Got this email from my father-in-law who works for the Ohio AG. It is from Mark Dann
Advice for Skybus Customers from Attorney General Dann
Columbus—Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann today offered advice for
consumers affected by the recent shutdown of the Columbus-based
airline, Skybus, Inc.
"We will do all we can to assist consumers left stranded by the
collapse of Skybus," Attorney General Dann said. "We will look at all
the facts and cooperate with local and federal prosecutors to
determine if any civil or criminal action should be pursued. In the
meantime, consumers should immediately contact their banks and credit
card providers to try to get their money back."
Consumers who paid for undelivered airline tickets by credit card are
protected by the federal Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). The law
allows consumers to refuse to pay for credit card "billing errors",
which include undelivered goods or services.
To dispute credit card charges, call the toll free number on your
account statement. If your credit provider has a dispute form,
complete it and submit it. Otherwise, send a letter to the address
given for "billing inquiries"—not the address for sending payments.
Under the FCBA, you must submit your dispute in writing within 60 days
after the bill was mailed. Use the attached sample dispute letter as a
guide, and include copies of your receipts and other documents that
support your complaint.
Send your letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt. Ask
your credit card company if it accepts the letter by fax, and keep the
fax confirmation page. While the charges are in dispute, you may
withhold payment on the disputed amount.
Purchases made by debit card, cash or check do not offer the same
protections as credit card transactions. If you paid with debit card,
cash or check, contact your bank. It may offer you a partial or full
refund as a courtesy, but it is not required by law to do so.
Because Skybus filed bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court will gather all
the company's assets and distribute them according to the judge's
orders. Consumers' claims are unsecured debt and will be paid only
after the payment of taxes and secured debt, which is money owed to
creditors, such as oil and credit card companies.
Consumers can file complaints about airline services and about the
costs of arranging alternative transportation with the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) online at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov, by
phone at 202-366-2220 (TTY 202-366-0511), or by mail to: Aviation
Consumer Protection Division, C-75, U.S. DOT, Washington, D.C. 20590.
Consumers also can file complaints with the Ohio Attorney General's
Office for help disputing credit card charges and filing a proof of
claim in bankruptcy court. To file a complaint, visit http://www.ag4ohio.gov
or call 1-877-AG4OHIO (1-877-244-6446).
Date
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Account Number
Name of Creditor
Billing Inquiries
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Re: Skybus tickets
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to dispute charges in the amount of $______on my account.
The amount is inaccurate because I purchased airline tickets from
Skybus, which has now gone out of business. I am requesting that the
charges be removed from my account and that any finance and other
charges related to the disputed amount be credited as well, and that I
receive an accurate statement.
Enclosed are copies of my billing statement which reflects the amount
of my purchase from Skybus, a copy of the confirmation of the
flight reservations, and the announcement from Skybus that they will
not be providing me with the tickets I purchased. Please investigate
this matter to confirm that Skybus will not be providing the tickets,
and deduct these charges from my account as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Your name
cc: Ohio Attorney General
