AT&T ‘billing error’ overcharges thousands in Tennessee

Representatives of the New Jersey-based company acknowledged the error during a Friday meeting with Tennessee Regulatory Authority officials. The mistake impacted former AT&T customers who use BellSouth, which in many cases passes along long-distance charges on their billing statements.

In a statement released by TRA, the company said, “AT&T confirms that we experienced a billing error caused by systems issues affecting some of our customers, as well as consumers who are not customers of AT&T but billed through third parties.”

Eddie Roberson, who heads TRA’s consumer services division, said the company has promised to refund the charge to those who’ve already paid it, and send a letter of apology to each.

“We are still investigating the charges,” he said.

TRA could fine the company $1,000 per incident, according to state law.

AT&T says the problems occurred after it received permission to charge a $7.50 connectivity fee, Roberson said. But when it pulled its list of customers, it also mistakenly included a list of former customers, he said.

Roberson says the problem isn’t unique to Tennessee. Investigations into similar charges have begun in several states, including Connecticut and New York.

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On the Net:

AT&T, www.att.com

Tennessee Regulatory Authority, http://www.state.tn.us/tra/