xuan n Oif
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Lied, overcharge and draining data in the background.

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First of all, one thing FreedomPop does well is getting their people to write fake reviews here praising them. Good jod, good job....now onto the real truth and those who actually have their service can understand.

I got this in mid 2016 because I just needed one for call when I am out, which is rarely.

I have wifi/internet at home and I work from home. I got unlimited text/talk and 1gb data for about $80 and paid extra $20 for group chat. However I got their cdma phone so I was unable to switch more than a year later when my son broke my phone. Then less than a year ago, they had a sale of the same prepaid card for $50 so I bought one and got a unlocked use phone for it.

I also add the group chat/texting for another $20. A few months ago, I keep getting a 2mb data usage out of nowhere but never affected me because I don't use up any data to begin with. Less than a week ago they had a update to their messaging app and I did that. Right away I got message I used near my max, first time ever but still under the 1gb.

This was at the end of my last cycle. Then on Nov 26 I went out and the first thing I got was I used all my data and need to top off. I wasn't able to use my phone at all. I came home and check my usage online and saw they drained my entire 1gb for the month in less than 50 mins on Nov 24 at around 7ish pm.

I as at home on wifi with their data turned off as usual. I checked my phone and saw it was running in the background when I turned of data already. Wow, I checked the months before and notice each month my data usage keep going up and used all by their app. I have on option for my phone to switch to wifi at home or anywhere that has it and manually check each time for more than 2+ years with them so I know for sure.

My phone showed them running in the backgound on their own. So all my month's data gone 50min on the first day of cycle and I no longer able to use my phone. I called but not allow to speak to them unless I paid a monthly fee. Either I top off, which mean keep paying $20 each time just to having them drained data within mins, even when you are not using your phones.

The only app that used all this was their app.

I have other running which uses less than a few megs each for the whole cycle. Also, beware if you add your cc to your account, they will charge you out of nowhere.

View full review
Loss:
$70
Pros:
  • Pricing
Cons:
  • Draining data in background while at home on wifi
  • Unauthorize charges
  • Lies
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Miles K Twb
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Double charged, clicking cancel didn't cancel, charged again six months later.

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Freedompop - Double charged, clicking cancel didn't cancel, charged again six months later.
Freedompop - Double charged, clicking cancel didn't cancel, charged again six months... - Image 2

I originally wanted to try the $0.01 free trial. The first issue was when I got twice as much as I asked for.

(2 sim cards instead of one.) I didn't really worry that much as it was just another penny. I made sure before the end of the month to cancel my plan. Unbeknownst to me, downgrading my plan from the unlimited talk and text to limited still included a $10.00 data plan, which wasn't specified. I was able to get my credit card to cancel those payments.

However, six or so months later, I get a notification from paypal about a freedompop purchase I never made.

I canceled it six months ago, and now I am getting another seven dollar charge!? I made a claim saying this was never authorized, but now my claim was denied.

View full review
Loss:
$8
Pros:
  • Cheap trial
Cons:
  • Shady cancellation
  • Hidden charges
Reason of review:
Problems with payment

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Roczen Jwi

The same with me... For 0.01 why not try.....

Never got a card! I never had a service through Freedompop or an account... Yet these dumb ppl took money from my bank many times over...Had to fight like *** to get my own money back plus they are taking the money out under something different!!! I even went through paypal for my one and only payment that i agreed of 0.01" yet these ppl keep taking large payments from me directly out of my bank!!!

Wrong and they need to be stopped a sued!!! If they can get away with stealing then who wll be next?

DAVID H Yks

A total scam. Can't get customer service without $6 "VIP" subscription.

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Updated by user Mar 01, 2019

Something legal needs to be done about these thieves. I still haven't gotten a refund for a tablet I sent back 3 months ago.

They also have tacked on fees that I did not authorize.

They lure people in with the come-on of free data but it is not true. If you value your money, don't consider these liars.

