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Marla of Jacksonville IL (07/08/08)
I was running an older puter at the time and Earthlink was my providor. I was looking for a providor that my puter could run. So I tried the AOL free trial. After 3 days I realized that it wouldn't work on my puter either so I canceled it.
They would not allow me to cancel and charded my credit card $50. They continue to charge me an aditional $50 a month. It took forever to finally get them off my back. My free trial ended up costing me $100.
Marla of Jacksonville IL (07/08/08)
I was running an older puter at the time and Earthlink was my providor. I was looking for a providor that my puter could run. So I tried the AOL free trial. After 3 days I realized that it wouldn't work on my puter either so I canceled it.
They would not allow me to cancel and charded my credit card $50. They continue to charge me an aditional $50 a month. It took forever to finally get them off my back. My free trial ended up costing me $100.
Charles of Middleburg FL (06/28/08)
I signed up for a 90 day risk free trial on May 18 2008. I had trouble signing up for it and had to do it again. Come to find out AOL signed me up twice, and began charging me immediately. I was billed for 2 months, twice before I caught it. I called them on Jun 28 2008 to cancel and they refused any credit.
Although I havent had a large economic impact yet, I was advised from AMEX that AOL is infamous for these tactics. They will try to keep billing me if I dont keep on them. Also, after I cancelled I found out that AOL has litterally hundreds of thousands of complaints against them for their schemes.
Mark of Bakersfield CA (06/26/08)
American Online charged me for internet service that I didn't use. I signed up for a Free trial offer to test my new laptop's online capability and used the service once. Since the speed was so slow I signed up for an online account with my local cable provider. AOL then proceeded to charge my credit card for three charges after the Free trial period expired.
I put a stop on the charges and AOL filed my account with a collection agency-Allied Interstate-and a representative named Scott Murphy harrassed me over the phone for payment. I was unaware of the Free trial conditions that he stated that I was responsible for whether I used AOL or not. I finally had to pay the charges just to alleviate the harrassament from Allied Interstate and AOL. If these conditions were made clear upon registration, I never would have signed up for AOL.
Even though I used their service one tine only, I still had to pay three charges that amounted to about $80.
Lisa of Jeffersonville IN (06/18/08)
I was in the process of going through my checking account online when I noticed (2) withdrawls from my checking account for $32.90. One was made on 5-27-08 and one made on 6-16-08. I purchased a new computer in approx Oct 2007 and downloaded an AOL Free Download Trial. I attempted to use their service, but it was very slow, so I cancelled it shortly after and signed up with Insight to have Broadband, which I still currently have.
However, apparently my Free 6 month trial was up in May and they never cancelled my service as requested and have no record of my call. What a surprise? However, they refuse to refund these draft fees b/c they say I never cancelled. The only thing they would do was to give me the address and fax number to complain to. What can I do about this?
Time wasted on the phone to get nowhere, and $65.80 worth of fees for a service which I am sure they can verify if they wanted to that I never used.
John of New York NY (02/29/08)
Signed up for free email using AOL's Bring Your Own Domain Name feature, which allows you to set your AOL email account according to your business domain. So, I signed up using a name, and that works fine as an email account. The problem is, I didn't register my domain name first with an independent register service (go daddy, for example). Now I want to use my domain name to host a business web site I am developing, but when I go to establish this in my site, I'm booted because I'm being told AOL has a lock on the registration of that domain name.
I have tried multiple times to call and contact AOL by email to resolve this. When you call, they don't want to help because the help line only works with paying customers. (Indeed, the employees I spoke with hadn't even heard of AOL's own Bring Your Own Domain program!) I was directed to forms to complete and fax to cancel my email account, hoping that would release the lock on the domain name I created, but no action has been taken after a couple of months. It's impossible to reach someone who will help.
I have been handing out business cards with my domain name on it, so I can receive email at the AOL account. But I will not be able to set up a web site with my domain name because AOL has purloined my rights. This will cost me lots of business, and I will have to adjust to use a similar but still different name (I also own the business domain name). This is outrageous behavior.
Mary of Clinton Township MI (02/24/08)
In Nov., 2007, I purchased a Dell computer. Through Dell I was offered six months free dial-up with AOL. I signed up and was asked to submit local #s, which I did! On Dec. 24, '07, my phone bill came from AT&T with HUGH long-distant charges for dial-up. AOL switched my local dial-up # to a long distant carrier! My phone bill for those services were $302.22. AT&T waived that amount. Then comes Jan.'08 bill. Another $506.05 that AOL made for me! I'm a 62yr. old lady with multiple sclerosis, living on a fixed disability income of a mere $690 a month. AT&T refuses to help me anymore and told me to get AOL to pay it. I've called AOL and they REFUSE to pay my bill of over $500. It was AOL's fault for sneakily switching me to a long-distant carrier. I had no idea they had done this! Plus, AOL deducted $4.99 out of my checking account without my permission. I didn't owe that to them anyway because I signed with them for 6 mos. FREE in November. I desperately need your help to get this phone bill paid. It wasn't MY fault that AOL scammed me! Thank You.
I have been very upset and disturbed by all of this. My neurologist had to put me on a 75 milligram anti-depresant (every day). I'm a nervous wreck over this!
Dana of Saint Louis MO (02/22/08)
I bought a new computer in June of 2007 that came with 6 months of free AOL Internet service. Against my better judgment, I provided my debit card number to get my internet set up. I couldn't understand why that was needed if the service was free. Now I see.
I actually never got around to using the service because I got cable service. I removed the software from my computer and pretty much forgot about it. Then, a few days ago, I noticed a charge of $25.90 on my bank statement. I looked back and found I was charged 3 months in a row. I called AOL to cancel and the guy I spoke with said they could credit my account for the latest charge, but not the first two.
I spoke to a supervisor who said that not only would he not refund the first 2 charges, but not the 3rd that the first rep already said would be credited to my account. He told me the computer would not allow them to issue refunds and gave me some address with a P.O. Box to write to if I have a problem with what he said.
Judy of Sarasota FL (02/20/08)
I am being billed $29.85 a month for a free service by AOL. They are charging me through a credit card that is brand new, and they do not have the authority to use it. I cannot contact them unless I start a service for $9.95. I do not know how they got this information, but it is FRAUD how they tag unto a cc without permission!
