I just wanted to put the word out. RealNetworks is scamming people with negative billing methods. I wonder how many people they have done this too and gotten away with over the years?
Here is a copy of the email I sent to their customer support today:
Dear RealNetwork Customer Support:
I am trying to cancel my 14-day SuperPass free trial account offered by RealNetworks, Inc. I reside in Canada.
I recently signed up for a 14 free trial via the RealPlayer website www.real.com and while your website has options for Canadian customers to sign up and enter their credit card information for the free trial, the number you list to cancel the service is not available to Canadian customers.
In fact, every single toll-free customer service number, technical support number you list on your website DO NOT WORK FOR PEOPLE CALLING FROM CANADA. Yes, I have gone through them all.
And every single time I dial them all I get is a recording saying "The number you are trying to call is not available in your area" and then the call is automatically disconnected. I've contacted your customer service support about this before and they will not help. They only refer me back to the same number that DOES NOT WORK.
If I cannot call to cancel before the free trial expires RealNetworks automatically rolls it over into a subscription and charges my credit card subcription fees every month. And RealNetworks, Inc. Has also set it up so that the only way you can cancel the free trial is by phone. You cannot cancel the trial in writing, or by email or even through the customer service chat feature. I have also heard that sometimes people call in to cancel and all the hear is a recording telling them that the line is busy please try again later.
This is a blatant scam.
Please be advised I am notifying Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs and I'm posting this message on the internet as well to warn everyone about your deceptive business practices. And finally also be advised that RealNetworks, Inc. Does NOT have my permission to charge my credit card any subscription fees.
STOP scamming people with this free trial business just to get their credit card numbers you thieves.
Michelle
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
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