America Online AOL Scamming Americas Children With Tricky Surcharges Sterling Virginia
This is a warning to all HIGH SPEED AOL internet users and their children. AOL is promoting a scam with their HIGH SPEED Internat access services (Cable Modem - DSL). CHILDREN BEWARE!!!!
I have had AOL for at least 5 years and recently I decided to upgrade to cable modem service. At this time I decided I did not need AOL anymore, since my kids could then use Internet Explorer to surf the web over the new connection (no need for AOL).
So when I called AOL to cancel my service they were disappointed, and convinced me to sign up for the HIGH SPEED access service since I now had a cable modem. I agreed and my monthly fee went from 28.99 to 9.99. This was fine... Now enter the SCAM >>>>>> If your children, friends or self, decide to contact AOL via a phone connection from anywhere.....
Like from a hotel or in my chidrens case from their friends house while attending a sleep-over... Guess what AOL does the moment they sign on...? You guessed it they start billing your account on a per minute basis... THIS IS A SCAM!
AOL send a Pop-Up window/add to the screen telling the child that they will encounter a surcharge, of course the kids of the world will except this (unknowingly) and the charges start to fly...
BUYER BEWARE!!! If you switch to AOL high speed, do not ever dial AOL unless you like to see your bank-account balance dwindle...
Now you've been told!
David
ruther glen, Virginia
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Karen
Raleigh,New York,
U.S.A.
You obviously signed up for something without reading the details.
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, March 13, 2003
You saw that $9.99 price and the cheapskate in your fell for the offer without even finding out anything about it.
The $9.99 plan is a "bring your own access" plan. What that means is you have to dial in through your choice of service provider in order to access AOL. This plan is cheaper since you are saving AOL money by dialing in through your other service.
If for any reason you dial into AOL directly using an AOL phone number, there is a surcharge. This is clearly stated on the AOL site - just go to keyword Billing! Or call their representative! It even mentions when you sign on that there will be a surcharge! So get your head out of the sand and learn a little about what you're signing up for before you actually do.