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Magic Jack Complaints & Reviews - Fraud and scam |
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Magic Jack |
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Fraud and scam
Complaint Rating: 
Company information:
Magic Jack
United States
magicjack.com
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Lets start off by saying Please save yourself the head ache DON'T BUY this product. The entire infomercial looks and sounds great but they don't tell you upfront is that its really not a 30 day trial but rather a 15 day trial cause after 15 days they charge your credit card like they did mine.
They don't tell you that if you ever have a problem you WILL NEVER speak to a live representative, cause the company does not have a telephone.
They don't tell you that they are going to redistribute your personal information to other customers in their database like they did mine
They don't tell you that if you wish to send your product back it will take them 45 days to issue you a refund.
They don't tell you up front that in order to have 24/7 phone access your computer can not go into hibernation or be shut off, imagine if you have an emergency at night time when your computer is usually off and don't have access to a phone, ? or if you have a burglar and need to contact the police?
When you do call 911 they don't tell you that your actually speaking with a internet computer and not that of your local police department which by the way you have to be sure you give them all kinds of information Home address, name, phone #, etc) before they even dispatch anyone out to your home.(I don't know about you guys but I have small children, who are to young to memorize this information, and trust them to know that in a hectic situation/emergency they are going to be able to assist this internet operator to get some help in time? I mean what if something ever happened to mommy or daddy and they needed the police but didn't know the information because their to young 5, yrs old?
They don't tell you that you can not make any phone calls that require you to input #s such as if you call your bank and have to input your ss# good luck because every number you press is multiplied by 2 try inputing your account # ssi# or anything that is requiring verification data of you, sorry you can't so if the company your calling does not have a customer service rep wgile peek hours your out of luck.
They don't tell you that you have to dial your area code to make phone calls within your own city, so to call your next door neighbor you must first dial your area code.
They don't tell you that you can not be on your computer doing work because every time someone in your house picks up the phone or a call comes in a box pops up which you have to minimize, and yes you have to minimize it for every call going out or coming in, trust me its a pain especially when your spouse work is done primarily on the pc, try writing a word, power point, excel, while every 10 seconds you have a box popping up on your working screen, now you can take care of this problem by simply unplugging your phone, thus eliminating anyone in the home using the phone, or receiving calls, but hey at least you get your work done without any annoying boxes interrupting you.
They don't tell you that once you connect the magic jack to your computer, your going to be using up your systems resources, & have to update all your pc's direct x functions, so if your not a computer garu your in trouble, or you can just call their tech support and speak with someone who can walk you through the process... oh no wait sorry they have no live person you can talk to if you need any customer assistance or tech support you have to go online and chat with them. by the way good luck getting someone to log in to the chat area to assist you, lets just say that if its less then 2 minutes your one of the lucky ones.
I don't know about you folks but I wish someone would of told me all this before I spent my time and money buying this product cause now the end result is that I have no product as i sent them back and I have no money cause they have yet to date to issue a refund, and I cant speak with no one cause oh yeah there's no phone # to call the company, corporate or either wise. In closing i hope i was able to save someone the ordeal and head aches I have gone through with this company, I just hope I get my money back, I'll keep trying its now been 18 days and counting since I spoke, sorry chatted with a customer service rep. If you do purchase this product I wish you all the luck, but I'm sure I will be reading more posts about this great $20 a year phone service, I guess its true what my dad always told me if something sounds to good to be true 9 out of 10 times it usually is.-Iaz Family, Las Vegas Nv Good luck!