I am being charged for a free service at $29.85 a month and cannot get them to stop. I want reimbursement for the last 12 months; and it is illegal to get my credit card information without consent.
Teresa of Live Oak FL (02/14/08)
We bought our first computer in 2006. It came with free 60-day trial with AOL--just sign up. We signed up but canceled before 60 days went out, to go with another provider. Here it is 2008 and just found out Aol has been charging my bank card a monthly fee for service never used. If you or I do this kind of thing we would be serving time for theft, so how do they get away with it?
AOL has taken money from me that should have been used at my discretion and not stolen, as it has. I have not received one piece of any information, on paper or otherwise, pertaining to AOL. I discovered this bill because I am changing checking accounts and leaving an open credit line with this bank. I have been receiving debits from my credit line to AOL, of which I had no previous knowledge. So not only am I paying for service not received, I am also paying interest on this account now.
Diana of Oroville CA (02/13/08)
I received a charge on my credit card out of the blue for $29.95 for AOL services. I contacted credit card company as unauthorized charge so it was taken off, but now I received a bill for outstanding balance. I contacted AOL, as the only time I had an account with them was when it was free with the new computer; and we had to use them to access the internet to set up an ISP account with a server of our choice. The representative on the phone asked if I had ever called to cancel service. Well, no, but I was not notified of charges either, until it appeared about two years after our purchase of the new computer. The representative, Judy, had to talk to her supervisor. My account was terminated effective 1/31/08, but I STILL OWED THE $29.95. I opted to get an address to mail a check because I did not want them authorized to use my VISA account.
Due to the fact that I don't want onerous points as to unpaid accounts, I'm being forced to pay an account balance of $29.95 for an account I have never used except to set up my computer when the service was deemed as free.
Renee of Brisbane CA (01/31/08)
AOL would not issue a refund for an unused account (they could tell that the account had been inactive for 3 months). They tried to tell me that if they gave a refund to everyone that asked for it that they would go out of business! Then they tried to get me to sign up for their $9.99 dial-up account and I asked them why was I being charged $25.90 for the dial-up?!
It's not an option when signing up for the free service. Of course it's not. Why have someone pay only $9.99 when you can be sneaky and get them to pay $25.90! AOL is horrible.
Anthony of Levittown NY (01/19/08)
I had AOL for a 6-month free trail. I canceled them on 10/2/07. They said that it would take effect on 10/21/07. I have an email from them canceling the account and changing it to a free account because I have Optimum Online. AOL has continued to charge my credit card for the last 4 months. After repeated attempts to contact them via telephone, with only to have dealt with many disconnected phone calls, I feel that I have no choice but to file a complaint before it gets out of hand.
Mike of Twin Lake, MI (01/13/08)
I am being charged over $300 for what they say was an account opened on a computer with their trial software. I have never used AOL and have been an Earthlink customer for years. These charges are showing up on my Verizon phone bill.
I did get a new computer a year ago but am not aware of anyone in the household signing up for their service and know that the service has not ever been used. I have also deleted their software off my computer.
D.a. of Wadsworth OH (01/02/08)
I downloaded the new version of AOL, and I hate the ads and all the business around the email site and everywhere. I also could get a background to add to my email, and that's gone. How do I get the old version back?
Brandie of Ashford WV (12/17/07)
My husband and I purchased a computer for my parents in November 2007. I had just had a second surgery to remove cancer from my body. My mother was having to do almost everything for me so the computer was a thank you. With the computer came a 6 month free trial. She hadn't had the service for an entire month yet and AOL charged $109.95 to her bank account. I called AOL and the service representative told me she was sorry but the system could only allow her to refund me $60.00 back. She then told me I would only be charged $9.95 a month after. Are you kidding me? As if I would wish to continue such a service. It took me nearly an hour to cancel the service. Each time I told her I wanted to cancel my service, she would reply with an upsale. Cancel means cancel, I no longer want AOL. I am still unsure if the service was cancelled or not. 6 Months Free Trial, yeah right. I am sick to my stomache.
Shawn of South Bend IN (12/16/07)
I bought a Dell computer in January of 2006. I was to receive 6 months free AOL. I only received 3 months free and was told to fax them copies of my Dell bills. After trying for over a week to fax to a constant busy signal on there end, I gave up in frustration and just assumed I was getting ripped off out of my other 3 months. A while after that I started having problems with my service and called tech support to help me out. The first lady out of the many people that I spoke to that day asked why I was paying for the dial up plan at $25.90 a month when I was on high speed and should only be paying $9.95 a month? She told me they would refund the over-charges and that she would transfer me to billing. The lady in billing said that they would not refund any thing and that the billing was my problem.
I proceeded to ask for a supervisor and explain my free months, and now the new problem and the promise of a refund. She also said that they would not do a thing about it. I said that I want my 3 months or my refund of my over-payments of $25.90 or both--which is the proper thing for them to do. After arguing with her she finally said I would see a refund in 2-3 billing cycles. After about 5 months or so still nothing. I called to cancel and demand my money. Still no refunds, and as a final insult after 18 months of service with high speed, they charged my credit card $100.00. I called and asked what is this-- and was told I went over my 10 FREE HOURS of dial up, even though I never had dial up until my cancellation!
This has added stress to my life which can shorten my life, and loss of time on telephone that could have been used to spend time with family and friends during what little time we have here on earth.
Robert of Riverside CA (12/13/07)
One of the rare times that I checked my checking account statement, I noticed an AOL charge. Strange, I don't use AOL. I signed up in 2004 on a 90 day free trial, having been made aware of their tactics, I was sure to cancel the membership after 30-days. I made the cancellation on-line and via telephone. I did not get a name of the person that I spoke with for the cancellation. I recently lost my ATM card and closed the account, shortly thereafter I received a past due notice and a notice of cancellation due to nonpayment on my AOL account. Funny, I don't have an AOL account! I called their customer service and explained my situation to a gentleman with what seemed to be a Middle Eastern accent, who informed me that there is or was no notice of cancellation from me, and since I could not produce a cancellation code, I am liable for the past due amount. Futhermore, if I did not pay, they would send the bill to a collection company. Even though he looked at my account and admitted that there was no activity since 2004, I had been a member since no record of cancellation was on file. This is the very reason, I will never willingly become an AOL member!
