Hi, Sheepers! When corporations say 'they are giving back money for overcharging', don't hold your breath (I know none of you would anyway!). Bell South (in Florida and wherever) grossly overcharged customers. So - they were ordered to "re-pay". So - what do they do! A few cents deducted from monthly bills for about six months. But - they had 'use' of that money for months before they were caught. And - as far as I am concerned, Bell South charges a home owner as an Optional Service - $4.75** a month for "inside wire maintenance service plan". The double asterick at the bottom of the bill page: "Unregulared Charge. Nonpayment of these items will not result in disconnection of your local service. However, collection of unpaid charges may be pursued by the Service Provider." When was the last time someone had the phone company inside their home to repair 'inside wire maintenance'? AND - if you think you are not paying an 'extra' Internet Fee to your phone company, think again! Bell South charges - in the name of the FCC - $5.00 a month per line. I don't believe this has anything to do with a Long Distance company - but the Internet itself. above is a charge to recover costs associated with connecting to a telecommunications service provider's interstate network. There is no 'double asterick' after this amount. AND - a charge of $.12 per line per month for: "the Telecommunications Access System Act Surcharge - A surcharge to fund the relay center that assists the hearing and speech impaired communicate with telecommunications providers." Another 'double asterick' after the $.12 charge. above I don't mind paying IF it is really going for what it states it is. To top off the above, just in the past couple of months, the Florida Legislature passed a law that would allow telephone companies to increase the basic residential line to - get this reason - defray costs for senior citizens to better utilize long distance service, over time. Little Jebbie vetoed that one. First thing he's ever done right for the citizens of Florida, to my belief. How many customers does Bell South have - I haven't a clue...but it must be in the millions. Off my chest - have a great day! Shirley: bobert@i-1.net