MetroFax Bought by J2 Global Communications J2 buys Metrofax, service deteriorates; refuses to refund Hollywood California

 I discovered that J2 bought MetroFax when I started having problems receiving and sending faxes.  There was a new interface that was almost counter-intuitive.  There were delays in sending and confirming sends; one important fax was rejected. When I complained, I learned that MetroFax was no longer MetroFax. 

My previous fax service was EFax -- which I left because service deteriorated -- and signed up with MetroFax.  While researching, I learned that J2 bought EFax and EFax bought MetroFax ... AHA! 

I decided to change Fax services. When I tried to port out my number I was told that MetroFax owned it and would not transfer it. 

Unlike all of my other "automatic" payments, I did not receive a notice of any kind from MetroFax that it was going to "automatically" charge my account.  I never signed or authorized any access to my MetroFax account after J2/Efax took over.  J2/Efax did not send any notice that it was "assuming" that further use of the MetroFax account constituted an "agreement" to form a contract with J2/Efax.  J2/Efax also never gave notice that it was "assuming" I agreed to its Terms of Service "effective December 1, 2013" nor did it send a copy by snail mail, email, or .... FAX!

Today, my credit card was hit with an annual charge from MetroFax.  I immediately logged on MetroFax and requested "live" chat -- after about 20 minutes, I called customer service.  Nice young man, very pleasant, canceled the account for me. When I asked about refunding the payment, he said that no refunds were permitted after a charge was made. I  told him I understood that he had to follow his instructions but that I was going to challenge the charge with my bank ... and spread the word about J2/EFax/MetroFax.