- Report: #165599
Complaint Review: AOL INTERNET SERVICE - Internet
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AOL INTERNET SERVICE
Internet, U.S.A.
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AOL INTERNET SERVICE ripoff fraudulant billing discourtious to customers Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
my daughter and I were offered 30 day free trials of service and had to give bank card number.I tried service 2 weeks and cancelled itdaughter took for 2 months and cancelled it.
they used automatic draft taking money from our acounts,we tried to comunicate with them on it and got run around that they would call us back.after 2 months of calling and having my account hit i called and said i want it stopped and my money back well it stopped but we got no money back.
my advice is dont do it or dont give them your bank card number have them bill you if you want to use them.
Terry
neosho, Missouri
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on AOL
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, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
[email protected]
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
they used automatic draft taking money from our acounts,we tried to comunicate with them on it and got run around that they would call us back.after 2 months of calling and having my account hit i called and said i want it stopped and my money back well it stopped but we got no money back.
my advice is dont do it or dont give them your bank card number have them bill you if you want to use them.
Terry
neosho, Missouri
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on AOL
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, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
[email protected]
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jason
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
Help. ... I was part of the AOL "saves" department, and have heard many stories like this before.
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, December 16, 2005
When I was working for AOL we were supposed so have a certain 'saves' rate or we would be written up, after two write ups you were fired. I was witness to other reps saving accounts that were supposed to be cancelled. I obviously was not up to par with saving people who wanted to cancel. The quickest way to get your account cancelled is to get through the questions to verify the account, then when they ask what the problem is say in a moderatly loud voice " Cancel my account." then hang up the phone-- AOL has stated that if the customer verifys the account and says cancel then ends the call, the AOL rep must cancel it. -- wait a week and call back confirming your cancellation and that you odnt have multiple accounts-- plus you will recieve a letter in the mail confirimng your cancellation.. as to the billing problem- even if you dispute it AOL and most other companies will send it to collections-- Yes reps do have managers and if you would like to talk to some one who speaks english keep calling, there are 5 call centers in the US. hopefully you have resolved this issue-I know how hard it was for me to cancel my account even when I worked there.
Terry
Neosho,Missouri,
U.S.A.
AOL editor response
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, December 08, 2005
Editor this is great advise but 2 months sir it took me 4 months and 3 withdraws from aol and having to pay to stop old debit card and get new one to stop AOL from stealing my money,all the threating and demanding did was them saying we can close the account.sorry its better to spread the word.i just cant see how there are so many victims and giverment not stop AOL> thank-you for advise hope it helps others
Gina
Unk,Oregon,
U.S.A.
They will send you to collections anyway...
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 07, 2005
I was also charged for a free trial- I had gotten a call at home to try AOL for 2 free months. I agreed. 8 days later I had 23.90 billed to my bank acct via debit card. First thing I did was call AOL and they said they didnt have any record of a free trial being offered! I called my bank (which I actually work for) and filed a dispute (Reg E). I got my money back 7 days later and had my card closed. This was in June of this year. Now I am getting collection notices from AOL and every time I call them I get a different answer. One person will say that I dont owe them anything and another will say I do. Today I got a collection notice and called and was actually hung up on when I asked for a manager. I called back and was informed that even though I filed a dispute w/ my bank, and they were not able to prove that I owed them at that time, now they say I owe for that month, even though it was suppose to be free to begin with!!!
Gina
Unk,Oregon,
U.S.A.
They will send you to collections anyway...
#5Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 07, 2005
I was also charged for a free trial- I had gotten a call at home to try AOL for 2 free months. I agreed. 8 days later I had 23.90 billed to my bank acct via debit card. First thing I did was call AOL and they said they didnt have any record of a free trial being offered! I called my bank (which I actually work for) and filed a dispute (Reg E). I got my money back 7 days later and had my card closed. This was in June of this year. Now I am getting collection notices from AOL and every time I call them I get a different answer. One person will say that I dont owe them anything and another will say I do. Today I got a collection notice and called and was actually hung up on when I asked for a manager. I called back and was informed that even though I filed a dispute w/ my bank, and they were not able to prove that I owed them at that time, now they say I owe for that month, even though it was suppose to be free to begin with!!!
