When businesses receive their monthly telephone bill, there is a section that lists taxes and surcharges for various reasons.

These 911 surcharges are designed to help fund emergency services provided to local citizens.

These surcharges are sometimes combined with taxpayer dollars and funding from other sources to be able to provide communities with responsive emergency services.

Each state calculates its emergency services surcharges differently. Some fees are flat rates, others fall along a range, and still others are calculated as a percentage. Some localities have different rates for surcharges for business and residential lines.

In general, the surcharges for wired business phones range from less than $1 per month to $6.50 or more per month. Wireless and VoIP phone services typically have lower surcharges.

Underbilling has been happening in many areas, and it is affecting the availability of emergency services for citizens.

Businesses that may not be eager to disclose that they have been underbilled for surcharges may find the incentive they need in the opportunity to file a whistleblower lawsuit.

Lawsuits Filed over Inadequate 911 Surcharges

In lawsuits filed over inadequate surcharges, two counties in Georgia hit 15 phone service providers with both state and federal lawsuits alleging the companies neglected to collect $50 million in emergency services surcharges that were intended to fund emergency services in those counties.

The lawsuits alleged that the phone providers misrepresented the amount of surcharges they were supposed to collect and forward to the counties.

The phone companies allegedly charged single fees to cover multiple phone lines at a single location, and they apparently neglected to charge any fees on voice-over-Internet (VoIP) services.

By purposefully undercharging telephone customers, the phone service providers may be inappropriately offering lower prices in an effort to entice businesses to use their services, the surcharge lawsuits suggested.

“By not billing and collecting all the required 911 surcharges, Bell South is able to provide telecommunication services at prices that are cheaper than its competitors, particularly to its business customers,” one lawsuit stated.

Essentially, underbilling for 911 surcharges deprives local governments of necessary funding for emergency services, and its local citizens end up paying the price.

What to Do if Your Company Has Been Underbilled

If you believe your company has been inadequately billed for 911 surcharges by your phone service provider, or if you are an employee of a phone service provider that has knowledge of inadequate billing for 911 surcharges, you may be able to file a False Claims Act lawsuit.

Individuals who file whistleblower lawsuits under the False Claims Act may be able to receive an award for assisting in fighting against government fraud.

Underbilling is potentially depriving local governments of adequate funding for emergency services. Whistleblowers may be able to help properly fund emergency services, assist the government in stamping out fraud and punishing companies for their wrongdoing as well as help citizens who need to access emergency services.

An experienced whistleblower lawyer can review your case confidentially to see if you qualify for further legal action.