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 United States |
 Computers & Accessories |
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| I have Vonage and it has a lot of good features. Pretty reasonable to. Because of my wife and kids having cell phones we rarely use the home phone. I was looking for something even cheaper than Vonage. I have seen the MagicJack commercial numerous times and was going to give it a try. Steve, like any new product you will have complaints. I read several, but was still interested in purchasing. But after reading ALL that you have been through, I wouldn't touch this product if the gave it to me with free service. I thank you for this post and you have by far been through more than any other consumer being scammed by TragicJack. Guess I will be sticking with Vonage a little longer. |
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Everything you have said deals with hypothetical situations and personal preferences. Don't bash this product because you are picky and pompous. The product works amazing, the audio quality is amazing... YOU CAN minimize the box to tray and the only thing that pops up is the caller ID, here is a crazy idea... its 2008 get a network and dont install it on your primary PC if the caller ID distracts you that much... and really if a pop up bothers you to the point to deny savings of hundreds of dollars a year you need to seek help.
20 bones a year, clear communication, a solid product. Everything works great, I called my banks automated teller just to test your theory and maybe you suck at pressing numbers but I entered my SS, account # and security code from the phone with no problems.
If you don't want to use the product, that is fine stick with your 30 bones a month for VOIP, but I will be paying 20 a year for everything you have. Oh and they do have live support on the webpage.
I'm guessing you are a liberal, because almost nothing you said was true. |
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I purchase a majic Jack from a commerial on T.V. everything sounded very good and the price was execellent and also the 30day trial just blew me away.
When I receive the product in the mail I installed it very easy to my computer and it worked, but with bad reception and it slowed my computer down.
also they billed my account within 15 days with a c harge that wasn't correct stated to me.
also within another 15 days they billed my account again, , that's over a $150.00
they tried again the 3rd time so I changed my ac count information and they was unsucessful on the 3rd attempt.
this company is a scram and I advice anyone not to purchase this product because they take money out your account within giving you an invoice in the mail or anything.
There were never an invoice sent with the product stating exactly how much you were being charged, , so they take what they want out your account.
This company is an rip off, , so don't purchase the product, , all the complaint are correct.I had to change my account to keep them from taking more money. |
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| Hello, We are thinking about getting this magicjack, and I went on BBB and did some research, Here is a live Person you can talk with at the Corporate Head Quarters of MagicJack Peter Russo 1-561-722-0433, Address is 5700 Georgia Ave. West Palm Beach, Florida 33405 |
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| I also called, Peter Russo and He was very nice and pleasant to talk with considering I called him at 8 in the morning. (Sorry), My husband is a VOIP engineer, and He said he was going to check this out, and I will cancel within a week so I won't get charged, just to play it safe. So I will be commenting again, after my hubby says yeah, or Ney. |
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| My brother purchased the magic jack and the reception is really a coin toss. Sometimes the reception was ok, sometimes really bad, but never clear 100% of the time. Sometimes he would have to hang up and dial the call again to try and get better reception. |
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Dec 12 I looked into ordering this item. I went to the company website and went through the process of placing my order. I followed each step which took me to their check out page. I was scanning down the page checking everything to make sure it was correct and had gotten about 1/3 of the way down the page and had not clicked on anything while doing this when suddenly the page was redirected to one that informed me that my order was processed and I would get a confirmation email. I want to repeat, I did not click any button/link to complete the order. this was a checkout page with multiple options for upgrading and changing. After navigating through two layers faqs I finally found a link to a chat room for customer service. I was frustrated with the checkout page and decided I wanted to cancel. I told the customer service rep that I wanted to cancel my order and they told me I had to come back in two hours to do that. I could not because I needed to leave for work so I asked for their customer service number so I could call from work (where I do not have internet access) to insure the order is canceled.
this is a transcript of that portion of the conversation:
David: I do not have any email from your company
David: I would like the customer service phone number please
Harry: It will only be stated in your email confirmation David, why you want to
call? you are not satisfied of my honest answeres
David: you are required by federal law to provide a phone number if you take my
credit card number. your firm has my credit card number. I demand you disclose a
contact phone number for your firm imediately!
Harry: Thank you for your patience. I will transfer you to a higher level of
support. Please hold while I transfer you.
Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.
You are now chatting with 'Paul'
Paul: Hello there. This is Paul. Your Higher Level of Support and I will be
assisting you with your concern. Please do give me an ample time to have a
moment reviewing your chat session with the previous operator/s. Thank You.
