Cingular, Dayton, OH - Cingular's attempt to switch billing to electronic debit is misleading - difficult to opt-out if paying by check

# 17 for September 26, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on September 25, 2003:

From:

RE: Cingular, Dayton, OH - Cingular's attempt to switch billing to electronic debit is misleading - difficult to opt-out if paying by check

In this months billing, Cingular included a card that included the following: "Important Billing Notice. Cingular plans to begin processing your payments in a more efficient way.

When you send us a check as payment, you authorize us to clear your check electronically. Since your payment is being cleared electronically, you will not receive your original check back in your bank statement." No place on this card was there information about NOT allowing Cingular that type of access to my checking account. Only after a very long phone call with Cingular, did the service agent tell me her instructions regarding this matter: She could fill out an "opt out" form only for customers that call and LOUDLY complain. This would then take 7 days to process. The card they sent with their billing was deceptive and dishonest. A customer should not have to request that they not illegally access a private checking account. This practice should be stop immediately I have contacted the States Attorney General's Office