Verizon and ACN representatives talk to Eyewitness News

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Story Published: Oct 21, 2008 at 6:39 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 4:01 PM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - Yesterday we told you about problems people were having after signing up for cell phone service with a company called ACN.

Today representatives from Verizon and ACN discussed the problem. Neither company was able to talk about the Ostrom's account in particular, but they say that this is the first time they've heard of a problem like this.

The Ostroms bought a cell phone in August. Money was taken out of their account, but they can't figure out where it was going. Veronica Ostrom, ACN customer said, "It's frustrating, because nobody will give you any answers."

ACN says they never directly bill a customer unless they buy phone accessories, or pay for faster shipping. John Beagley, ACN regional director said, "If they buy a phone that's not a free phone they'll pay the charge, whatever the purchase price was for that phone. There will never be a bill received by the customer, because they'll pay that right at the time of the purchase."

Verizon spokesman Bob Kelly declined to do an interview but says, "If you go to a third party cell phone provider make sure they are an authorized Verizon dealer." He went on to say, "If you have problems call Verizon directly so they can help."

We were also told that Verizon hasn't heard of ACN being an authorized dealer, but that they might be a re-seller. Something ACN disputes. Beagley said, "We just provide the same services that you could go into any retail store or outlet and purchase."

ACN has been selling cell phones and services for about the last year and a half, and serves a few thousand people in Idaho. Beagley said, "The only problems that I've ever seen is your typical cellular overcharges. If somebody gets a plan and they use more minutes then the company overchages them."

After we ran the story about ACN yesterday we received several calls from other customers.

They tell us they haven't ever had any problems with the company and love their service.

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