As of this time there has been no actions against me. However, I'm positive that AOL action is on the horizon.
Chris of Palatine, IL (11/08/07)
I set up a free trail and was billed for two months of two services and then promised it would be canceled. It was not canceled and they have not issued the refund by the numerous dates they have promised. They have lied to me and set up more then one account.
I have lost money and time dealing with this.
Karen of Angier, NC (07/18/07)
I had to call AOL on numerous occasions to cancel my service after receiving a disk from AOL with a free-trial period of 30 days.
Before the 30 day trial period ended, we contacted AOL to let them know we were not interested in their internet service and we were billed countless times and harrassed constantly. When it was finally cancelled, I still received invoices for payment and it took months before I ever got this straight. I still had to pay AOL money that they told me was owed to them.
Thomas of Cordova AL (05/05/07)
I made the mistake of trying one of AOL's Free 3 month trials. After 2 months, I called to cancel and was assured the account was cancelled. The same day I recieved an e-mail thanking me for taking dial-up connection. I called back and cancelled this connection that I had not requested. The same thing happened again and I cancelled again and was assured that it was cancelled. I assumed it was taken care of and thought nothing more of it until I recieved my bank statement and discovered that AOL had debited my account on 04/10 and 05/01/07 for the amounts of $30.90 each date. I promply called and was told I had 2 accounts for hi-speed internet service. I told the rep that I didn't have any service with AOL and didn't have any of their software on my computer. I requested cancellation again for a service I had not ordered and requested a refund. The rep assured me that both accounts had been cancelled and that I was due a $60 refund but it would take 1 to 2 months to investigate. I spoke to the rep on 05/03/07 and decided not to take any chances on them debiting my account again since all the stories I had heard about AOL. I went to the bank on the 05/04/07 and closed my account. All this trouble to get a free trial of AOL. I will never do business with AOL again.
i
At this time, Aol owes me $60 not to mention the stress this caused me dealing with these people.
Elizabeth of Laguna Beach CA (04/28/07)
They offer free internet to try it out with every computer I have purchased, have to input a credit card to make sure you are over 18, and promised you aren't charged. They don't monitor that it is not used, or notify user of the end of the free period, except on the AOL (which is not being used). I have tried numerous times to get it removed, cancelled no avail, they can't find my account, but I am being charged and being sent notices that I could be sent to collections. And, when I have the payment rejected, they double bill my account the next month.
Double payment for account that is not being used. I don't work and can't afford this and catchup billing. I use free services to have email.
Robin of Woonsocket RI (04/25/07)
In February of this year, my daughter purchased a computer with 6 months of 'free' AOL service. She had to use my debit card as AOL wouldn't let her use the phone bill option. She called to cancel on April 6, (they have a record of this call, but 'no one was on the line'!?!). Well needless to say, my account was debited $25.90 to AOL on April 23. They refuse to give a credit It's non-refundable, how can a FREE trial be charged and then NOT be refundable? All they would tell me was the the account had to be cancelled before the free trial was over, I explained that it wasn't even two full months of the six free. They just didn't comprehend this. I have sent an e-mail to the attorney general's office, and am still waiting for a response.
Wanda of Florence NJ (04/23/07)
I canceled an AOL account in February and reopened a new account under the free account policy. I have been erroneously charged $25.90 per month for Feb. Mar., and April of 2007 while indicating that my access was through my own, separately-paid broadband service (through Verizon). I never accessed the account through their connection means and was never aware that I was placed on a monthly dial-up plan for their free service. I attempted to resolve this with customer service, and they refuse to refund the charges because the member sign-up indicates that members are made aware of the billing stipulations when requested to provide their billing information. (However, the website requests billing credit card or bank account for idenitification purposes when a byoa broadband account is initiated.)
Three months of charges at $25.90 per month. No ability to even access the dial-up account through their software. No customer service remediation. Refusal to acknowledge the signup error on their part. Unclear member services pages and unclear account sign-up directions.
Mildred of Elizabeth City NC (04/13/07)
Signed up for 90 day risk free internet. Cancelled within 90 days. Billed, charged checking account. Have made numerous calls to expedite a refund of withdrawn charges, to no avail. Each service representative guarantees I will receive a refund within one week.
This process began in December, 2006. As of 4/13/07, I have not received refund for 2 months of service charges.
M. DelToro
John of Tucson AZ (04/09/07)
I am one of many who have been fraudulently billed for services that I did not use. I cancelled the Free subscription within 30 days of initiation. Actually I never used it and went with DSL & Qwest Comm. Anyhow approx. six months after the fact I receive a notice that I owe $51.80 (past due). I called AOL twice to rectify the situation and was informed that the only way to resolve the matter is to submit a check/payment in the amount of $51.80 to AOL. I refused and told them so in a diplomatic manner. The AOL Rep. simply said that the bill would be turned over to a collection agency. I have never been late on a bill and have a blemish free credit record. Their unresponsive, demanding manner makes me resolve even more so to stick to my guns. I told them there is no way they're going to see any payment from me.
Barbara of Dresden OH (04/09/07)
I bought a laptop and was to receive 3 months free. I noticed that in the month of March I was billed 3 times and it was deducted from my checking account. I was told that I would receive
it all back into my checking account the
way it was removed. I have not received
anything back at this point.
Ray of Rochester NY (04/06/07)
I have attempted to resolve over billing which developed from a free trial and have since incurred billing charges, overdrafts, charges due to same and these resulted in closure of my personal account with Chase. I have been spent literally HOURS trying to get this resolved, and have been unsuccessful. they tell me it is my banks fault ( not true). My bank advised me to take legal action. Now I am wondering if there is any way to recoup this money?
Arlyn of Sterling VA (03/30/07)
I work for AOL. And I totally understand how their members feel. I have resigned already, because of these practices they have. First, they have this 90day risk free trial. In the cover it says no credit card required, which is totally a big hoax because it does require a payment method. What's worse, is that you will be getting charged for the 90 days that you will be using the service and not get a refund if you cancel AFTER the 3month period. There's no need for me to defend a company whose marketing strategies are very misleading. I feel sorry for the customers who get overdraft fees because of this so-called promotion.
