- Report: #199137
Complaint Review: InPhonic Wirefly - Washington District of Columbia
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InPhonic Wirefly
1010 Wisoncisn Ave., NW, Suite 600 Washington, 20007 District of Columbia, U.S.A.
Phone:
202-333-0001
Web:
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InPhonic, Wirefly, a wireless phone marketer, is being sued by DC's Attorney General because of a deluge of consumer complaints regarding rebates, etc. Consumers from ANY state can send complaint to AG. Washington District of Columbia
I have been denied my cell phone rebate by InPhonic/Wirefly just like everyone here and was given the same excuses. I would like everyone here to know about this lawsuit and give this Attorney General your own information/complaint. I've already talked with their office and sent them my information. I posted my rip-off report on this site on 6/28/06, and posted a "Rebuttal" ("Consumer Suggestion") to a 6/29/06 post by "Steve" in Louisville, where I gave more information about my call with the AG's office. Please read that one too because it contains information not on this posting.
The District of Columbia Attorney General has jurisdiction over InPhonic because InPhonic's corporate office is located in DC.
NOTE: This lawsuit is NOT limited to complainants living in the District of Columbia. The AG's office is accepting complaints from anyone from ANY STATE. But you have to send them your complaint to be included. Everyone, please, please do this ASAP. The more complaints they receive (not just from the District of Columbia, but EVERYWHERE), the stronger their case will be against InPhonic. We cannot allow InPhonic to continue to get away with ripping all of us off as (according to what I've read here), they have obviously been doing to people all over the country.
(BELOW IS THE PRESS RELEASE AS IT APPEARED ON THE AG'S WEBSITE):
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Press Release for Immediate Release
June 08, 2006
DC's AG Sues Popular Wireless Marketer
Washington, DC - Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti announced today that the District has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against InPhonic, Inc., ("InPhonic") -- a DC based business that sells wireless phones and plans to consumers across the country. The District alleges that InPhonic fails to clearly disclose how difficult it is for consumers to meet its rebate conditions and that many consumers are unable to obtain promised savings.
In its ads, InPhonic claims its rebates will provide substantial savings to consumers who purchase wireless phones and plans, including wireless plans for Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA. InPhonic also advertised plans through various websites, including InPhonic, Liberty Wireless and WIREFLY.
The lawsuit alleges that InPhonic imposes restrictive conditions on the rebates that prevent many consumers from receiving the promised savings. The lawsuit also asserts that InPhonic is unreasonable in its enforcement of the rebate terms and fails to adequately disclose charges that it automatically assesses against consumers who switch their rate plan, fail to maintain their accounts in good standing for 180 days, or return defective equipment.
"A company needs to let consumers know up-front about special conditions that make it difficult to obtain advertised savings or to avoid hidden charges. Consumers should be able to count on the bargains that companies offer them." said General Spagnoletti.
In many of its rebate offers, InPhonic requires consumers to assemble a variety of documentation and forms for their submissions, including proof that they have maintained service for a period of 150 to 180 days. However, consumers only have a 30 day window in which to submit their claims, which must be received by InPhonic "no earlier than 180 days and no later than 210 days after [the consumer's] account is activated." Consumers also complained that they have either been unable to get through to InPhonic's customer service representatives or have been unable to obtain assistance from these representatives, in their attempts to understand and comply with the rebate requirements.
The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Washington DC ("BBB") reports that it has received 2071 complaints about the company in the last 36 months. In November 2005 the BBB gave InPhonic an unsatisfactory rating.
The lawsuit, filed in DC Superior Court, seeks a permanent injunction to stop the company's misleading practices. It also seeks restitution for consumers, civil penalties, costs and fees. Consumers with questions about this action can call OAG's consumer protection hotline at 202-442-9828 or file a complaint online at: www.oag.dc.gov .
Jana
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on InPhonic
The District of Columbia Attorney General has jurisdiction over InPhonic because InPhonic's corporate office is located in DC.
NOTE: This lawsuit is NOT limited to complainants living in the District of Columbia. The AG's office is accepting complaints from anyone from ANY STATE. But you have to send them your complaint to be included. Everyone, please, please do this ASAP. The more complaints they receive (not just from the District of Columbia, but EVERYWHERE), the stronger their case will be against InPhonic. We cannot allow InPhonic to continue to get away with ripping all of us off as (according to what I've read here), they have obviously been doing to people all over the country.
(BELOW IS THE PRESS RELEASE AS IT APPEARED ON THE AG'S WEBSITE):
************************************
Press Release for Immediate Release
June 08, 2006
DC's AG Sues Popular Wireless Marketer
Washington, DC - Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti announced today that the District has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against InPhonic, Inc., ("InPhonic") -- a DC based business that sells wireless phones and plans to consumers across the country. The District alleges that InPhonic fails to clearly disclose how difficult it is for consumers to meet its rebate conditions and that many consumers are unable to obtain promised savings.
In its ads, InPhonic claims its rebates will provide substantial savings to consumers who purchase wireless phones and plans, including wireless plans for Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA. InPhonic also advertised plans through various websites, including InPhonic, Liberty Wireless and WIREFLY.
The lawsuit alleges that InPhonic imposes restrictive conditions on the rebates that prevent many consumers from receiving the promised savings. The lawsuit also asserts that InPhonic is unreasonable in its enforcement of the rebate terms and fails to adequately disclose charges that it automatically assesses against consumers who switch their rate plan, fail to maintain their accounts in good standing for 180 days, or return defective equipment.
"A company needs to let consumers know up-front about special conditions that make it difficult to obtain advertised savings or to avoid hidden charges. Consumers should be able to count on the bargains that companies offer them." said General Spagnoletti.
In many of its rebate offers, InPhonic requires consumers to assemble a variety of documentation and forms for their submissions, including proof that they have maintained service for a period of 150 to 180 days. However, consumers only have a 30 day window in which to submit their claims, which must be received by InPhonic "no earlier than 180 days and no later than 210 days after [the consumer's] account is activated." Consumers also complained that they have either been unable to get through to InPhonic's customer service representatives or have been unable to obtain assistance from these representatives, in their attempts to understand and comply with the rebate requirements.
The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Washington DC ("BBB") reports that it has received 2071 complaints about the company in the last 36 months. In November 2005 the BBB gave InPhonic an unsatisfactory rating.
The lawsuit, filed in DC Superior Court, seeks a permanent injunction to stop the company's misleading practices. It also seeks restitution for consumers, civil penalties, costs and fees. Consumers with questions about this action can call OAG's consumer protection hotline at 202-442-9828 or file a complaint online at: www.oag.dc.gov .
Jana
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on InPhonic
