On September 23, 2010 on a trip to Montana we stayed unexpectedly at a Inn that did not have cell service. Since my sister was in critical condition back in NY I was forced to use the pay phone with collect call service.
When I returned home I received the bill for $33.35 from Custom Teleconnect, Inc. (CTI). The call was no longer than 3-4 minutes for conversation. Thinking it had to be a mistake I wrote to the company. Since my letter was not answered one month later, I sent a second letter and after 7 weeks received a reply. The Chief of Operations provided me a dissertation of how collect calls work and suggested that I purchase a prepaid phone card in the future to avoid collect calls. She also provided me with the courtesy of blocking any billing numbers in the future from calls in the CTI network. I found the blocking of calls quite hilarious since when I get through with the story of this call through CTI none of my relatives, friends, of mere acquaintances would be so inclined to use their service.
Reading other complaints on this website I am surprised that this can continue. The CTI representative calls it a bona fide charge; however, a SCAM is a SCAM is a SCAM no matter how you color it.