- Report: #303748
Complaint Review: Skype - Internet
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Skype
Internet, United Kingdom
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Skype Fraudulent Advertising/Charges Internet
I ordered Skype to interface with some business software and paid a fee for an annual service.
From what I have been able to uncover "from the net" and through business contacts, SYPE was hacked earlier this week and anyone subscribing to the SKYPE PRO service was automatically charged a per call rate on all calls that should have been all inclusive.
This is what happened to me. What you have to do is stop all automatic charges and start filing complaints.
Unfortunately SKYPE does not publish a billing number, or customer service number. You can only file complaints on-line and you are provided stock responses. They are not acting.
My history is that I subscribed 1/6/08, all was well. I received a solicitation for additional services 1/17/08 which I declined. They were hacked and the billing problems started to occur 1/23/08. I was not automatically billed because I did not permit them to use the autocharge feature to replenish the account - so they terminated service and will not allow any calls although they are contractually liable for refunds of overcharges as well as service interruption.
The company has a "blog forum" and Senior moderators claim to investigate, but no results. I received an email response the problem was temporary and resolved with a credit to be issued on the Skype funds, but this was an untrue statement and all follow up emails have been disregarded.
There is substantial questions as no one can clarify whether this company is UK based or US based. Skype users all beleive the company is US based, but I seem to rememebr during my investigations of the firm the company is UK based.
Advertising is fraudulent as the services promised under premium services is not provided. In addition to the billing issues.
Looking for other users also shafted by Skype to write and publish a SKYPE expose' with some professional publications. Email (((email redacted))) with your story for consideration to be included.
Jen
Eatontown, New Jersey
U.S.A.
font color="red"> CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
From what I have been able to uncover "from the net" and through business contacts, SYPE was hacked earlier this week and anyone subscribing to the SKYPE PRO service was automatically charged a per call rate on all calls that should have been all inclusive.
This is what happened to me. What you have to do is stop all automatic charges and start filing complaints.
Unfortunately SKYPE does not publish a billing number, or customer service number. You can only file complaints on-line and you are provided stock responses. They are not acting.
My history is that I subscribed 1/6/08, all was well. I received a solicitation for additional services 1/17/08 which I declined. They were hacked and the billing problems started to occur 1/23/08. I was not automatically billed because I did not permit them to use the autocharge feature to replenish the account - so they terminated service and will not allow any calls although they are contractually liable for refunds of overcharges as well as service interruption.
The company has a "blog forum" and Senior moderators claim to investigate, but no results. I received an email response the problem was temporary and resolved with a credit to be issued on the Skype funds, but this was an untrue statement and all follow up emails have been disregarded.
There is substantial questions as no one can clarify whether this company is UK based or US based. Skype users all beleive the company is US based, but I seem to rememebr during my investigations of the firm the company is UK based.
Advertising is fraudulent as the services promised under premium services is not provided. In addition to the billing issues.
Looking for other users also shafted by Skype to write and publish a SKYPE expose' with some professional publications. Email (((email redacted))) with your story for consideration to be included.
Jen
Eatontown, New Jersey
U.S.A.
font color="red"> CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Jen
Eatontown,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
GOOD NEWS!
#2Author of original report
Mon, May 12, 2008
I posted this update a while back and realized Rip Off Report didn't let it go through - so let's try again. Skype came through by the end of February. They really need to have a customer support line, even if they need to cover the expense of it by charging a fee. It's a powerful tool with a lot of potential and I would hate to see the lack of communication and business structure make the crumble and fall. I think that the on-line approach without disclosing how the "pros" fit into the SKYPE organization is a bad move. As a business owner I want to know who I am dealing with and make sure my time is respected. No more, no less. I tried other services in the interim during their outage and they weren't that much better and the reliability was non-existent. Vonage has them all beat, but SKYPE is growing and has definite potential for the on-line communication industry.
Jen
Eatontown,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
All is well and good with SKYPE
#3Author of original report
Mon, April 21, 2008
Issue resolvd. Service is working properly after their hack. Thankfully their hasn't been a need for customer service. I'm satisified, however, I worry that Skype needs some solid Business Plans and structural changes to survive and grow as a solid organization and competitor in the VOIP Industry. I really think it is not in the best interest of an organization to avoid in person customer interaction. But for the price of $3.00 a month, you can't complain - you get what you pay for.
Jen
Eatontown,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
SKYPE COMES THROUGH
#4Author of original report
Thu, March 20, 2008
With my ongoing diligence, Skype restored service, but never gave the $15 credit they promised for the calls billed individually in error. So far, it's been about 4 weeks with no outages and no service interruptions. If you are technically saavy enough to solve your own issues independently, this is a service I would recommend. But don't count on human contact, courtesy, or even timely response from their emails. No way to talk to them directly to get information or resolve any issues. But at $3 a month - you get what you pay for.