[13 minutes later]
David: I need to leave for work in 2 minutes. I require your customer service
number as I will not have internet access for the next 12 hours
Paul: We use Tech Chat to better assist you. By using Tech Chat, we can send you
instant upgrade links and run several diagnostic tests, that cannot be done over the
telephone. We are also able to see where you are located, what OS and Internet
browser you are using. Lastly we can see that your Internet connection is working
too.This will provide the best Customer care experience and keep you most
satified.
David: I require your customer service phone number now. I need to leave for
work now
Paul: I am sorry David but we only do support over this chat. You can visit us
again later on your most convenient time so that we can assist you.
David: it is a violation of federal law to request and accept a credit card number
and then refuse to provide a contact phone number.
David: I demand your corporate phone number and the legal address of your
corporate headquarters
David: It does not take 15 minutes to look up a phone number
David: I am late for work
Paul: I am very sorry but we are not allowed to give such information. And we
only do support over this chat.
David: you are in violation of federal law
David: your webside illegally took my credit card information
David: give me a phone number for your company or I will file a criminal
complaint
David: I will contact visa to inform them you are violating their policies
David: and I will complain to my bank
Paul: David, since you have just ordered less than an hour, I would advice that
you visit our Live Chat again later to ensure that your order wen through and
within 2-4 hours, you will also be receiving the Confirmation Email from what
you have ordered.
David: your phone number! now
as you can see, no amount of threatening will convince them to give up a phone number despite the fact that FTC regulations require anyone billing a credit card to provide a contact phone number.
our conversation continutes:
David: I sugest you connect me to your superior
Paul: I am sorry but only us supervisors are the last chat you can be connected to.
We are located here in West Palm Beach, Florida.
David: I now have to assume it is your intent to commit credit card fraud sinse
you refuse to provide information I am entitled to by federal law
David: West palm beach is not a legal address. I require your street address and
the legal name of your company or the company name that will show on my
statement
Paul: Okay. Here it is:
Paul: magicJack LP
Paul: PO Box 6846
Paul: West Palm Beach, FL 33405
I was unable to get them to provide any phone number or street address.
after doing some research on the internet I found the following:
Primary Phone: (561) 594-2140
Primary Fax:
Primary Contact: Peter Russo, CFO
If you call the above number you will only get a recording which goes on to insist that the only method of customer service contact is via their web site.
Then at the end it finally gives a phone number which they say is answered between 11am and 8pm m-f. That number is: 281 404 1551
But when I called it at 1:15 pm monday I got a recording from the phone company informing me the number is not in service.
It is never safe when a company refuses to provide a contact number.
a few hours later I finally got an email from Magic Jack. It informed me of the details of the order that I did not place. Despite Harry's insisntance that a billing number would be included in the email there was no such number. again, illegal.
I contacted them via their tech chat and after going through a few more hoops I finally got them to cancel this order.
This evening I have done some additional research and found that this company had more than 600 complaints to the BBB as of a year ago. They currently are rated an "F" by the BBB.
Any company whose website jumps the gun and completes the order process while you are still reviewing their check-out page is not to be trusted.
Any company that does not provide a contact telephone number is not to be trusted.
I cannot speak to the experience of the orifinal complaint on this page but I can confirm with my own experience that something is amiss. |
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| I am getting ready to go my lawer on monday about magickjack how they ignored a police report and rep acted like he was above the law see my story on google or email me and I will tell you. I dont want no family to be sacred like mine has been of magicjack anyone who is interested in having my lawer contact them about what magicjack has done to them plz contact me I have a team of 115 lawers |
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it is clearly a scam since the commercial says that i don't have to pay for anything to try out and won't be even charged on my credit card for trying, i end up paying for return shipping for trying it out and have to get the refund that should never be even charged.
being misled is perhaps the customers' responsibility. however, making you to pay something even for a little amount when it's supposed to be nothing is not misleading but a lie. |
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I use MJ exclusively for my business calls (between 4 and 6 hours pere day on the phone long distance), and it works just fine - speaking of saving money!. In fact, it is hooked up to a 10 year old (formerly retired) wireless laptop that I use exclusively for this purpose - no other applications run on it. And to that computer (through MJ) is hooked a wireless phone. So it all functions properly, and the quality is not a problem.
