Budget Mobile lifeline Budget PrePay, Inc Budget Mobile lifeline is defrauding the government and it's customers. Bossier City, Louisiana

In October 2012 I recieved my lifeline cell (OBAMA PHONE) phone. The phone didn't work, it was a used blackberry. I called the company and told them about it and they said they had to trouble shoot it. Days went by and I didn't hear anything from them so I called back and asked for a supervisor. They said the supervisor hadn't made it into work yet but they would have him call me within 48 hours. No one ever called back. I called back many more times and they just hung up on me when they learned what my lifeline number was. 

After a month and a half went by of calling every couple of days they told me I would have to send back the phone at my expense and pay $20 to get another phone. Again I asked to speak with a supervisor and again I recieved an excuse why I could not.

Finally I told them I was filing a complaint with the FCC and it was then that they put someone who claimed to be a supervisor on the line, he told me they would send me another phone. After waiting several weeks I called them back to ask where the phone was and they told me it would be mailed out on the 14th of Dec, 2012. On the 28th of Dec I called and they told me it had been mailed on the 14th and it takes about 15 days to arrive. As of today I still haven't recieved the phone and as such have not had any service since October 2012. They are still billing the government for a service I don't have, which is fraud 

I have gone to their forum and have learned that I am not the only one complaining about this.

on 03-28-2012 I sent as direted by Budget $20.00 by USPS Money order to get a new phone.  I never received it at Tickfaw, La 70466,  Now that I  have been able to go online your site says my account is inactive.  Did Budget receive my Money order?
July 18, 2012 11:20

My name is william  and i would like to know when i can look to recieve my phone, it was said that it was mailed out on July 24, 2012.  So how long before i should look for my phone.
July 26, 2012 11:42

Melissa

Jason
I would like to say that I never in all my years have had 1 company with several different depts, all tell me a different story about sending my phone. It started in August and now after being lied to for sometime and still waiting on the phone, I was told today it was shipped out on 9-12012 and could be another 7-30 days before I get it. All I want to say is that your whole comapny really needs to be on the same pages. I have emails online support and customer service all with different sotries about when the phone was shipped and thew amount of time I have to STILL wait. I can't even go locally to get a phone cause they tell me I already have an account with you BUT no phone........This was and is the worst problem I have ever had with any phone service companies..................And you all claim to be great at customer service and helping people. Well I must say in my case this has been a nightmare!! And if I don't get this phone that supposely shipped all different dates, I would think the phone should have been here already. Also was told if I don't get it to call and then I can pay $20 for a new one? Are you kidding me, Now I may have to pay even though I never got the phone to date?
October 11, 2012 10:32

melissa
I had the same problem with a replacement phone I had paid for I made a money order in June 2012 and to this date I have not received my phone and here it is October 2012 .I called every week and they kept telling me it was going to be shipped out come to find out they only ship phones out on Wednesdays now they telling me it was shipped on the 17th of this month so now I have to play the waiting game I wonder if I owed money to them if they would be so understanding
October 23, 2012 06:53

Tammy
I sent the information requested, they said 10 days my phone would be here and i'm still waiting.
October 31, 2012 11:27

james
i order min like 3 weeks ago and havent got a phone or a paper saying i was denied November 15, 2012 12:56

Woodtracy51
still have not got my replacement phone
 November 24, 2012 19:49

Katrina
Waiting for my phone or pretty much anything from them saying I was either denied or will be getting a phone. Someone up thread stated something about sending in $20.00. For what, I am wondering? I thought these were FREE phones for low income people/families? What is the deal with this company? I want some answers, or I will go to the BBB and start asking questions there instead. 
December 03, 2012 21:39

krista 
I hate waiting 15 business days for my phone to get delivered. I know people who have walked right out of stores with them after only 5 minutes. If I had known this I never would've dealt with Budget.
December 07, 2012 12:10

David
This company has got to have the worst customer service ever.  We shouldn't have to put up with this just because we are using a federal program to receive service.  The complaints I'm reading on this forum seem typical for Budget Mobile.  If we want this customer abuse to end, start filing complaints to the Universal Service Administrative Company.  They are the go between the FCC and this despicable mobile phone company that is paid to extend the Lifeline program.   To file an official complaint go to http://www.usac.org/about/tools/contact/lifeline-issues.aspx
 
Good luck to all.  Remember- This company is paid to extend service to you rather your service is working, or if your junky phone doesn't work.  The real way to get the service you qualify for is unfortunately, by filing a formal complaint via the link above.  For more information about the Lifeline program, visit http://www.usac.org/default.aspx
 
If you would want to show a stronger support by combining complaints, email me ( Dave ) at    Leave your name and contact preference, and I'll get in touch with you ASAP.
December 08, 2012 19:02

Bernadette 
My Phone was cut off without notice so that you could send me a new one that I paid for in early Nov..... Well I  hope you never end up at the mercy of this company. The gull of leaving disabled people phoneless for 10 or 20 days. A month and a half  after sending my check that is pitiful you sure did not waste time cashing it. But the PHONE still is not  Here ! Get your Asses In Gear! B. December 17, 2012 14:35

Rosalie
it has sure took long enough to get my phone have not received it as of yetDecember 25, 2012 22:16

These comments come from their forum, I have deleted last names and other personal info.

This company need to stop ripping off the government and the people who need the lifeline service