I was on a site that had song lyrics and I saw a link that offered the song I was looking at in a complimentary ringtone. I clicked the link and was brought to a page had three steps on it. Select your mobile provider was first, and then enter your mobile number was second, and third was "Enjoy your Ringtone". But as soon as I entered my mobile number I was sent a text message that had my "Pin" number. I'm still thinking I'm getting a free ringtone, so I enter the code into the box and bam, it tells me that I have subscribed to Dada.net and I'm going to be charged 9.99 a month.
I immediately go to the live chat feature and ask why was I being charged 9.99 a month for a free ringtone.
He comes back with the T&C's state that dada is a subscription service and they do not offer free ringtones.
Only after I got upset, did he offer a refund. Of course, I have to pay the 9.99 and wait 2 weeks for a 9.99 check to be mailed to me.
This is a total scam. Do not fall for the free ringtone bit. I didn't think anyone could charge me with just my cell phone number but obviously they can.
This is fraud in my opinion. I didn't even get my free dang ringtone!
Here is a copy of the chat with the Dada rep:
Preston George
Welcome to Dada.net U.S. Chat Customer Support. This is Preston George. How may I assist you today?
Joy
I was on a website and it had a link for a free ringtone so I clicked it. Next thing I know, I'm on this site and it says I have 25 credits and I think I'm being charged 9.99 a month. I really don't know what is going on.
Preston George
Please confirm if your mobile# is XXX-XXX-XXXX?
Joy
yes, that's it.
Preston George
Thank you.
Preston George
I can see that you have an active subscription with Dada.net.
Preston George
I would like to inform you that dada.net does not offer free ringtones.
Preston George
Each month you will be billed $9.99 as a subscriber to the Dada.net service and your subscription will continue until you cancel your subscription.
Joy
I wasn't intending on activating a subcription, I thought the steps I was taking was going to a free ringtone.
Joy
So if I cancel now, am I being charged the 9.99 even though I haven't used the service?
Preston George
Yes, it is because dada.net charges the customer as soon as they subscribed.
Joy
You have some scam going on here. So I click a link that says "free ringtone" and it leads me to your site and I'm being charged 9.99?
Preston George
There is no scam here, when you get subscribed then you need to click on the check box stating 'Terms and conditions'.
Preston George
Those terms and conditions clearly states that dada.net is a paid subscription service.
Joy
Then why would the link say "free ringtone"? It is a scam. I did not use this service. I registered under false pretenses. I do not want my phone service charged 9.99.
Preston George
All I can do is to cancel your subscription and escalate your refund request to our billing department.
Preston George
Do you want me to go ahead with that?
Joy
Then escalate it to the point that I'm not charged anything. I will be filing a complaint against this site as soon as I'm done here. You cannot offer a free item then not only not provide that free item, but then charge a person 9.99 on top of it.
Preston George
I would request you to provide me your full name (first &last name), mailing address and your email address so I may forward your request to the concerned department.
0 comments