Tom Allibone, Director of Audits:tom@teletruth.org
Bruce Kushnick, bruce@teletruth.org

HOTLINE: 1-800-780-1939, circuits@teletruth.org
Information Page and FAQ About the Case and HOTLINE.
http://www.teletruth.org/circuits.htm

Verizon N J Settles Class Action Alleging Overbilling for Special Circuits.

Teletruth Sets up Customer Hotline -- Are You Owed Money From Verizon, NJ?

A) Inoperative Circuits and Missing Discounts. In Teletruth phone bill surveys and audits we uncovered multiple mistakes on New Jersey phone bills. Teletruth has assisted in two class action suits seeking recovery for New Jersey customers.

B) Overbilling for Special Circuits. The current lawsuit alleged that Verizon continued to bill customers for inoperative circuits that are no longer in use. This included non-switched analog circuits that have been removed, destroyed, or otherwise ceased to be used.

C) Special Circuits Affected: These 'non-switched' analog circuits are commonly used for:

• Burglar alarm circuit. Could also be used for a fire alarm.
• Telemetry circuit. Used for remote meter reading or control signals.
• Private line. Used as an automatic ringdown circuit, like a hotline.
• Radio tie line. Used to connect radio base stations to antennas.
• Off premise extension. Used to connect a dialtone line at a remote location.
• Off premise extension. Used to connect to an answering service.
• Data circuit. Low speed data line between 2 or more locations
  

D) Refunds could be large: For example, if a customer is paying for an inoperative burglar alarm circuit, they could be entitled to refunds ranging from $600 to over $2,300 for a low-speed data circuit.

E) Teletruth Hotline and Free Auditing Service formed for New Jersey businesses. In order to receive the benefits of the settlement, the customer must take action on or before the date printed in the settlement notice, which should sent out by October 4, 2006. If you do not receive a notice and you think that you are being billed for special circuits that are not in use, you can contact Teletruth immediately.

F) Case and Counsel for the plaintiffs: Mehri & Skalet, PLLC, Sheller, Ludwig & Badey, PC, Seeger Weiss LLP, and Lee & Associates. The case is Junto v. Verizon New Jersey, Inc., Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Middlesex County, Docket No. MID-L-000297-03.

G) Verizon denies any liability and all allegations of wrong doing.