So before you bash this product, consider this... You have been paying Ma Bell since the dawn of time - probably a minimum of $20-ish dollars a month for local service plus long distance for 3-10 cents per minute. Now you are offered a service for $20.00 per year including unlimited long distance. Did you expect it to be absolutely flawless? I'll tell you this...I was paying upward of $350.00 per month for my phone line, now its less than $2.00 per month...not bad.
Get you heads out of the sand! It is what it is, and if you hook things up properly, you'll have no problems and you'll get what you paid for. |
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I have been using magic jack for over 1 year now and could not pass up the opportunity to respond to your complaint about the product. When I first saw the informmercial advertising magic jack, I like any normal person, was skeptical about the product. I figured I had 30days to try it before they would bill me so I decided to give it a try. The only thing that was EVER charged to my credit card during that 30 days was a $1.00 authorization (hold) that they placed on my credit card during the trial period. I can say, I was 100% amazed at how easy it was to install the magic jack after I first got it. Plugged it in to the usb port on my computer, it installed itself, and I was making phone calls within 10 minutes.
Now as far as them taking 45 days to issue a refund, I would not know how long it takes as I have never had to send my product back. I can say from personal experience that most companies are horrible at refunding money to your credit card in a timely manner. I had Verizon over charge my credit card for $76.00 and it took them 38 days to credit the funds back. Enough said.
Now about having to keep your computer on all the time in order for the phone to work...WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?? The product states that it is ran by using the internet. I'm no rocket scientist, but that to me is pretty much letting you know if the product can not access the internet (or your computer is turned off) that you will not be able to use it. So what you have to keep your computer on all the time. I just turn my screen off at night and leave my computer running. My magic jack is the only home phone in my house and I have NEVER had a problem calling my bank account or any other number that requires me to input a string of numbers, so I don't know what your problem is. I have called 911 from my phone and had a perfect response time. I am a mother to 2 small children ages 7 & 3. My son has had a history of febril seizures and I have never had any issue contacting emergency personal. Yes, you need to make sure that your 911 address that you have listed with magic jack is correct but that is not a very big issue for me.
Next, yes, you do have to dial the area code when calling anybody, but I have to do that with my cell phone as well. It's 3 extra button pushes...I'm so over that.
Next, yes the little box that pops up on your computer screen anytime the phone is used does tend to get annoying at times, but you can use the feature minimize to tray and the only thing that will pop up is the caller ID.
Next, you are really upset that nobody told you that the magic jack was going to be using the system resources on your computer?? Are you kidding me?? If you plug your camera, mp3 player, etc. into the usb port on your computer it is going to use your system resources to run whatever has been plugged in. The only time I have ever experienced a bad connection or distorted audio on my magic jack is when I am trying to burn a cd/dvd using Nero. Other than that, the quality of calls is great. If you seem to have the system bogged down by the magic jack try installing or upgrading your RAM on your PC.
I can't say I have NEVER experienced a dropped call or an issue with some incomming calls, but I run the little "magic fix" program and everything seems to work fine after that. I honestly can say that I have experienced so many more dropped calls and issues with incomming calls on my cell phone that I have with the magic jack.
As far as I'm concerned, this product is amazing and has already saved me a ton of money on home phone service. If you are so picky and unhappy with the small little issues that you have had with it, fine, go back to your local company and get phone service from them for $30.00+ a month. I myself will be paying $20.00/year, (about $0.07/day) by using my magic jack. |
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I did an MJ trial in August '08 and had a terrible time with reception. My friends and I sounded like we were talking underwater! I held on for two and a half weeks, I was so determined to save money; however, communication was just impossible. (Btw, I was using a new laptop, w/lots of memory, processing speed, etc.)
