My phone was stolen in France. I reported it stolen on cingular's website immediately. I couldn't get them on the phone because of the time difference. Then I get an email saying the website functionality for reporting stolen phones has been removed. When I finally talk to them the next day (try using an 800 number from France), they tell me it's going to take a couple of days before the alert percolates to the french system and the calls are blocked, but that since I made an attempt to report immediately, I won't be liable for any charges.

Except that when I get my bill, there is an extra $1200 on it due to calls to Germany, Brazil, the UK. Since I had automatic payment set up, the charge went through to the CC.

When I call Congular, they tell me they'll issue a credit on the account ( the Congular account). I say no, I want a credit on the Credit card thank you. They say OK, they issue the credit on the card but then never labelled the $1200 as fraudulent so they carry over to the next month and I get charged again.

The right hand (billing) does not talk to the brain ( customer service) at Cingular. I think it's subcontracted. Six months later, and believe me I threatened, I finally got some upper level guy who understood what happened and authorized a check. Everyone else was totally clueless, told me they'd understand the problem but really never did.