Complaint Review: AOL America On Line Service

I bought a new Gateway computer in February 2001, which came with 1 free years service of AOL. At the time of purchase they asked for a credit card number to charge the monthly fee of $23.90 after the first year. I gave them my credit card number - MISTAKE.

I needed to use Bellsouth Internet service for practical reasons beginning in June of 2002. I went on line to AOL and emailed them to cancel my AOL service as I wasn't using it and had gone over to another provider. I never heard from them.

Again I went on line in November 2002 requesting them to cancel my email service as I was using another, again no response. The "COCKY" representative asked me if I read my AOL agreement at the time of purchase and that it says you can only cancel your AOL service verbally, not via email. I asked him how many people did he really think read all of that garbled fine print?

I received my credit card bill in February 2003 and am being charged for a service that I haven't had since May 2002. I couldn't even remember my Login name or password.

After calling four (4) different telephone numbers to get the account cancelled, I am told that YOU can only cancel your AOL service over the telephone, not by email. Yet in all of AOL's ads they request that you contact them via email, because it is supposed to be easier and more efficient. I was told when cancelling that I would not be given credit for the $23.90 or any portion of it. AOL does not prorate their billing, you are billed for the entire month.

I am sure that if GATEWAY Computers knew how AOL was scamming people, that they would think twice before letting AOL be affiliated with them.

Susan
Brandon, Mississippi
U.S.A.