Original review Jan 24, 2019
Returned a defective tablet over a month ago and have not received refund. Tried to find out why by email from previous RMA and got standard reply saying I had to subscribe to "VIP" service. STAY AWAY from this company if you don't want to get ripped off.
View full review
Loss:
$140
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Sayan Kgs
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Received Defective Phone - Still Trying To Get A Full Refund

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I purchased a phone from Freedompop because my old Freedompop phone broke. I wanted to use the remainder of my yearly subscription and the only way to do that was to purchase another Freedompop phone. After receiving it, I tried everything I could find anywhere to get it to work on Freedompop's network but could only connect to the internet through wi-fi. When I tried to call them for support, I would get a voice recording saying I had to pay $5.99 per month. That's not even a $5.99 one time fee but $5.99 a month. I wasn't about to sign up for their phone support at $5.99 per month when I just bought a phone from them and should have free phone support so I could get it to work. For every day for 16 days, for hours and hours of searching the internet, replying to their support ticket system through email and also communicating with their support community online, I still couldn't get it to work. I asked them to send me a postage paid return label and send me a phone to replace this one that wouldn't work. All they would do is tell me to do the same things, or a variations of the same things, that I tried over and over with the same result, no service. By this time, I became afraid that if they did send me another phone, I could be in this same situation again. I told them I wanted a refund instead. By this time I was without a phone for 3 weeks. Even if they finally sent me a return label, I'd have to wait for them to receive the phone and who knows how long I'd have to wait before I'd receive a replacement. It's been a month and 2 days since I received this defective phone and still haven't received a postage paid return label. When I ask when I'm going to receive it, I'm told they have "escalated my case." If this is "escalated" I'd hate to see a non "escalated" case. I opened a case with the BBB hoping they will be able to help me. I want to make sure I get a full refund. I was already told that I wouldn't get a refund for the shipping that it cost to send the phone to me. They want me to pay for both the shipping to get the phone to me and the shipping to send it back for a defective phone! What a scam!
View full review
Loss:
$60
Cons:
  • Deceptive sales
  • Can only get online to contact customer service
  • Mandating payment to speak with anyone
Reason of review:
Damaged or defective

Preferred solution: Full refund

Richard N Exi
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Deceptive and Non-Transparent Business Practices

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Unexpected monthly billing assessed me due to deliberate, murky advertising. As from Freedom Pop's Order Confirmation to me:

"Downgrade to the 100% free plan or change your plan and services at any time by logging into your FreedomPop account. Cancel service by submitting a ticket HERE. You will not be able to downgrade service until your device has shipped and been activated. When downgrading to the free plan, an account balance is required to protect ourselves from fraud and leakage, as data usage reporting can be delayed up to 3 hours."

Read that first sentence but then seriously caveat emptor!

“Please be advised that your trial premium plan will automatically renew at the given monthly rate when your trial offer expires 14 days after your original signup date as stated in the terms of service agreement.”

Signup Date??? You may miss your window to downgrade for a free phone relying on the "at any time" if you wait to receive it first. Freedom Pop shadily begins your free countdown before even delivery of service or phone. That is a new one on my 72 year old, educated *** You may not even have the phone by then as they keep it in the warehouse (activated) for up to 10 days before shipping.

In which case, like me, you can get locked into a recurring billing even though an email to me said my downgrade to free was successful, and my deposit silently taken.

A small problem in truth, made way massive by one's inability to speak to anyone but a sales person who only refers you to an automated system poorly designed to handle all problems. If you believe in email customer services, then the tooth fairy will visit you tonight. Freedom Pop will visit your bank each month.

I canceled both my Freedom Pop account and debit card to protect me against unauthorized billing, and have requested an RMA which is supposed to arrive by the skin of my 30 day eligibility to do so.

View full review
Loss:
$40
Pros:
  • Canceling account
Cons:
  • 2 days of typing words to express self without phone support
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Zyair Ovl
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Freedompop scam $605

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I purchased the $1 sim card. The service did not work with my phone so I was unable to complete the setup. The sim card did not work. I was unable to even get the phone number setup. The sim card was never configured properly.

I just noticed they have been charging me monthly since 5/2017 for a total of $605 for a service that I couldn't have possibly used.

