America On Line Ripoff fraudulent credit card charges after cancellation of service Jacksonville Florida

On July 12, 2004 I received my credit card statement and found a charge from AOL for $23.90. Since I subscribe to AOL for Broadband and pay $54.95 each month I called the company. I told them I don't need a dial up service and to cancel this account. I had bought a new computer 6 months prior and received 6 months free service. I forgot about it til my credit card was charged.

The CSR I spoke with said that for some reason he could not close the account that day and I would receive a letter in the mail, that I should fill out and fax back before the 18th of August. He also said he could offer me 1 month free service on my broadband account, which I assumed meant at the going rate of $54.95.

I got the letter, filled it out, faxed it into the company on August 18, 2004. My credit card statement arrived again and there was another charge for $23.90 on August 20, 2004-two days after I faxed in the cancellation. Now I'm hot, and called the company again. I also did not receive a free month of service on my broadband and was charged $31.05 for that month of usage.

THIS IS THE LETTER I SENT TO AOL!

This letter is sent pursuant to a conversation I had with one of your supervisors and a CSR today. I called upon receipt of my credit card bill showing another AOL charge for $23.90 after I called and faxed a cancellation into your company.
THESE ARE THE FACTS:

On July 12th I received my credit card bill which showed a charge for $23.90 from AOL. Since I subsribe to AOL for Broadband thru my cable company and pay $54.95 each month there was no reason to also have this other account which was offered to me.

The CSR I spoke with on July 12th gave me some song and dance about how he couldn't cancel the account that day, but he could offer me a free month of service on my broadband connection. Which by the way I did not receive, since I was charged for that in the amount of $31.05 on August 7th on another credit card.

The attached letter is a copy of what I received in the mail, instructing me to send or fax the cancellation by August 18, 2004, which I did. It was faxed on the 18th, two days prior to the next charge on my credit card dated August 20, 2004.

When I called today (9/10/04) to find out why I was charged again for an account I cancelled I was told it could not be reversed and that I had agreed to it. After speaking with the supervisor it became clear your company is disreputable and your tactics underhanded to say the least.

I have decided to cancel all my dealing with AOL, including my broadband service, Voice Mail, and long distance service. I have been a customer of AOL for many years even when your dial up service was pathetic to say the least. I have been a TALK AMERICA long distance customer for several years even after you changed the billing from 5 Cents a minute to whatever it is now.

Under no circumstances is your company to put through any charges to my credit cards on file. I am forwarding this letter and all supporting documents to my credit card companies and the appropriate authorities who govern your shady business practices.
END OF LETTER

THE SUPERVISOR I SPOKE WITH MAY THINK HE WON THE FIGHT-BUT HE LOST THE WAR AND IF AOL CONTINUES WITH IT'S SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICES THE FCC WILL MOST SURELY BE REQUIRED TO GET INVOLVED.

BUYER BEWARE! THERE ARE OTHER GOOD ISP'S OUT THERE, AOL IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

Laraine
Shreveport, Louisiana
U.S.A.