VOIP etc > Voice Over IP - VOIP > VOIP Tech Chat > Avoid Onebox and j2 at all costs!

Avoid Onebox and j2 at all costs!

"I'm pretty sure this is illegal (slamming), but even if not this is a very bad business practice. I'd advise everyone to stay far away from Onebox and j2 in general."

You may want to contact the FCC, I would.

reply to porter
Here is an interesting link:

»www.tollfreenumbers.com/onebox

J2 also includes eFax by the way.

reply to porter

NASC'ing is the process of forcefully migrating a toll-free number after the original carrier refused to release it.

It takes only 24 hours - but it costs about $50 - and as this example shows - the previous carrier can just go right ahead and NASC it back. There is nothing you can do other than sue them, apparently. In my mind this practice should be a criminal offense.

Ah. So it sounds like that wasn't the case in my situation because my number was not toll free.

And you're in Canada.

reply to Mango

NASCing Your Numbers

reply to porter

Re: Avoid Onebox and j2 at all costs!

Since they have already stated that they are not going to follow the rules I would preempt them by filing a complaint online with the fcc.

»esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

»www.fcc.gov/wcb/tapd/888/888faq.html

reply to deliberate
Did you see this? (THEY did the capital letters!)

b. Porting Out

IF YOU "PORTED IN" A TELEPHONE NUMBER IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF SERVICES OR ARE ENTITLED TO "PORT OUT" A ONEBOX NUMBER UNDER LOCAL LAW, YOU MAY "PORT OUT" THAT NUMBER UPON TERMINATION OF YOUR ACCOUNT ONLY IF YOU SATISFY THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: (i) YOU PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE COMPANY OF YOUR INTENTION TO "PORT OUT" THE TELEPHONE NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THE TERMINATED ONEBOX ACCOUNT NO LATER THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF TERMINATION OF YOUR ONEBOX ACCOUNT (THE "PORTING NOTICE PERIOD"); (ii) YOUR NEW TELEPHONE CARRIER PROVIDES OUR TELEPHONE CARRIER WITH A DULY EXECUTED PORTING REQUEST PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE PORTING NOTICE PERIOD; AND (iii) PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE PORTING NOTICE PERIOD, THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN ADMINISTRATION FEE TO COVER ITS COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROCESSING THE PORT IN AN AMOUNT OF (A) $40 (OR THE EQUIVALENT IN LOCAL CURRENCY) IF YOU "PORTED IN" THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OR (B) THE LESSER OF $100 (OR THE EQUIVALENT IN LOCAL CURRENCY) OR THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED UNDER LOCAL LAW IF YOU ARE ENTITLED TO "PORT OUT" A ONEBOX NUMBER UNDER LOCAL LAW. YOU HEREBY AUTHORIZE THE COMPANY TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD IN THE APPLICABLE AMOUNT OR TO OTHERWISE ARRANGE TO MAKE THIS PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY WITHIN THE PORTING NOTICE PERIOD. IF YOU FAIL TO SATISFY THESE REQUIREMENTS, THE TELEPHONE NUMBER YOU "PORTED IN" WILL BECOME THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY.

»www.onebox.com/terms.asp

It seems to me that if you ported in a number to TFE and then TFE was taken over, that you have rights to that number.

If you are a business, and this is a crucial thing, get a lawyer. You need a shark to fight pit bulls.

If they charge you credit card after you ported out from them, you can do a charge-back against that charge, as an unauthorized charge.

Then he loses his numbers. Not a good idea unless they're discardable.

I would highly recommend filing a complaint with the FCC, and threaten with legal charges.

For the record- we tried to change RespOrg on a Onebox number a couple of months ago. They rejected it so we NASC'ed the number. These SOBs actually went back and NASC'ed it BACK to Onebox the next day. NASC costs $50+ to do, mind you.

Eventually the customer somehow got them to release his number, but it's ridiculous that in this day and age a company is still allowed to hijack customer numbers without their consent. The FCC should do their job and fine these @#%^#$^ out of business.

reply to porter
Take a look at this also:

»www.tollfreenumbers.com/blogs/pr···rms.html

reply to nitzan

Yes- but he can't port it out. That's the problem.

reply to JK Polk
Is there any way to know which toll-free (or, additionally, local number) providers pull this stunt? Why have the concept of number portability at all if the provider can simply have you waive your ability to take advantage of it via the contract? (I suppose this applies to the courts and mandatory arbitration, but that's another topic entirely)

I have no toll-free numbers at the moment, but should I need one, I'm keenly interested to know how I can ensure that I will be able to change providers should it become necessary.
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Opinions expressed here are mine and not my employer's. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.