I called customer support at 888-743-****. The only way you can talk to them is to sign up for a VIP service for $5.03 per month. I paid for the VIP service to talk to support in India, but they were not helpful at all.

I recorder the conversation. They would only refund the last month of $32.98. They agreed that my sim card was never confined and could not be used. They also agreed on the phone that the only service they could have provided was their billing service.

I guess legal action is my only recourse.

Here's a summery of the charges...

10/26/18 FreedomPop Premium VIP Service$5.03

10/22/18 Loyalty Bonus Data 10Pct 1Mo$1

10/22/18 Monthly Charge$33.86

9/22/18Loyalty Bonus Data 10Pct 1Mo$1

9/22/18Monthly Charge$33.86

8/22/18Loyalty Bonus Data 10Pct 1Mo$1

8/22/18Monthly Charge$31.98

7/22/18Loyalty Bonus Data 10Pct 1Mo$1

7/22/18Monthly Charge$31.98

6/22/18Loyalty Bonus Data 10Pct 1Mo$1

6/22/18Monthly Charge$31.98

5/22/18Loyalty Bonus Data 10Pct 1Mo$1

5/22/18Monthly Charge$31.98

4/22/18Monthly Charge$32.98

3/22/18Monthly Charge$32.98

2/22/18Monthly Charge$32.98

1/22/18Monthly Charge$32.98

12/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

11/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

10/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

9/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

8/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

7/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

6/22/17 Monthly Charge$32.98

5/15/17 Initial Signup0.99

View full review
Loss:
$605
Cons:
  • Paying for service i never received
  • Paying for product i never received
  • Nightmare
Reason of review:
Order processing issue

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

Freedom Pop is a scam File complaint with BBB.

Anonymous
map-marker Stone Mountain, Georgia

File a complaint with the FCC

if they get enough complaints somebody will take a look at jerking their License

View full review
3 comments
Guest

Just changed the carrier. FreedomPop charged me $6.99 to port out and took 4 days fir them to release my number.

Had lots of trouble calling and receiving calls. Worst carrier I ever have.

Guest

*** thieves! Need to be shot down.

FREEDOM POP PREPARE FOR SHUTDOWN!! FCC here I come. This company robs everyone who signs up. They charge me $200 and I never even had the stupid card activated or in my possession.

They need to be stopped.

BBB and launch a complaint. I am and anywhere else cu

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1659798

Parfait, I need to file complaint too, Please contact me, thanks me42@***.us

View more comments (2)
Nancy S Knf
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Scammed on SIM card

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Bought a $50 sim card for a one year plan for use in a hotspot . Packaging says it is compatible with most android devices. When i called to find out why my device didnt recognize the sim card was told it is only for phones. You have to open the packaging to get contact info, which makes the card unreturnable. NOWHERE does the packaging indicate it for phones only, nor does it give info about compatability. Customer service is marginal at best, rude at worst
View full review
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
James W Vqt

Bogus billing

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Updated by user Jan 26, 2019

I never ordered it

Original review Jan 25, 2019
They just took $28.00 out of my PayPal. I never could use the service, my phone wasn't compatible. It tried to contact them but the only way to do that is to have an account with them witch I couldn't do because they weren't available in my area.
View full review
Loss:
$30
Pros:
  • Free voice
  • Possibility of free cell service
Cons:
  • Overall very unethical practices
  • Being charged unecessarily
  • Worst customer service
Reason of review:
Problems with payment

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

file a complaint https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744

Anonymous

Over billing

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I was paying $12.98 for their ser on my moms acct.last month they put in a free trail without and notification now just because i did not cancel it before the trail ended they charged me $27.98 i ask u how can i cancel the free trail if i did not know i was in it they did not offer it they just sneaked in on both of my accts hoping i would not notice it but i did i called to get it removed 2 week before it ended they took it of 1 acct left it on my moms.now they say my bill will be $24.95 a month how does that double in 1 month.i just want a refund on the over charge and my bill where it was before the free trial offer.and no more offers without choosing to take a trail offers.then they add a $ for something called loyalty fee what bull i do business with a co.i trust thats loyal give me a $ off my bill ea month is more like it.they are trying to cut back services right and left u have to pay $6 a month if u want to talk to someone live but u still cant get thru.the only reason i stay with them because my acct is free and i just us my ph.as a back up mainly my mom she just use her ph to text and check her stocks does not need a more costly plan.she dont use what she got.ok see what u can do.thanks.
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Xiaojie H