Clyde of Grand Prairie TX (03/28/07)
I signed up over the phone with AOL for
their dial-up service with the under-
standing that the first month was free.
Their service was so slow I cancelled
within the first month (over the phone)
and was assured that I would not be
charged anything. Lately I received a
letter informing me that I owe $25.90
Darryl of Greem Brier AR (03/26/07)
I singed up with AOL, March, 06 with a six month free offer through Dell did not like the service so I never used it and I canceled it the same month.
I have been sent to collections for the sum of $51.80 for a service that was not used!
William of Vero Beach FL (03/22/07)
I attempted to cancel aol b/4 my trial
period is over on April 31. They claimed that they cannot do this if I
no longer have the credit cards last 4 digits. I have closed the credit card account & have no way of knowing
what it is.
I was on the phone for ver an hour trying to cancel this. I do not want this to go to collection.
David of Wellston OK (03/20/07)
I am a past account holder of AOL dial-up. I signed up for AOL for a free trial. Soon after signing up my account, my home computer crashed and I called to cancel the account to assure that I would not be billed for a service that was no longer necessary. My account was cancelled and I was credited the 2 months payments that had been charged to my credit card. However, I was unaware that I had 2 accounts that were under this trial period. When I called, I assumed my accounts were closed and the matter was over. Then in February, I noticed that I was still being charged for an AOL account. I had been charged a total of 6 times and refunded for 2 of these charges in December. I called to resolve the matter in February when I noticed I had been billed 4 times without a refund and without realizing that my account was still open after I had called to cancel in November. I was told my account would be credited and I continued to check my credit card for this credit. On Tuesday, March 20, 2007, approximately 1 month after my call to have the charges credited back to me, I called to check the status of my credits and was told that I was not going to be credited because I had called in February to cancel, which was after my free trial had ended. In actuality, I had called in November and my accounts were not accurately closed. After getting no helpful response from customer service, I felt as if this letter would have to be the next logical step.
Charges of $103.60 to credit card.
Vicki of Caledonia OH (03/16/07)
When I puchased a dell laptop in September 2005 part of the purchasing package was free AOL but of course you have to secure the FREE AOL with a credit card. Oh my god, I woke a sleeping giant. It has been a nightmare. First, they begin charging me when I wasn't even using them as my internet provider, then they started billing me for services that I did not even use. They were sending me bills for 103.60 and threatening collection. After many disputes, headaches, and not wanting to ruin my credit I paid it. Now today, March 16, 2007 I have received a collection notice from NCO Financial Systems for the above amount. I am outraged. I have the cancelled check proving it was paid. What now? Does anyone have an answer??
Collection agency is sending me bills.
Debra of Cleveland OH (03/14/07)
My son set up a new account on AOL and I allowed him to use my Visa Check Card.
I was billed 35.90 for the first month with his risk free trial. I called them immediately and asked what they had billed me for when he had a free 90 day trial and they told me that at the end of 90 days I would get my money back is I was not satisfied. I then asked them how much the service was a month and they told me 25.95 and I told them then that they had over billed me and he said well you have 2 accounts. i told him no I only had one account and gave them the screen names. From the 5th of March til the 9th they credited my account back the 9.95. Today being the 14th of March just 9 days later they have gone back into my account and accessed another 30.90. I humored myself by calling customer service and they still can't tell me why they have billed me an additional 30.90 when it shows that the other account has been canceled.
What do I do to stop this madness.
Help.
Christopher of Merrick NY (03/09/07)
I subsrcibed for the FREE online trial and was charged the same day. I didnt even filter throught the monthly billing cycle. It showed up on my statement and when I called them they said they had no record of billing me.
Also...When you download their software the unistall tools they provide inadequatley remove ALL portions. In fact they make it almost impossible to remove all facets of AOL unless you swipe your hard drive clean.
And finally...their automated service makes it almost impossible to speak to a representative. Very frustrating. And when you call to cancel they aruge with you and harass you. This is totally uneceptable.
Unneed time and energies lost playing their stupid juvenile games where they bully you. Computer problems because their softward is malicicous, lost money until my credit card investigates their fraudulent charges and the fear that they will bill me again indiscrimanatley.
Joy of Sheffield Lake OH (03/03/07)
Upon first receiving notice via email from AOL informing AOL customers that if they have another high speed provider, that their AOL service would then become free service. All that needed to be done was fill out a notice form informing AOL of having another high speed carrier. Which I did, first calling AOL and they directed me to notifying online which I also did. While taking the necessary steps to notifying them of the change, I received their confirmation(at the same time, I copied my notification and their confirmation of receiving it). I then received notice from AOL online when signing on my computer since the change, that I owed for one month's service to them. Upon calling them and speaking to several AOL assistants including a supervisor, I was told they had no record of receiving my notice of becoming a free member. I have since received two bills in the mail and now every time I sign on my computer, a new notice comes up saying RESTRICTED due to a billing matter.
Debbie of Citrus Heights CA (02/28/07)
I also signed up for AOL's 30 day trail membership. I canceled the account and as with other's a few months later I received a bill for just over $100.00. I've tried to call them, but of course no one ever answers the phone number-I wait and wait and wait and finally hang up. Now daily their collection debt is calling me demanding the money. Over and over I asked them to stop calling my cell phone. I've explained the situation and they've assured me that they will keep on calling me until I pay up. I canceled over the internet and since moved so I don't have a confirmation number.
John of Neshkoro WI (01/25/07)
I called to give feedback on their service. I wanted to voice my opinion about their new welcome screen and the limitations for their new "free" service. I've been a paying member for over 7 years and jumped at the chance when I was offered the free service as a "valued customer for so many years". I was NEVER told that I would lose technical support help or other needed services but now that I need to utilize it to my surprise I get " I’m sorry, but we don’t offer support to free users".
I called the corporate office and was told I cannot leave feedback because I'm a free user NOR can they give me any support help. I guess paying $23.90 a month for 7 years gets you the honor of being fooled into a so called "free service" where you cannot get any kind of help. "AOL listens to its members" as their advertising says. Yeah right.
