Complaint Review: Straighttalk Inc.

On Thursday, August 11, I called, which I never do, straighttalk to add minutes to my account.  The representative took my information, including debit/credit card info from me.  They ran my card for $49.84, which represents the plan and their fees (which you don't have to pay if you buy the card at WalMart).  They claimed the card was denied when it was not.  This transaction went through my bank under a debit at 12:44 pm est, but still they claimed it was denied.  I knew that was simply ridiculous as I knew exactly how much money I had in the bank which was well beyond that amount of money.  Subsequently, they ran the card two more times, taking out two additional amounts of $49.84.  This was almost $150 of which I had no access for the remainder of the day on August 11.

While on the phone with straightalk, I also called from another cell phone (I have a separate account with Alltel with two additional phones, although, in the past straighttalk has been much less expensive and planned to cancel my account with Alltel when my contract with them is up in December) and I spoke with my banking representative (BOA) who told me the first charge was not denied and it should not have shown on their records as being denied as the transaction did go through.  The second, because this was not a store or alternative merchant with which you would possibly have multiple transaction, the last two transactions looked suspicious and my bank did deny those, although my money for none of the transaction was now available to me.  My bank told me I would see, on August 12, the approved transaction (still being denied by straighttalk) and it would be paid as it was not denied.  The bank further told me the remaining near $100 would be accessible on August 12.  In short, the entire near $150 would not be available to me until the next day so I lost the ability to use that amount of money on the date of the transactions. 

Today, August 12, I find my phone, having no remaining minutes yet having been paid, was no longer in service.  I checked my bank and the one transaction the bank allowed, and did not deny, did go through showing $49.84 debited from my account. 

I placed another call to straighttalk and told them of the transaction they claimed was denied having been debited from my account and they were responsible for the "missing money."  They still claimed it as being denied and refused to search for the money or turn my phone on.  Subsequently, I called my bank and they are filing a "fraud report" claiming straighttalk committed bank fraud.  My bank will reimburse me the money and is seeking a fraud action against straighttalk for claiming an approved transaction as having been denied and they have kept my money.  I also have all of this documented on my online banking transaction copies which I printed for future reference. 

Ultimately, as I do like their services, which use Verizon towers, I did what I should have done to begin with, I went to WalMart and bought another straighttalk plan card which cost me $45.  Still the additional $49.84 is in the hands of straighttalk and they are being investigated for this. 

If you have a straighttalk, tracfone, don't be lazy, go to WalMart and get the card.  It is less expensive and they won't be able to keep your money otherwise as they have my other $49.84.  With this being said, straighttalk online and via a telephone call to refill is not the way to go.  The services are great otherwise and are much less expensive than a plan with other companies but beware, they will defraud your bank, taking your money and refuse to return your money to you should you not purchase the card at WalMart.  Please note also that if fill your phone before the time expires, you will lose all of the benefits from the previous months plan, there is no rollover.  Typically, I buy a card and when it is time to refill on the exact plan end date, not before, I do so. 

In conclusion, straighttalk will not give you information to contact their corporate officers, will not assist you to any satisfaction and, in my case, will keep all the money you are willing to allow them to have.  In my case, they now have $94.84 of my money, $45 of which I agree and my bank is seeking fraud charges against them for the remainder.  Don't call to add minutes or use their online services.  They will rip you off!!!