Vonage ripoff, dishonest, fraudulent billing, unethical Internet

I signed up for Vonage VOIP phone service by calling a representative. The Rep assigned me what he called a temporary number which was not a local number for me, and assured me that Vonage was "very aggressive" in aquiring numbers for transfer, and that if my number could not be transfered, I could cancel service within 30 days, and all charges would be refunded.

I recieved the router device promptly, and set up service with no problems. I made 2 or 3 test calls, then waited for the number transfer to take effect before I began using the service. There was no contact from Vonage for several weeks, so I called to check on the transfer. I was told that my number could not be transfered, and that they could not provide me with a local number, so I requested that my service be cancelled. This was well within the 30 day time frame, 21 days to be exact.

10 days later I was billed for monthly service, when I saw the charge I called Vonage again to inquire as to the status of my cancellation. They said the account was still active, though they did show a record of the call I placed to cancel the account, and they again said they would cancel the account and send a return authorization for the router. I did recieve the R/A and mailed their device back.

Two months later, and two more calls with several hours on hold in total, account still active at each call, and two more charges to my credit card, and no refund. Now they are claiming I did not cancel within the 30 days. A Google search shows numerous people in the exact same situation with Vonage, this appears to be part of Vonage's business model, ripping off customers by promising service they cannot ptrovide, then making it nearly impossible to get the refund they promise.

James
Circleville, Ohio
U.S.A.