Full Breakdown
TDS Internet Billing Issues Spark Customer Outcry in Central Oregon
2/21/2026, 11:32:46 AM
Customer Complaints About Billing Increases
Residents in Central Oregon have reported unexpected increases in their TDS internet bills despite being enrolled in promotional plans like “Price for Life.” Many customers have experienced a recurring $5 monthly increase, leading to confusion and frustration. Sarah Long, a TDS customer, shared her experience on social media, stating, “Everyone with TDS ‘price for life’ internet, check your TDS bills! I just spent a half an hour on the phone arguing with a customer service representative.” Long described a lengthy process to resolve her billing issue, which required persistence and a credible threat of cancellation.
Company Response to Billing Errors
In response to the growing complaints, TDS acknowledged a billing issue affecting a limited group of customers. Mark Schaaf, Manager of Communications for TDS, stated, “A small group of customers enrolled in price promotions, including Price for Life, were incorrectly charged up to $7 more on their last statement due to a billing system error.” TDS assured customers that they would automatically receive credit for the overcharged amount on their next statement, and that no action was required on their part.
Customer Experiences with Customer Service
Despite TDS's assurances, many customers reported difficulties in resolving their billing issues. Some claimed that customer service representatives were dismissive or took an excessive amount of time to address their concerns. Diana Pullen, another TDS customer, expressed her frustration, stating, “Mine went up $10! I thought we had price for life, too. What a crock!” Other customers reported even larger discrepancies, particularly those tied to bundled services.
Historical Context of Billing Issues
Billing concerns are not new for TDS in Central Oregon. In August 2024, the company upgraded customers on certain plans to gigabit service, leading to inconsistencies in pricing. Customers previously on 600 Mbps and 1 Gig plans had to contact TDS to request adjustments to their pricing, as many were unaware of better rates available to them at the time.
Ongoing Customer Vigilance
As the situation unfolds, customers are advised to closely review their statements for any discrepancies. While TDS maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, this rating primarily reflects its handling of customer complaints. However, the company's customer review ratings stand at only 1.84 out of 5, indicating significant dissatisfaction among users.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Despite TDS's claim of notifying affected customers on February 3, several individuals reported not receiving any communication regarding the billing issue. The Prineville Review has reached out to TDS for clarification but has yet to receive a response. Additionally, some customers allege that their billing increases exceeded the amounts stated by the company.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everyone with TDS ‘price for life’ internet, check your TDS bills! I just spent a [sic] half an hour on the phone arguing with a customer service representative that ‘price for life’ doesn’t mean it goes up $5/month whenever they decide. They ended up changing it back, but I had to make a big stink about it first. Just FYI. TDS sucks.” — Sarah Long, TDS Customer
- “Mine went up $10! I thought we had price for life, too. What a crock!” — Diana Pullen, TDS Customer
- “A small group of customers enrolled in price promotions, including Price for Life, were incorrectly charged up to $7 more on their last statement due to a billing system error,” — Mark Schaaf, Manager of Communications for TDS
