Americal On LIne - AOL ripoff! They give you a free trial and never inform you when it is up and continue to bill your credit card. Internet
We bought a computer June 2004 - on that computer was information about AOL and how to sign up for a free trial.
I did, I only used it a few times, never received notice that my free trial was about to expire. Instead AOL just billed my credit card. However I had cancelled the credit card before they could bill for the first payment.
When I recieved the bill - I called them and told them I never recieved notice that the free trial was due to expire and that if they would look into it that they would fine that I only used the site a few times.
I paid their bill and they continued to bill me and threatened to send me to a collection agency.
The amount of money was small - I don't want it back -
I just want it to be known that they are running a scam - I think any company offering a free trial should let the conusmer know when the free trial is about to expire so they can decide for themselves if they want to keep it. Had I known that my free trial was due to expire I would of cancelled before the first billing.
Laura
Butler, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Melissa
Kennesaw,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Don't let them get away with it
#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 16, 2005
While Paul is a bit harsh, he is basically right.
I'm a victim of AOL, too. Please do this.
Complain to the FTC. You can do in online easily.
Even though the BBB is a joke complain to their local office in Dullen, VA. Complain to your state attorney general's office. AOL was sued for these same things in Sept 2003 by the FTC and lost. Make the FTC enforce the court order. I don't care if it takes me weeks but I am going to write a rebuttal to every complaint on this site that I can. Please report them.
Paul
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
If you need to provide a credit card or bank account number, it's never free!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 15, 2005
The quickest way to find is sucker is to say the word FREE. For some crazy reason, all the fools are attracted to free.
They actually think the world is handing out stuff for free!
Of course, the rest of us know there's nothing for free. It's no big surprise when the fraud asks for a billing number.
And, it's no big surprise what is going to happen next. The frauds aren't going to give you anything for free. Now that they have your number, they're going to start taking money out of your account. And, there is no way to stop it unless you close your bank account. Then, the frauds will send you to collections.
Some FREE deal that turned out to be!
You know, it really is a wonder they can even find people willing to sign up for this FREE deal. After all, this isn't something new. Crooks have been doing this exact same scam for many years now. You'd think people would learn.
Maybe after enough FREE deals like this, the suckers will finally wise up and stop handing out their billing information. What will it take? A dozen FREE deals? Two dozen?
Whenever you hear the word FREE, it should send you a message loud and clear. You're about to get cheated!