I purchased my adapter from Best Buy and I signed up quite a while ago with a package that did not require a contract and at that time there was no "termination fee" for a non-contract service (yes, I read the terms and, no, I did not have to click a service term), which is why I chose it and to pay the higher rates. After making 5 calls in about 2 years, I decided to cancel the service ($32/month after all the nickle and dime fees added $7/month).
I called and the rep I spoke with, Maria #55771, which seems to be a common name they give, said that I would be charged a $40 cancellation fee because during the time I have had my service they had changed their policy to charge this fee to all accounts. Maria, who refuses to give her last name (another shady practice) refused to give me to a supervisor. She insisted I would be charged the fee and that it was for equipment. I explained that I purchased my equipment from a retailer and installed it myself, so the fee doesn't apply, especially since I had no contract.
After about 30 minutes of back and forth where I told her that if they tried to charge my account I would file complaints everywhere I could and pursue it through my bank as fraudulent and also through the FCRA/FDCA I told her to cancel it. I immediately informed my bank not to process any charges from Vonage since they were unauthorized. Plus, since I had just changed banks they did not have my correct card. I immediately got an email that they could not successfully charge my account.
Before the "you ripped off a company and now we have to pay more" whiners open their mouths on here, actually read my post that I never selected a service term and never agreed to an commitment/contract, which is why I had higher rates. Additionally, the blanket policy they quote was added after my service had started and since I never had to be redirected to accept the new policy (like most scrupulous companies make you do online etc.) they had no valid claim of a contract breach.
I have since reported to the BBB, Attorney General's Office, Angie's List, here and then if they try to pursue it or screw up my credit with collections I will 100% pursue them legally for 1) fraudulently trying to charge my account (they cannot produce any sort of signed contract) and 2) violating the FCRA so their fines and attorney fees will far outweigh the $40 they hope to collect. The nice thing is I can do it economically with prepaid legal and using the small claims court — they will have to send attorneys to my jurisdiction (very costly) and/or forfeit the case where I will automatically win a judgement — too many companies prey on people who don't have the time or will to fight them back, but I am not one of those.
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