Complaint Review: magicJack

Saw the infomercial for magicJack and it sounded like a good way to save money. I called phone number they gave to place order, it was 95.5 Radio Station advertising for magicJack on TV. They were offering two magicJacks for the price of one, $19.95 on a One Day Only Special with a 30 Day Free Trial period. Your money would be refunded, 100 % guaranteed if you returned item within the 30 day Free trial time line.

I ordered the magicJack for a total of $19.95 to be charged to my credit card. 100% Guarantee money refund if you didn't like the product. I thought how could you go wrong.

The $19.95 charge from magicJack was showing in the Check Card Hold section on my March statement so I expected to be receiving my order soon since the $19.95 had been authorized by the bank. Nothing came for several days, so I pulled up my statement to see when the $19.95 was withdrawn. It was not there anymore. No funds were ever withdrawn, nothing from magicJack at all.

A few days later I received a phone call from magicJack. They said my order was ready, but they needed my correct address to send it out. I gave them my address again. When I finally recieved my order, there were FOUR magicJacks. I was only supposed to get TWO for $19.95.

I pulled up my bank statement to check the dollar amount they withdrew. I figured at worst it would be for $39.90. They withdrew $421.08 from my account. This put my account in overdraft. My mortgage and power bill payments had bounced. That made me sick. To make matters worse, they both bounced two times. Now that was an additional $140.00 deducted from my account. That is a total of $540.00  not including additional charges from the mortgage and power company will charge me.

I am retired on disability and have a limited income which I receive once a month. Not much left over after my monthly bills, groceries and prescriptions. So I really watch what I spend.

It took me two days to finally speak to someone in billing about this outrageous amount they withdrew. The woman said I was billed - NOW GET THIS - for FIVE years in advance for each magicjack. Remember I only ordered one, but they sent me four. For one unit that would have been $99.75 total. Thats bad enough but now it's four times worse. I am lucky I can pay the bills one time a month, let alone 5 years in advance. I don't know if I will live that long. Who in their right mind would pay any bill 5 years in advance and for what reason. That is absolutley insane.

She also said it could take 6 weeks for a refund. I can't wait that long for my redund. My mortgage and power company want their payment and I do not have it. I am at my witts end. These people are so rude it's pathetic. They overbill you, then keep your money for 45 days in their bank and get interest. You do the math, all those unauthorized overcharges times the number of us who were the target.

I hope they do get investigated for fraud. This guy should be ashamed of himself. Watch his video clip on their website. He has his young daughter helping him promote his product. Also has a clip fro CBS news advocating the magicJack. I sent them a complaint via e-mail today. I am also going to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau just to make me feel better.

Theft By Deception or Theft By Taking, either one fits his SCAM. That is a felony.

Paying for a phone service five years in advance. What an idea he had. Not bad enough his product is junk, but lets overcharge and hold onto the money for at least 45 days to get daily compound interest we can earn. Any refund should not take longer than 7 to 10 business days to complete. Must not have anyone in accounting but himself. That's why it's almost impossible to get anyone on the phone. Plus he has no e-mail. If enough people complain loud enough maybe someone with power will help put this guy out of business and put him where he belongs. You figure it out.



EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder RipoffReport.com Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

Rip-off Report PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280