Sorenson pay back $15.75M to FCC for improper billing of TRS Fund

ah no wonder I am told by sorsenson if I decide to transfer that Sorenson's number to other VR company less than two years. They will fine me for 300 bucks. I see why now.
 
It appears to have to do with IP based relay. It is very difficult to prove that one is Deaf or HOH, if any relay provider have text based relay account and couldn't confirm that the person that holds accounts are Deaf or HOH can not be billed for relay calls.

There was one of ADers here mentioning having trouble register with Text based relay service because he/she does not have drivers license and have no way to contact them to prove that this person is indeed HOH.

Now you all see why have to call relay operator of your choice to show them your ID and you have to testify that your Deaf or HOH to them. It is requirement by FCC.

Also, you see AT&T close relay service business because they were afraid of too many scammers fooling them into thinking they are Deaf or HOH but really they aren't and it is illegal under FCC eyes.
 
Frisky Feline said:
ah no wonder I am told by sorsenson if I decide to transfer that Sorenson's number to other VR company less than two years. They will fine me for 300 bucks. I see why now.
Click to expand...

Do you got free iPad from Sorenson? Do you have the contract from Sorenson?
 
Frisky Feline said:
ah no wonder I am told by sorsenson if I decide to transfer that Sorenson's number to other VR company less than two years. They will fine me for 300 bucks. I see why now.
Click to expand...

You probably got free iPad and 24 inch HDTV.

If you want to try other one - get a new number.
 
Royale said:
Sorenson to Pay $15.75M to Settle TRS Probe | FCC.gov

Qwerty123... What do you want to tell us about it? In other threads, you always bashed other VRS companies except Sorenson for improper billings and stuffs!!!
Click to expand...

As I read the document in the link you provided. It talking about refunding the money on text-based calls not Video Relay Calls.

Looks like that when all text based call that was made in the past, that text-based companies had no way proving if the callers is Deaf or HoH so FCC decided that all funds made before the registration of local number become a standard when the person have to prove they are Deaf of HoH that those funds had to be returned.

I think same thing that been happening to AT&T and Hamilton and Purple as the document explained. No wonder why some of those companies dumped text-based calls and not doing them any longer.

Remember back in the day all those hearing scammer from other counties were abusing all those text-based relay calls to scam companies in the USA making big order and asking companies ship it to them on credit.

I don't see any of the companies admit any wrongdoing in that document other then they all are willing settle and return the funds.

So I have to applause all those text-based relay companies acknowledge that they really couldn't prove if the callers were Deaf or HoH and returned the funds because there were no rules on how to handle those suspicious calls without invading one's privacy back then before the day registration and local number started by FCC become the standard.

Those companies earned my respect.


.
 
The Highlander said:
Do you got free iPad from Sorenson? Do you have the contract from Sorenson?
Click to expand...

i didn't sign any forms. I just got a call from sorenson couple of days ago and informs me about it. I dont know if i return sorenson call which is considered as a contract? :dunno:
 
Frisky Feline said:
ah no wonder I am told by sorsenson if I decide to transfer that Sorenson's number to other VR company less than two years. They will fine me for 300 bucks. I see why now.
Click to expand...

Really? 300 bucks?... I switched VP-200 to Z-20 device already and plus free iPad.

Maybe, Sorenson say "you're my favorite customer" if you switch number to other VRS. They feel betray you for ruin their business. hehe
 
Evo Dragon said:
Really? 300 bucks?... I switched VP-200 to Z-20 device already and plus free iPad.

Maybe, Sorenson say "you're my favorite customer" if you switch number to other VRS. They feel betray you for ruin their business. hehe
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I wasnt planning to transfer that number to other vr company. But its all new to me when i got a call from sorenson couple of days ago and told me about it. :shock: Apparently lots of deafies did that a lot and they all realize that then they try to call each of us who are thinking about to transfer. I never thought of using the number to transfer to other vr company anyway.
 
Frisky Feline said:
ah no wonder I am told by sorsenson if I decide to transfer that Sorenson's number to other VR company less than two years. They will fine me for 300 bucks. I see why now.
Click to expand...

What they did to you was just intimidation. Actually what they did to you was completely illegal because FCC did not allow this practice.
 
Illegal? Where did it say that it is illegal?

The issue was just billing to FCC on unverified customers that is all. What that means is that relay company creates account with a customer that was supposed to be Deaf or HoH, and if it was not verified that the customer is indeed eligible, therefore can not bill to FCC.

Royale said:
What they did to you was just intimidation. Actually what they did to you was completely illegal because FCC did not allow this practice.
Click to expand...
 
diehardbiker said:
Illegal? Where did it say that it is illegal?

The issue was just billing to FCC on unverified customers that is all. What that means is that relay company creates account with a customer that was supposed to be Deaf or HoH, and if it was not verified that the customer is indeed eligible, therefore can not bill to FCC.
Click to expand...

it's definitely illegal.
 
Most business have whats called ETF (Early Termination fee), there is nothing illegal about it. If you sign in with Verizon, and if you want to cancel contract earlier, there is ETF, same thing. Illegal? Nope.

Sorenson isn't only one, Z does that, P does that too.

VRS have that policy, the only brighter side with VRS using ETF comparing to majority of wireless carrier and other companies is that VRS companies WILL waive ETF as long as all the equipment is returned to VRS provider. Wireless carrier won't take equipment back and your stuck with ETF.

Too bad most Deafies wants functionality equilvent, so VRS are required to be equilvent with what normal hearing people have to deal with.

And care to prove me that it is illegal? It has to be from FCC.

Jiro said:
it's definitely illegal.
Click to expand...
 
diehardbiker said:
Most business have whats called ETF (Early Termination fee), there is nothing illegal about it. If you sign in with Verizon, and if you want to cancel contract earlier, there is ETF, same thing. Illegal? Nope.

Sorenson isn't only one, Z does that, P does that too.

And care to prove me that it is illegal? It has to be from FCC.
Click to expand...

is this thread about Verizon? no.
did we sign a contract with Sorenson? no.
are we paying for Sorenson service? no.

intimidating a customer is illegal.
 
Yes there is signature when you want to port to another VRS provider. Not many realize that.

When you go though registration, there is whats called EULA (End User Licensing Agreement), it is right there clearly written. When you click agreed, it is equilvent to your signature. Impossible to win over this.

Im talking about functionality equilvent. There is NOTHING illegal about ETF.

Don't make any exceptional for Deafies because Deafies aren't any special than hearing people, shame on you thinking Deafies can get away with it.

Free, free free free is all you care? Your embarassing Deaf community toward hearing community.

Jiro said:
is this thread about Verizon? no.
did we sign a contract with Sorenson? no.
are we paying for Sorenson service? no.

intimidating a customer is illegal.
Click to expand...
 
diehardbiker said:
Yes there is signature when you want to port to another VRS provider. Not many realize that.

Im talking about functionality equilvent. There is NOTHING illegal about ETF.

Don't make any exceptional for Deafies because Deafies aren't any special than hearing people, shame on you thinking Deafies can get away with it.

Free, free free free is all you care? Your embarassing Deaf community toward hearing community.
Click to expand...

care to show me this so-called Sorenson's ETF stating that they can fine you $300?
 
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