Account doesn't work and website is a mine field of charges with out warning

My account doesn't work and when I clicked on the change number, they didn't warn you about any charge but you get an email of charges. They are good at charges and not responsible for fixing the problem. Fraudulent company that you should stay away.
View full review
Loss:
$5
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Aditya Ahf
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Professional Cheater

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When you give your credit card details while getting the free trail then you are gone to toss. They rip off your money as auto recharge after trail and the time which takes to get your SIM card is 10-15 days and the trial period has already started from the time you order the sim (not from when you activate) and by the time you activate you see they have already charged your Credit Card with the plan. I selected an plan of 6 months for 100$ and they have already charged me with out confirming with me if I have liked the service in the Trial Period. Now when I wanted to say the problem to them for refunding the debit, very surprisingly they don't have a Customer Service Number and if you really want to speak,then you need to pay 17$. The only way to freely contact them is to email to Customer Care and their response sucks and easily your blood boils reading at their response which is received after 3 days. I have tried explaining the problem to refund the money but they are saying nothing is refundable and they have looted all my money. Please please help me in how can I charge claim against them and get my money and I really appreciate if anyone can really help me. I am very much frustrated and everyday I remember that I have been fooled and cheated by Freedom Pop. Once again please somebody help!
View full review
Loss:
$130
Cons:
  • Dont get into freedom pop it sucks your life
  • Professional cheaters
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

2 comments
Guest

What country are you posting from ? Apparently not America, so I can't give you legal or remedial advice, sorry. Now you know to never hand over credit or debit card details so readily so it's not a total loss - may prevent your making a worse error later on ...

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1603521

I live in Florida and Freedom Pop has its own secured website. All my complaint is about no customer service and using my credit details for debiting the plan without my concern; though unknowingly if I have given also they are not refunding upon requesting.

The device and services they are giving is wrist than anything. All the website and advertising is a marketing strategy to attract customers and later u get into and don't like then no way to escape.

View more comments (1)
Anonymous

Billed me even though I don't have an account

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FreedomPop charged $32 to my PayPal account in error. I have tried calling their Customer Service number but without an active account you can't get out of the main phone tree. The only live people available are the new line startup folks, and they just transfer me back to the main tree. I can't find an address to write to. The email they list on the PayPal charge is unmonitored, it just sends back a message to call Customer Service again.
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
MYRNA P

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

They Suck

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Charged me on the free plan. There are no customer service agents unless you pay for them but they don't tell you how. You have to email customer service. I did. They said. Oh, we overcharged you. You have to fix this. Did not even mention returning my money. They were okay a few years ago. They suck big time now. I cancelled and I wanted to email them and tell them they sucked, but they wouldn't even let me email them unless I paid more. Terrible, Terribly sucking company,
View full review
Loss:
$110
Cons:
  • Overbilling and no customer service
Reason of review:
Problems with payment

Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered

Joan M Ldt
map-marker Los Angeles, California

No network access

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For no reason, in fact a few days after they took an automatic top up I lost network access. Translates: no maps, etc, no phone - ability to make calls or receive them worked while I was at home or in wifi like walmart, etc. but not in my car, not around the block, no place. I drive Uber PT, I need access, this cost me 3 days of work! Free? sure if you don't want to use it. They charge for everything! porting your number is $10; then they want you to pay for support! No I have been asking for 3 days so far to get my port out information which is Account # and Pin. If you sign up, insist on an account number being given to you unless you don't care about keeping your number.
View full review
Loss:
$150
Pros:
  • Low cost plan
  • No monthly fee
  • Low cost
Cons:
  • Deceptionstealing and refusing my refund
  • You have to pay to talk to a representative
  • Hidden charges
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: account number, pin and refund of $20 top up

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