Councilman urges probe into prepaid phone cards

City Councilman Eric Goia is urging state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to probe the practices of phone card companies in New York. ?Our preliminary investigation shows that all too often these phone

News 12 Staff

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Mar 31, 2008, 2:05 AM

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Updated 6,114 days ago

City Councilman Eric Goia is urging state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to probe the practices of phone card companies in New York.

?Our preliminary investigation shows that all too often these phone cards are scams and are potentially violating state law,? says Goia.

The councilman says companies swindle customers, especially immigrants wanting to call family back in their native countries. Goia singled out the French Fried $2 calling card as a scam.

The card is supposed to offer 440 minutes, but callers only receive the full amount if they make one seven-hour call. After the initial call, fees are charged to the card?s owner.

Goia is telling residents who feel they?ve been victimized to contact the Department of Consumer Affairs.