Like many others I found on this site, I thought I was being given a great deal for a vacation from Travel Agents Network, for the small process of trying a couple other free offers, no strings attached. Well, again like many other reports on this company, I was also scammed in to being billed for the $49.95 from my checking account, even though I used their convenient and easy to use automated system to cancel my orders. I received the same free vacation package, Travel Agents Network trial membership, and Teliflex trial membership. I was actually (and from the looks of reports previously) able to get the first two mentioned services canceled, so I avoided the $149 and $59.99 charges however, I went to go and balance my checking account online a day ago, and what did I find? A nice little over-drawn listing of my account, thanks to Teliflex. Although I had canceled my request on 6/18/05 @ 3:40 pm (my mobile phone bill verified the call made for me on this date and time) they still charged me. Understandably upset, I called Teliflex and advised them that I had requested the cancellation within their trial period and was to not be billed. The (dis-) service rep, who refused to give me his name, stated that in their service log, he scrolled through and only showed that I cancelled the first two services, but no listing of the Teliflex service.
Now, being in the communications business and working for a mobile phone company I find this hard to believe that if they have an automated system that call-ID's your phone number for your account when you call in, wouldn't they have a recorded log of calls inbound? I understand errors happen, but at the same time, if it verified my number, I'd assume it should've logged my calling in to their IVR system so why would it say I never called? I explained to the guy that I know when I called, I even reiterated the automated system message to him, as to what I heard when I requested the cancellation. All he told me was that he could cancel me effective today, and proceeded to do so. He did give me a confirmation code to show my cancellation, however when I asked about a refund, he told me to send a request in letter form, signed by me, to the address for the company and within 7-10 days from that time it's received I should receive a refund.in regards to the overdraft fees however, he said he couldn't promise I would be compensated for the $136.00 that the overdraft charges added up to (since it caused four transactions to overdraft at $33.00 a piece as well as a continuous overdraft charge of $4.00 my bank charges after 3 consecutive overdrafts). I sent off my letter, along with a copy of my bank statement showing the charges and overdrafts they caused, as well as a copy of my mobile phone bill showing when I originally called in to request the cancellation, as well as the second call that I made with the service rep that states they cancelled my subscription. I am currently awaiting for a refund from them, though from how others have posted a report on these guys, it looks like fighting them through my bank will be a safer bet.
My other concern though, is how did this company get my checking account information? They read the account number back to me, as I only had to say yes or no if it was correct, which when the original offer was extended to me, they read me the routing/transit number and account number digit for digit and was exactly as listed. My only guess may have been through a purchase online or such, since I do shop online a bit, but even still, this really sucks with what this company does to people! If they are to offer services, shouldn't they have reliable systems and easier access to a customer service rep, than to sit and press # multiple times and be on hold for 10-20 minutes at a time? Thanks to this company I'm almost out a few dollars shy of $200.00 I'm hoping my bank will reverse these charges, because I'll fight this any way possible! Companies like this should be shut-down for their unfair and fraudulent business practices.
For those consumers out there doing a search for a long-distance company, and come across this DO NOT use Teliflex! They are the WORST and most UNFAIR company and they WILL rip you off. You may not have a problem with them if you join, but if you do not cancel services with them with a live person, you will most likely be billed after your request is processed by their automated system, from the looks of how they are.in my opinion, NO ONE should ever use the service they offer!
Roy
Albuquerque, New Mexico
U.S.A.
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