Tonya of Gardendale, AL (01/17/07)
I received a 90-day free trial over two years ago. I installed it and immediately had problems with my computer. I tried again and my computer crashed.
I immediately called AOL and asked them to cancel service. A few months later my account was overdrawn and I realized they had drafted money out of my account. I called and asked them to cancel once again. I can't tell you how many times I have called and cancelled.
I have recently closed my bank account, that I have had for 14 yrs, because AOL continues to take money out of my account.
Patricia of Buena, NJ (12/20/06)
I signed up for 3-months free AOL in Aug. of 2006. I use Comcast and have been a customer for 5 years.
I got my October bank statement and AOL had taken $30.90 out. When I called on 10/24 to complain they gave me a credit of $30.90. They told me that AOL would be cancelled, but they charged my account $30.90 again, causing a $20 service charge. When I called a second time, I was told that I was not going to receive a credit.
I am afraid that this month will be the same. I need to budget my money, and AOL is not in my budget!!!
Apryl of Morgantown WV (11/20/06)
On the date of June 11, 2006 I signed up for a FREE trial with AOL. I needed my credit card information entered for if I further kept my account. But I canceled my trial before the billing period ended and $25.43 was taken from my bank account(during the FREE trial). I put in multiple requests to have the money replaced in my account and when I followed up with AOL to tell them the money still hadn't been replaced on November 20th 2006 they told me there was nothing they could do but put in yet another request for a refund and that it would take another 1-3 months to recieve it. I've already waited 3 months from the first time I requested my refund.
Aminah of Suffolk, VA (09/09/06)
At the end of 2005 I started a trial of AOL. I used it for 30 - 45 days and then cancelled. I have had nothing but harrassment from these people sending me bills.
Trying to get thru to AOL to complain is a joke. They put you on hold forever and then when you finally get through they question you forever about why you are canceling.
Today they sent me another bill and said this was a final notice. I will not pay them one penny.
Sharon of Roland OK (08/31/06)
I had a 90 day free trial with AOL. They ask for a credit card and said I would not be billed until after my 90 days. I cancelled before the ninety was up, but they billed my credit card. I contacted them and they. Before I could get a representive on the phone a was disconected 3 different times. When I finally got someone on the phone the lady I talk to was trying everything she could to get around the problem. I got into an argument with her and told her I wanted this cancelled. Finally she agreed to cancel my account.
When I received my credit card statement I was charged 2 more months. I contacted them again and I was told this was never cancelled. So the person I was talking to finally agreed to cancel this and said I would be credited for 3 mos. I contacted my credit card company and they told me I was only credited $17. I tried to contact AOL once again. The only thing that has happened is listening to the recording. While waiting on a consultant I was disconnected 2 more times. I have'nt got this taken care of yet.
Sharon of Campbell CA (08/05/06)
I have tried numerous times to cancel a 30 day trial service with AOL. Now I am receiveing bills that state I must IMMEDIATELY pay and owe $47.80 for services. Each time I call I am told that my services were not cancelled before the trial period had ended. I called and cancelled this service as I had decided to go with Comcast. I feel that AOL holds customers HOSTIGE and that they do not keep records on callers requesting to cancel they trial service. Today, I called and was on the phone for over 2 hours and was given the run around as well as disconnected several times and had to call back.
Melanie of Minneapolis MN (08/01/06)
In October 2004 I used one of the AOL free trial CDs. I canceled this free trial offer in less than a month, refusing the additional three months free they tried to tempt me with to keep me as a member. In July 2006 I received a notice from NCO Financial Services saying I owed $95.60. I'd never gotten a bill from AOL saying I owed them money. I was just sent straight to a collection agency.
I contacted NCO to dispute the charge, but they weren't helpful, and I wasn't confident my call would prevent my credit from being affected. After much internet searching, I found a phone number for AOL's billing department. AOL Billing- 1-800-827-6364 I called this number and spoke to someone who was very helpful. She researched my account, but said it was too old, and was unable to explain WHY this situation had occurred in the first place. She did say she would clear my outstanding balance, and send a request to NCO to stop collection on my account. The representative sounded competent, so I think this will resolve my issues with AOL. I just wanted to provide this information to others who might benefit from it.
Ber of Huntsville AL (07/29/06)
In October of 2003 I used a free trial version of AOL. I canceled it when the trial was up after being run around on the phone for 30 minutes they said everything was ok. July 2006 I recieved a letter from a collection agency NCO Financial stating that I owe $95.65 and that it will affect my credit score. I think all 30 day free trials are a scam and that AOL is a leader in it.
Im in the process of dealing with AOL and calling NCO financial was a joke. All I ever get is people who barely speak english.
Patricia of Atwater CA (07/20/06)
They keep on billing me when i was assured they would not access my account until 8/18/06, I am suppose to be on a free trial for the last couple of months and in that time they have caused me at least 100 dollars in bank overdraft charges. I talked to them a few days ago, I just wanted to cancel and this guy tells me they will credit my bank account 61+ dollars, and give me 1 more month for free but they go and overdraw my account AGAIN. they assured me that this was not going to happen again. now they are messing with my computer so I cannot browes even when using another internet provider.
I have 4 kids and I am raising them alone, and unemployed, i need every last cent I have and then aol trys to steal from me and causes me to pay for overdrafts as they keep dipping into my checking account when they are not suppose to. probably about 100 dollars in overdrafts and I needed that money to feed my children. help me!!
Maria of Laredo TX (07/19/06)
We used AOL for a week using the free-trial offer when our previous internet service ended. After using only one week of AOL we decided to change the provider to a different one because it was causing our connection problems. Months later, around February 2006, we received on our phone bill a demand for payment from AOL. I called AOL asking them why they were charging for something we weren't using, but nonetheless requested the account be cancelled.
They supposedly cancelled the account and by next month AOL was still charging to our phone bill. Once again I called and said the account was already cancelled and asked why they kept charging me. All they said was that the account was already cancelled but didn't answer the question to why they kept charging me.
This happened a couple of times more. AOL started charging about $23 a month and right now they keep charging and it is up to $81.68. We don't know what to do anymore to get it in their heads that we can't pay for that amount because we don't use AOL. It has been inactive since the week after we used it, supposedly on the free trial. We refuse to pay AOL for something we didn't use except the free week.
