Dear Claudienne

I have a LIME land-line telephone and a digicel cellphone. The telephone bill statement that I got from LIME in May 2010 stated that on March 24, 2010 I called my cellphone from my land-line at a cost of $340. The statement said that on March 24 I called my cellphone twice, once for one minute and the other time for 32 minutes.

I called LIME in June and they said that the call was made.

I have disputed this call as I would not be using my land-line to call myself on my cellphone.

It is not the first time that this has happened.

I live with my mother who is over 80 years of age. I pay $1,900 monthly for unlimited line to line.

My bill is usually very low.

I have been billed by LIME and I have paid the bill without questioning the amount.

However I am disputing these two calls from my land-line phone to my cellphone on March 24. 2010.

Coud you kindly check with LIME for me.

MB

Dear MB

LIME has advised us that you first complained to them on May 6, 2010.

The company told Tell Claudienne that after a thorough investigation and based on their findings they decided that the charges would be maintained.

LIME said that after we contacted them their network team again undertook another careful and thorough check on their network and billing records.

“Our findings are that the call was dialled and completed. Consequently, regrettably, we will not be writing off the charges,” LIME said.

“We should point out that two similar complaints were made by MB previously on January 4, 2008 and February 3, 2009. These charges were for $300.00 and $67 respectively. Because we believed that there might have been a genuine case of misunderstanding on the customer’s part about charges for calls from land-lines to mobile phones, in the interest of good customer relations, we took a decision then to write off those charges after explaining to the customer that this action did not indicate that there was incorrect billing.

“We should also point out that calls from fixed line to a mobile number are a normal occurrence and that the duration of the call now being queried (32 minutes) is not abnormal, ” LIME explained.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

I was employed to the Inland Revenue Department and I retired October 29, 1999. During my employment deductions were made for NHT and NIS and for the Widows and Orphans Fund.

I enquired what was the purpose of the Widows and Orphans Fund but I never got an answer.

Even though I am retired they are still drawing money for this fund from my pension.

Could you find out from the relevant office for me what is its purpose and if I will receive a benefit?

WF

Dear WF

According to the Ministry of Finance, you will not get a benefit. However, on your death a pension will be paid to your surviving spouse and your children under 19 years of age will also receive a benefit from the Widows and Orphans Fund.

The ministry explained to Tell Claudienne that government employees are required to contribute to the Widows and Orphans Fund for 35 years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first. So if after working for 35 years the requirement has not been met, contributions continue to be taken from the pension up to the age of 65.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.