $40 for charges on calls to games of chance, unclaimed funds and sweepstakes programs and $50 for calls to programs offering credit and credit cards," according to the statement.
The grievance process is rather painless. It involves filling out a pre-made form and sending it, postage-free, to the Settlement Administration. The forms and pre-addressed envelopes are available in the Northern Student office. However, the client must not have received a credit or refund from the service, and the letters must be postmarked by March 31.
Kris Cannon, director of the former BSU student legal services, said that this offer is not a gimmick and suggested that any customers of MCI during the period of Jan. 1, 1988 to Nov. 1, 1994, should apply for the refund. "Just sign your name and guess how much you spent," she said.
According to the Settlement Administration's statement, "clients are not required to obtain old telephone bills or know the 900 number they called." Those applying need only to estimate phone charges toward those services. More information is available by calling 1-800-421-1269.
Comentarios