Earthlink, Earthlink.net ripoff - deceptive billing practices Atlanta Georgia
Signed up for service @ $9.95 per month - had no former internet provider. I was walked-thru by a tech on how to set-up account and dial in. They routed me to an 800# to dial into. 800#s are free right?? Billed me $9.95 first month and was paid. November billed was over $360.00. Whoa - not sure how that happened. Called billing department was told that using this service costed me more than the original amount I was aware of. AOL would have only costed $23.90 a month. They refuse to remove this amount from my bill and submit a new bill for the charges I had agreed to. This $9.95 a month is all over - in print and commercials. Be careful - you just might get bait and switched and they will give you every excuse in the book that this is perfectly legitimate.
Bait and Switched
Geneva, Illinois
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Pamela
Dekalb,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Good Point
#7Author of original report
Sun, January 15, 2006
Good point - however, unlike most in the world these days I am not as computer literate as most. I was routed to the 800# because they said that there was no local dial-up.. there was a local dial-up I found out later when contacting them about my bill. Why may I ask would I CHOOSE to pay an outrageous amount of money for service?? I dont have money just lying around waiting to be disposed of... as far as reading the agreement closer - guess I should have, the tech was walking me thru (very quickly) think they would make it a little clearer before lying about no numbers being available other than an 800#. I certainly did not think this service was free - but $9.95 per month like they advertise. I dont live in some rural area that there could possible have been some mistake about what numbers were available or not at start-up. Thanks for the suggestion about common sense -- now address what LIARS they are, would be happy to hear your comments on that.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Here's what happened
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, January 15, 2006
First of all I am currently with Eartlink and have been for a long time. I have been a customer 3 times over the past 8 years.
The toll free# you were routed to was only to set up your account and retrieve your local dial up #'s.
Toll Free #'s used for internet access are NEVER free with any provider. I know for a fact that they fully disclose the extra charges for 800# use, as you have to accept an agreement that states the terms, and have 800 service enabled on your account. It is not automatic.
I suggest in the future you fully read and understand your agrement terms and conditions before using any internet service.
Even with AOL @ $24/month you would be charged approximately .10 per minute extra if you selected an 800# for your dialup.
Why would you think 800# dialup would be free?
You are not making a phone call, your are using a data line.
Common sense here.
Rj
Camden,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
Earthlink Toll-Free Access Numbers Easy To Find
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, January 15, 2006
I've been with Earthlink for a long time, so this report caught my eye. All required information for finding local toll-free access numbers is very easy to find on the Earthlink site. Nothing is mysterious or hidden in any fashion.
I can't say what caused the obvious misunderstanding between you and the tech but, after you were connected, there was nothing stopping you from going to the Earthlink site to read the facts about local access and 800 numbers. You could then have easily changed your dialer setting from the 800 toll number to your local toll-free number and avoided the shocking charges. My guess is that inexperience may have played some part in this confusion.
Earthlink directions for locating your correct local access number are clearly shown and explained at the following address: http://support.earthlink.net/access/dom/
All one has to do is enter their area code and phone number. Very simple!
Also, this same page contains the following warning within in a very bright yellow box:
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME OF THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN.
WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
The following link from the above page contains very clear instructions and associated charges for using 800 numbers IF there is no local toll-free number available.
http://www.earthlink.net/dialup/extras/remotedial/
EarthLink Remote Dial-Up
Can't find a free local dial-up access number? Connect to the Internet for just $0.10 per minute using one of our domestic 800 numbers.
Rj
Camden,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
Earthlink Toll-Free Access Numbers Easy To Find
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, January 15, 2006
I've been with Earthlink for a long time, so this report caught my eye. All required information for finding local toll-free access numbers is very easy to find on the Earthlink site. Nothing is mysterious or hidden in any fashion.
I can't say what caused the obvious misunderstanding between you and the tech but, after you were connected, there was nothing stopping you from going to the Earthlink site to read the facts about local access and 800 numbers. You could then have easily changed your dialer setting from the 800 toll number to your local toll-free number and avoided the shocking charges. My guess is that inexperience may have played some part in this confusion.
Earthlink directions for locating your correct local access number are clearly shown and explained at the following address: http://support.earthlink.net/access/dom/
All one has to do is enter their area code and phone number. Very simple!
Also, this same page contains the following warning within in a very bright yellow box:
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME OF THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN.
WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
The following link from the above page contains very clear instructions and associated charges for using 800 numbers IF there is no local toll-free number available.
http://www.earthlink.net/dialup/extras/remotedial/
EarthLink Remote Dial-Up
Can't find a free local dial-up access number? Connect to the Internet for just $0.10 per minute using one of our domestic 800 numbers.
Rj
Camden,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
Earthlink Toll-Free Access Numbers Easy To Find
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, January 15, 2006
I've been with Earthlink for a long time, so this report caught my eye. All required information for finding local toll-free access numbers is very easy to find on the Earthlink site. Nothing is mysterious or hidden in any fashion.
I can't say what caused the obvious misunderstanding between you and the tech but, after you were connected, there was nothing stopping you from going to the Earthlink site to read the facts about local access and 800 numbers. You could then have easily changed your dialer setting from the 800 toll number to your local toll-free number and avoided the shocking charges. My guess is that inexperience may have played some part in this confusion.
Earthlink directions for locating your correct local access number are clearly shown and explained at the following address: http://support.earthlink.net/access/dom/
All one has to do is enter their area code and phone number. Very simple!
Also, this same page contains the following warning within in a very bright yellow box:
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME OF THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN.
WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
The following link from the above page contains very clear instructions and associated charges for using 800 numbers IF there is no local toll-free number available.
http://www.earthlink.net/dialup/extras/remotedial/
EarthLink Remote Dial-Up
Can't find a free local dial-up access number? Connect to the Internet for just $0.10 per minute using one of our domestic 800 numbers.
Rj
Camden,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
Earthlink Toll-Free Access Numbers Easy To Find
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, January 15, 2006
I've been with Earthlink for a long time, so this report caught my eye. All required information for finding local toll-free access numbers is very easy to find on the Earthlink site. Nothing is mysterious or hidden in any fashion.
I can't say what caused the obvious misunderstanding between you and the tech but, after you were connected, there was nothing stopping you from going to the Earthlink site to read the facts about local access and 800 numbers. You could then have easily changed your dialer setting from the 800 toll number to your local toll-free number and avoided the shocking charges. My guess is that inexperience may have played some part in this confusion.
Earthlink directions for locating your correct local access number are clearly shown and explained at the following address: http://support.earthlink.net/access/dom/
All one has to do is enter their area code and phone number. Very simple!
Also, this same page contains the following warning within in a very bright yellow box:
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME OF THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN.
WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
The following link from the above page contains very clear instructions and associated charges for using 800 numbers IF there is no local toll-free number available.
http://www.earthlink.net/dialup/extras/remotedial/
EarthLink Remote Dial-Up
Can't find a free local dial-up access number? Connect to the Internet for just $0.10 per minute using one of our domestic 800 numbers.