AT&T charges elderly man $24,000 … for dial-up service

In March, an 83-year-old man from California was alarmed when he received a bill from AT&T for over $8,000.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Ron Dorff reported the billing error and the company said a technician would be sent out to investigate. That allegedly didn't happen, and the charges kept piling up.

By April, the senior owed a whopping $24,000.

Dorff only has dial-up service, with a subscription rate of $51 per month.

Explore>> Read more trending stories

Yes, dial-up service still exists. In fact, the Times reports that over 2 million people still have AOL dial-up Internet service.

Dorff again called AT&T, disputing the sky-high charges. A technician finally came out, but only said that there was something wrong with the modem.

When Dorff asked that the bill be reduced, the AT&T rep reportedly refused, claiming the elderly man, who lives on Social Security, would be required to pay the entire amount.

Dorff contacted the Times, and when a reporter inquired with the company, AT&T quickly removed the charges.

AT&T says the man’s modem was using a long-distance number to access the dial-up service, and the modem has since been reset.

About the Author

Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Georgia lost jobs in September, says 1st report since federal shutdown

Georgia’s job market cooled some in September, but the unemployment rate remained steady, according to new data released Thursday by the state Department of Labor.

Kemp trip to Asia to include Korea stop, adds Hyundai meeting after ICE raid

Gov. Brian Kemp is set to make his third trip to Korea since taking office, but this economic development mission will have a distinctly different tenor than previous visits.