- Report: #1001380
Complaint Review: FreedomPop - Internet Internet
Reported By:
Ravindra -
Cedar Park, Texas, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
FreedomPop
Internet, Internet, United States of America
Phone:
Web:
www.freedompop.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
FreedomPop Freedompop deceptive data usage tactics to rip you off. Internet
Read carefully.
Until few weeks ago freedompop was doing good just like any other good service provider. However few days back (guessing since January 2013) things have changed.
It is clear that freedompop now "drains" your free 500 mb data in just few minutes. Just go on to any site with freedompop and stay for 15-20 minutes without downloading anything. And then check your account usage after 3 or 4 hours and your data will be consumed by 100s megs! It's magic invented by freedompop. To give you an idea I spent on and off 30-40 minutes on the internet and my data usage was close to 640 mb! And of course my card was charged for another $10 right away.
Another complaint on Ripoff report did actual test to verify this. I plan to do the same and put it on YouTube first and then complain to DA.
When I contacted to the customer rep I get the standard scripted text saying how to limit data usage crap.
The point here is, freedompop has changed their data scheme under the hoods so you the not so clever user will not detect it. Some users find it late, some find it sooner, some suck it and don't bother to complain and others think that they DID consume all that data. Clever. The revenue model works like this. If you go over 500 mb, you will be charged to the next tier data plan. So the faster you cross that 500 mb the more money they make. I feel sad that I pledged to a shady company like this on kickstarter.com. Come to think of it, Kicstarter.com kicked their campaign and suspended the project. May be they knew what is coming.
Until few weeks ago freedompop was doing good just like any other good service provider. However few days back (guessing since January 2013) things have changed.
It is clear that freedompop now "drains" your free 500 mb data in just few minutes. Just go on to any site with freedompop and stay for 15-20 minutes without downloading anything. And then check your account usage after 3 or 4 hours and your data will be consumed by 100s megs! It's magic invented by freedompop. To give you an idea I spent on and off 30-40 minutes on the internet and my data usage was close to 640 mb! And of course my card was charged for another $10 right away.
Another complaint on Ripoff report did actual test to verify this. I plan to do the same and put it on YouTube first and then complain to DA.
When I contacted to the customer rep I get the standard scripted text saying how to limit data usage crap.
The point here is, freedompop has changed their data scheme under the hoods so you the not so clever user will not detect it. Some users find it late, some find it sooner, some suck it and don't bother to complain and others think that they DID consume all that data. Clever. The revenue model works like this. If you go over 500 mb, you will be charged to the next tier data plan. So the faster you cross that 500 mb the more money they make. I feel sad that I pledged to a shady company like this on kickstarter.com. Come to think of it, Kicstarter.com kicked their campaign and suspended the project. May be they knew what is coming.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
jane
Washington,This is the same for me
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, August 22, 2014
I am having the same issues with freedom pop and I can assure you that no one has been stealing mu wifi. I started freedom pop about a month ago... and just this month I have been charged 145 dollars. I think that Is real shady. It's way better to just get yourself a real Internet provider. They are way cheaper. Every single day, even when I'm not online I get charged 10 dollar fees until I run out and have to up my plan with more money to actually use the Internet. And once I hit the highest plan, I can't use the Internet until the next month. I tried turning off the freedom pop when not in use, and I found that it did help a bit, like if you keep it on they charge you even though you aren't using it. Hope this helps. I know a lot of people in this situation. .. it's a total scam.
FreedomPop
United States of AmericaClarification on data usage
#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, January 23, 2013
Ravindra,
Per your statement, "It is clear that freedompop now "drains" your free 500 mb data in just few minutes" - I cross-referenced your support ticket, #32950 and found details on why your data may have been drained. You stated, "Afterall we never changed the default password". It is highly likely that someone logged on to your FreedomPop WiFi network since you had not changed the default password. Since the default network name is "freedompop_xxxx" and the default password is "freedompop" it is very easy for someone to jump onto your network. We even provided addt'l free data as good will for your mishap.
We are sorry to hear you think our practices are "shady" - and that "standard scripted text saying how to limit data usage crap", when in fact, we've attempted to educate and inform you on best practices for using a prepaid source of internet, by first, protecting it.