Nita of Arvada CO (07/16/06)
When I purchased my computer in March, the packaging indicated 3 months FREE AOL. At the time I was between apartments, and staying with a friend. She did not have anything but dial up and since I believed that I had 3 free months with AOL, I decided to use the free offer. Except that it was anything BUT free. I was required to give my checking account info - supposedly so if any extra charges were incurred that it would be covered. But immediately AOL began deducting $28.60! I didn't use the service for more than a month and completely deleted it from my computer!
When the second deduction made me incur around $200.00 worth of charges (I have a limited income from disability) I became very angry. Lo and behold when I called AOL to complain - they informed me that I was in the arrears for $61.60! They said that my bank paid them but then took it back out of the account! WHAT A LINE OF BULL!!!!! Of course I called my bank and they explained that they couldn't do that - and the statement I had showed AOL took it out and I wasn't credited like he said happened. The guy then wanted me to give him my debit card information! I asked him if he really thought I was that STUPID!!! And of course he did - and I was because I gave him my account and routing number again! Because he said that he needed it to credit the money back to me. Now I know that he just wanted it to look like I signed up again.
Teresa of Shasta Lake CA (07/15/06)
I received a letter from my bank stating that they had paid a fee of $25.90. At no time have I signed up for, or wanted this service. I need to know how I stop the payments being made directly from my account.
Bart of Fresno CA (07/15/06)
I had signed up for a 90 day FREE trial period for the AOL 9.0 and I installed the system on April 02, 2006 and gave them my debit card number although the CD states No credit card required. I received notification from my bank, Washington Mutual here in California that AOL had charged me for the 'free 90 service' a first month charge of $23.90 and this was deducted from my account on June 06. Then on June 09, I received another notice from Washington Mutual that the second month of billing had been deducted beginning June 01 and since I only had 35.00 in the account originally, the bank went ahead and paid this second amount because I had signed up for 'overdraft protection'.
Barbara of Wooster, OH (07/11/06)
I purchased an E-Machine December 2005. As part of the special deal I had to purchase 1 year of AOL services and they would send me a $125 Best Buy gift cards. Two months went by and I called AOL rebate center and they said that due to high demand they were out of gift cards and would be receiving more later.
I have called every month since December (it is now August). During my last call in June the representative said it was on the way. There is no gift card. I think this is clearly fraud.
Now after reading several consumer complaints I'm afraid that AOL will never cancel my subscription after it expires.
Nicole of Sherman Oaks CA (07/11/06)
I was on a trial period, before the trail period ended I called and cancelled, they are still demanding payment. When speaking with the Billing dept. then even noted that the account wasn't being used and promised to credit me. I'm now being sent to collection for $99. This is so unfair.
They make you feel that you have no options but to pay or else get it on your credit. This is unacceptable! I want to fight them to the end. It would be easy to pay the $99 to keep my sanity, but not this time. They are robbing people blind.
Deanna of Sugar Tree TN (06/22/06)
I bought a new computer when I set it up it had AOL on it. I chose not to take the AOL service due to the fact that I do not have long distance service and I would have to have that for AOL service. They ( AOL ) has been charging my husbands credit card and once he cancelled the card they began sending a paper bill. I have called and told them that we did not have their service and they credited my husbands account for one month but they have now began to send another paper bill. They are saying that my services are going to be interrupted well it is really hard to interrupt service that we DO NOT have.
Terry of Camas WA (06/22/06)
I was mailed a 'Service Interruption Alert' from AOL with the instructions to call them at their billing department. I DO NOT receive AOL or use their services. The notice stated my account as #0426091949. I called them and was transferred to their billing department to an 'Andra' who I explained that I did not receive services or use AOL. I did sign up for a 'FREE disk for only a short time/ approx 1 week/ in July of O5'.
Since that time, my credit card was being billed for this service that I do not receive. I DID in July 05' talk to someone at AOL telling them I no longer wanted their service. 'Andra' informed me there was nothing he could do about it and that I not only could not get my monies back but that I owed for this account. I asked to talk to a supervisor and he then very rudely explained that I was talking to the person that made the decisions.
I told him that I would call back at a different time to speak to someone who could help me. I called back two days later, on 6/22/06 and spoke to a 'Leonard' who also informed me that there was nothing he could do about the account and that it would go into collections. I again asked to speak to someone who could help me to search this issue out. As I am quite sure they could tell that I have not accessed the account, and was again informed there was nothing or no one else I could speak to.
Jennifer Hrncir of Shiloh GA (06/14/06)
An audit of our checking account showed that AOL has withdrawn from our checking account twice a month $30.92. Who can we contact to prevent this from happening, again?
Pamela of Horn Lake MS (06/01/06)
Had a free trial membership from aol. i canceled it before the free trial period ended. Now, 6 months later i received a phone call from a rep. from aol, stacy, which advised me that i had a 123.50 balance due which had been turned over to collections. I advised her that i had cancelled the membership before the trial period had ended. she said that there was no record of me canceling my membership. Now i have a bill of 123.50 that i do not owe but will go on my credit report. They keep giving me the run around everytime i try to call and resolve this. To my suprise after i recieved that call i looked up on my computer and found out that aol has a history of frauding and double billing their customers! How can they get away with this?
This debt has been turned over to a collection agency. I am in the process of trying to establish good credit and this makes me mad due to the fact that i do not owe this bill.
William of Lexington, KY (05/17/06)
On 1/16/06 I picked up one of AOL's free cds for a 90-day risk-free trial. I cancelled my account on 3/15/06, well within the trial period. However, AOL billed me for $25.90 on 3/8/06 on my check card.
When I received the confirmation that my account was cancelled I though I would receive a refund but I never did so I called them to find out why not. The AOL phone representative said I only had a 50 day free trial and not a 90 day free trial. The packaging the CD came in was for 90 free days - not one word about 50 days - a bold face lie!
I cancelled my check card in case they try to pull any stunts of billing me for anything else.
Lycia of Phoenix, AZ (05/15/06)
AOL refuses to acknowledge cancellation of my membership within the free trial period and continues to charge my account without my authorization.
I have been billed for over $300 in unauthorized charges.
