Why Government Regulation does not always work

Last month I was shocked to see $35.54 extra on my Verizon phone bill.  It seems somebody signed up for long distance and internet fax services on my number instead of their own.  Instead of informing me of a change in my electronic debt, Verizon took the money out of my account.  When I saw this in my register at my bank, I was very upset–in fact it made me more than ever want to cancel my useless land line.  On the phone with Verizon I talk to Tony and explain that I did not authorize Verizon to increase their EFT and informed him I would appreciate a reversal of these charges that are not mine.  Well, Tony said he could put a block on these charges but could not reverse the fees–I had to call the random companies that can piggyback onto anyone’s phone bill.  To this I informed Tony that in the state of Washington I can contest this charge and put a stop payment on the EFT.  This seems to be a silly way of dealing with this issue and it would make more sense for Verizon to resolve this issue.  Tony goes and takes a leak and finds a “manager” that magically authorizes a credit to be put on my account.  Fair enough, now I will not have a bill for next month.

Enter this month: Verizon charges my account while a credit that is OVER the monthly charge sits on my account.  Should I be surprised?  What happens when the government de facto allows a company to become a monopoly but then to offer the olive branch of competition with these crazy services that can add onto Verizon’s bill.  I am resolved to cancel my land line forever and to demand my money back.  Tomorrow I will waste at least 30 minutes of my life on the phone…to the phone company.  

And one more thing; a company that claims to offer 21st century technology with wireless and internet connectivity cannot figure out a way to have email support for their land lines.  I know there are regional rules, but can they not route emails to the operators that already deal with these issues?  Pfft!  Verizon will see not even a red cent from me…I will let someone else charge me money for things I marginally need.