Recently I needed to make an international collect-call to South America so I called the AT&T operator.

I asked the AT&T operator if they could provide that service. She gave me an AT&T phone number from which I was supposed to make the collect call.

I couldn't connect and I called again and the AT&T operator gave me the same phone number. But again I couldn't connect.

To my surprise I got a bill for $30 for "Directory assistance" calls. The only thing I did was ask if they could provide a collect-call service.

I have contacted them many times but they insist that I requested directory assistance for 2 international calls. Is there anything I can do?

Please provide ideas & experiences for other visitors.