I even went to the MJ website chat and diligently tried each unsuccessful suggestion. When nothing worked, I was told my problem would be forwarded to an advanced tech division and I would receive an email solution in a certain amount of hours. It is now nine months and I have yet to get that email. Luckily, I was able to get my money refunded in a reasonable amount of time.
The consensus seems to be that MJ has shady underpinnings and poor customer service. My experience has been an either ineffective, or non-existent tech response, and like David, an out-of-body interlude with my order processing... I recall that at the time I concluded I must have been distracted by TV or something because I didn't remember clicking any "submit" buttons for my order... Everything just jumped into the next step so naturally, I figured it must have been me... Hah!
Disappointing.
For those of you happily MJing with the computer-always-on challenge, I hear now that connecting MJs to "thin computer clients" that operate on minimal power is the way to go. This allows the main computer to be shut down while MJ runs 24/7. |
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| My girlfriend has a magicjack and all we've had is problems! I feel they should send us one every three weeks, cause the thing starts to crap out. WE've bought 3 in the past three months, and it eventually starts to have problems. Maybe that's the way magicjack makes it's money. Can anyone invent a great product? Something we can count on, it would be nice for a change. |
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| I've had no problems with the device, but their customer service is PATHETIC. I wish there was a stronger word!! |
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I agree with all the negatives about MagicJack. The only magic is that they continue to dupe people and no one seems to care (FCC) or any other gov't agency.
I believe they (MagicJack) is putting people at risk with their limited, very limited ability to serve as a legitimate phone service.
Once I installed this piece of sh**, I got all kinds of error messages, no phone service when PC is off or sleeping.
Not very good in case of emergency. No phone, no 911 availability. |
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| MagicJack sucks. It is a scam. Leaves you with no phone service once you logout of your PC |
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| We have had it for half a year and no problems whatsoever. It costs barely nothing, so stop complaining and get a life. |
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ok, so your complain makes alot of sense. I have been using MJ for a while now, it worked great for my family, but I guess thats because we dont fully count on it. We have 2 laptops, , and I have noticed that I personally dont even like to hook it up to my laptop, I always use the one thats not in use at that time. My worst part is when I have to stay close to the phone machine.
I have a friend who actually hooked his Magic jack number to his cellphone, so everytime someone calls him on his MJ, he recieves the call on the cell.! i should ask him how he did that! |
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Suckered in by the Magic Jack, I wish I found this website before purchasing this piece of crap lets say, everything the original poster said is correct. I am on my second jack, for the first few weeks it seemed to work nicely, though I have to say that the thought of leaving my computer running all day and night is ridiculous and so I don't.(it's dangerous b/c what if there is an emergency so I keep my cell handy always) Then it started, the pausing, the black outs of audio either I can't hear my party or they can't hear me. This went on for weeks I argured with about 5 customer service reps via chat, b/c there is no phone number to call. They kept telling me to repeat the same steps and I argued each time that I repeated these steps and NO IT"S NOT MY BRAND NEW DELL LAPTOP it's your jack . Is what I screamed at them. So finally they sent me a new Jack BTW I had to pay the shipping for it grrrr. And 20 mins into my phone call with a friend there came the pauses and either she couldn't hear me or I couldn't hear her.
As soon as I can I am going back to vonage I hate to but atleast I didn't have these audio problems, I am sending back both jacks and telling them to SHOVE IT !.
The old saying about Nothing good is Free??. SO folks don't waste your time I did and now I am out of my money !. |
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| Has anyone been a victim of credit card fraud using this device? My boyfriend and I have experienced this within a month apart. Our numbers were stolen. We assume that they were stolen off the internet. We noticed that magicjack doesn't work when we have up our firewall. Anyone experience the same? |
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