Maria of Tampa FL (05/13/06)
I had decided to take America Online as a internet provider, I took that that special for the 1055 hour free, but before my hours expired my computer crashed and I no longer needed there services. So I called AOL and I ended the free trial and told them that I no longer needed their services because my computer crashed which was in October. They discontinued my services and that was the end of that, until I started recieving charges on my Verizon phone from AOL, I called Verizon phone service and asked them what was the charges about and they told me to pay the bill and I will get a credit for the next pay period from AOL.
I got the next bill and I got the credit like they said but I got another charge, I called AOL and explained the situation, they said that I no longer have to worry about this. Then I got another phone bill with another charge from AOL stating I only have to pay approximately $12.00, I called verizon and asked them if the amount due was correct and the woman that I spoke to said yes, so I told her I hope there would be no fishy stuff on the next bill, she said no. A few weeks after that incident I got a payement letter from AOL stating that I owed them $28.90, I called AOL and asked them why am I receiving a bill, and the AOL rep told me that I owed them that amount of money, so I disputed with her because I shouldnt have to pay them anything because I ended my services before my free trial ended and Verizon said I wouldnt have to worry about any more billing from AOL.
Verizon was the one who gave me credit on my phone bill. So I told the rep that AOL needs to contact verizon and take care of this situation. So today I got a collection notice stating that I owe AOL the $28.90, I dont need to be sent to a collection agency when I have no reason to be getting charged for services that I canceled before the time needed, also what discrepencies that Verizon did to my phone bill they need to resolve it with AOL or vice versa. I continually called AOL and verizon that I shouldnt be getting charged for none of this, but now Im sent to a collection agency.
Patricia of Spanaway, WA (05/08/06)
I was billed $30.90 on my Qwest account for AOL. This AOL account was supposed to be a free 6-month subscription that came with a new Toshiba computer. I haven't even had my computer for 5 months yet.
I already have high speed internet with Qwest for less than the $30.94 billed my phone bill.
I tried to resolve this issue on the phone, per AOL policy, but no resolution was ever made.
Jennifer of Port Huron, MI (04/23/06)
I called AOL in Feb to cancel my free trial that I had gotten with my new computer. I was supposed to have a 6-month trial. I got the service in Nov and they tried to bill me in Feb.
When I called I told the rep to cancel the acct that I didn't want it anymore. Then this morning I woke up to call my cable company to make a payment to them and my credit card was denied due to insuficiant funds. When I called the card company they told me that AOL took the money.
AOL stated that the rep I talked to put 2 months free on my acct and did not cancel it. They stated they would cancel the acct today but would not give me the money back that they took.
Ruth of Las Vegas, NV (04/16/06)
I thought I had a free trial of 90 days to use the service then decide if I wanted it. Within one week of my service I had an email from billing that stated "Please be advised that your monthly billing charges will be submitted to your bank 10 days following the issuance of this notification".
I received this on the 14th of April and called on the 16th to cancel my service. I spoke to Scott who informed me that they had already billed my account and that they would issue a refund 90 days from today. I explained to him that because they billed me early my account was overdrawn. His only response was "that's not good". When I told him that was totally not ethical and legal he hung up on me.
I tried to email the "billing mgr", but naturally they don't accept email.
Sheryl of Murfreesboro TN (04/14/06)
I signed up for the free trial not realizing I didn't need it for AIM (AOL instant messenger.) I called to cancel the trial when I saw $23.90 deducted from my bank account. I got a long spiel about the benefits and when I was adamant about closing it they gave me a reduced rate of &4.95. I took it just to be done with them. Well, shortly after I saw the credit for the $23.90 and right behind it was a debit for $23.90 not once but twice. I called AOL again and they assured me they would get it taken care of.
Sure enough there was a credit for $47.80 within a few days. Shortly after that there was another debit for $23.90. More than a little tired of this battle I called again to get it corrected. This time they told me I had set up 2 accounts instead of one when I signed up. Okay...then cancel both. Not so easy. They changed the one to $4.95 and now told me I have to wait until the full 90 day trial is up before they will credit me the $23.90.
I explained that had not been the case in the past and was told the previous AOL employees I spoke with were misinformed. Okay, so who's the idiot here? Bottom line is AOL is a rip-off who will not correct their mistakes and the consumer is the one who has to pay for it. AOL is not America On Line....it's Alot Of Lies.
Michelle of Avon Lake OH (04/13/06)
We used their "free disc". Now they say we owe them 89.81. I tell them we did npt order it- we used the free service and when we were done we were DONE! When I called to get information I always spoke to someone I of course I couldn't understand maybe that's because they were in ANTIGUA! I would ask to speak to a supervisor and they would transfer me to who knows where and it would ring and ring.... finbally, one night some woman called from AOl and my husband spoke to her-she was yelling at him to pay the bill or we would be sorry.
My husband told her maybe we should get a lawyer and she said are you threatening me My husband replied no but are you? We can not get a straight answer. We did not sign up, join or anything..we did't even have access after January.
Jessica of Yucaipa CA (04/10/06)
Was offered 3 free months of aol and after the 3rd month i cancelled however aol had been charging our visa account for another aol account. we complained told them we are disputing that account, they railroaded us, we have months of charges on our visa plus late fees. Aol promised to give us the best experience and treat us right, this was not the case, we asked for proof that this other account was authorized by us, nothing!
We have written letter after letter and nothing! Aol has ruined our visa account with no explanation.We are now lost and do not know where to go from here. The fraud department said they would put 3 months back on our visa account that was a lie. Nothing has been done.
Margarita of Yonkers NY (04/05/06)
On April 4th, 2006 I was going thru my bank statement when I saw a charge of $25.90 from America On Line. Not having authorized this charge, I called AOL to find out what this was about. They start by asking me if I was using a "free trial" subscription. I said yes, it was for 6 months & it started back in September 2005 when I purchased my computer. It was to go through the end of March 2006. In February 2006 I started to receive pop-ups from AOL informing me that my subscription is almost up & they required my credit card information in order to continue my service uninterrupted. I replied that I was not interested since I was getting Optimum On Line as my ISP.
By the second week in March I had my Optimum On Line connected, up & running, so I canceled the AOL account. That is until I saw the charge on my bank statement. When I called AOL they could or would not tell me how they got my credit card information or why they would even bill me when my subscription was not even up yet. I was put on hold & then informed that I was billed for the 2nd week of Feb. thru the 2nd week of March, & they realized the the billing cycle did not match up because my free subscription had not ended yet. Though I asked repeatedly how did they get my credit card information, they would not provide me with an answer.
To add insult to injury, they stated that it will take 3 months before the money gets put back into my account!! First they were never authorized to take my money & now it will take them 3 months to return it? This is incredulous to me! How is it possible that a major company such as AOL can tap into your personal information & use it to their advantage? Is there any way that I can make this company return the money they 'stole' from my account sooner? This to me is theft for I have never given my credit card information to them nor my authorization for AOL to go into my bank account and steal my money.
David of Chesapeake VA (03/25/06)
I received a free 90-day trial with AOL. I used it for a couple of weeks and cancelled. I switched over to Earthlink. I noticed AOL was billing my account without my authorization. So I called again, and spoke with the AOL rep. Who apologized, and so-called fixed the problem. This happened back in Nov. Here it is March And I'm still being billed 28.90. When I called back, the AOL Rep. was very rude. So i asked him when was the last time I used your services he stated Nov. 17th. So I asked why are you still billing me. He exclaimed because of membership dues.
Louisar of Jacksonville FL (03/21/06)
I had my 3 month Trial AOL service, cancelled on Feb. 27, 2006 - 1 day before the 3 month trial period ended. I had a cancellation confirmation # provided to me. I tried to log back to the account 3 minutes after cancelling it to get a confirmation number/ letter as instucted after cancelling but I got a 23.90 bill. I called AOL and spoke to "MIKE" and he said once I logged in again it meant I signed back up for the service.
I explained to him that it was the instruction provided, and he said the instruction was to go back thru AOL.COm and not by signing thru my account. I don't understand this. I believe it was misleading people. I just want my refund back.
Nancy of Fort Worth TX (03/11/06)
On 2/2/06 I signed up for 90 days free tial. I never got 1 free day much less 90 days. My credit card was charged $23.90 on 2/2/06 and $23.90 again on 3/2/06. I have tried to call the customer service number and am told either the computers are down or I get left on hold and finally after 30 minutes or longer, I hang up. This is false advertising. AOL has LIED about everything they are advertising when it comes to FREE HOURS. Now my home phone is being billed also. How can I get this stopped? I am filing a complaint with the Attorney General's Office because this is the normal business practice for them.
Vicki of Wellsville OH (03/10/06)
I ran a free 50 day RISK FREE disc on 11/25/05 and email customer service on 12/13/05 that I no longer wanted service as well as notified sbc. I was out of town until 2/15/06 and when I returned I found I had been billed for 2 months. When I called aol I was first told I would be refunded(Andrew) then asked for letter and manager(Sabestion) who said he could see service was not used but could only refund 1 month. When my letter was received today it is not signed nor does it state any credits
Deborah of Camp Verde AZ (03/07/06)
I received a 6 month trial with purchase of my Dell system last July 2005. I Started my monthly calls to cancel in December. I was assured that I was cancelled an no money would be debted, That was not the Case. I proceeded to call monthly since then and of course I would get the "no money will be debted" AOL also seems to never have a record of previous calls. Luckly I logged these calls on a calender.
Sara of Queens NY (03/01/06)
On 2/28/06 I was online reviewing my credit card bill statement as I was reviewing the statement I notice. That my balance was extremely high above my usual spending habits. I discovered that I had been charged for purchases that I did not make. I also notice a charge of $19.95 for AOL on line service. I immediately called my credit card complany to dispuite the charges.
I remember subscribing to AOL on line service apox. one yr ago. I was told that there would be a 3 month trial period free of charge. Prior to the ending of my three months free trial I called aol to cancell the account and was told by the representative that the account was cancelled without penalty since I had done so before the 3 month trial period. Now a yr. later I have discovered the account was never cancelled and I have been billed by AOL for over a aprox. one yr, when I was told by aol that the account was closed.
AOL has no record of me using this account. since I have not used aol. I have been trying to reach aol to dispute this account and has been unsuscessful. The automated system prompts for account information such as a screen name etc. information that I cannot provide since I have not subscribe to AOL for internet service.
Beth of Tulsa OK (02/07/06)
We signed up for a 90-day risk free trail and decided after a couple of weeks we would cancel because they charged us 23.90, then we called to cancel and she said that we could not be refunded our money and keep telling us about AOL's best features. We asked to speak to the manager and she said he could not help us then we asked again and she said he was not there so finally we got the "FREE TRIAL" canceled on 1/6/06.
Then the next day they turned it back on and said they would quit billing us at the end of the month 1/23/06 so we are now being charged for two months they were very rude and wouldnt answer any questions
Carole of Sandusky OH (9/24/03):
I signed up for 1045 hours free for 45 days and I only used the service for 30 days. On the bill it says I have used 4,000 hours when that cannot be true. The most I might be on my computer at home is 2 hours max. They are billing when they should not be. I was told that after the free hours, if I did not want to continue as AOL America Online customer that was my choice, but now I'm being billed.
Linda of St. James NY (9/23/03):
I had free trial accounts and have notified them numerous times regarding cancellation. I have faxed the info as well as e-mailing requests and phoning. I tried to cancel 3 times prior to my free trial ending and got no satifaction. AOL is charing my credit card and will not issue a credit and stated the account will have to go into collections and it must be 120 days after the first failed transaction, which they stated is Aug. 30, 2003.
One account had my daughter's name which is an 11 year old and they are charging my account and she is only 11 years old. This was a free trial period and all documents and phone calls show that I tried to cancel. I have spent over 4 hours of phone time, paperwork time and phoning my credit card company, writing to them and at this point I feel I need assistance.
This has interferred with my study time for school, my job time and time with my daughter. I have all transmittals and they stated they did not get the paperwork but at this time they will not still close the account. They need the account to go into a failed transaction first and ruin my credit and cause more charges that I must straighten out with my charge card company, which I must mention is also a closed acct. I closed that charge card out many months ago and it is now being billed to a closed acct for Bank of America. This is very stressful and wrong and that company has to stop making it very difficult to cancel.
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