Menu
TracFone Wireless Customer Service Phone, Email, Contacts

TracFone Wireless
reviews & complaints

www.tracfone.com
www.tracfone.com

Learn how the rating is calculated

2.4 713 Reviews

TracFone Wireless Complaints Summary

246 Resolved
465 Unresolved
Our verdict: Engaging with TracFone Wireless, which has a below-average resolution rate, demands caution. Thoroughly assess their service reviews and explore how they handle unresolved complaints. If you encounter issues, document your experiences meticulously and be persistent in seeking resolutions.
Verified
The authenticity of the customer service contact information for TracFone Wireless has been meticulously verified by representatives from ComplaintsBoard using our proprietary verification system.
Click here to get notifications about new complaints of TracFone Wireless. We promise not to send you any unrelated messages
Share
Claim Your Business
Take control of your profile: address complaints and engage with reviews
Write a review
File a complaint

TracFone Wireless reviews & complaints 713

Filter reviews by rating
5
0 review
4
0 review
3
0 review
2
0 review
1
2 reviews
Sort by:

Newest TracFone Wireless reviews & complaints

ComplaintsBoard
M
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless Do not stand behind what they say

The bottom line of my complaint is that Tracfone would NOT stand behind what their customer service reps told me. And, because of it I was unable to port my phone number. Their Reps told me that I could transfer the minutes I had left on my Tracfone either before or after porting the number. So, once I (actually AT&T) started the process of "porting the number" I called Tracfone (second call where I was LIED to) and had the minutes transferred. Then when I tried to finish the port, Tracfone told me that since my phone was deactivated so they could not port the number. Two of their Reps lied and the "supervisor", that I asked to be transferred to, couldn't do a thing for me. Said I would have to buy more minutes and reactivate my phone. And, he actually said I would need a new sim's card! Reaching customer service is hard enough and I have yet to speak to one that has a "minimal" accent--I constantly ask them to please repeat what they have said and go slowly. There is so much background noise that it makes their accents even harder to understand. Tracfone has a HUGE customer service problem and should be avoided as an option for "pay as you go" cell use.

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 1 comment
Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
P
P
Playtex Soft cup Bra
LeRoy, US
Nov 30, 2008 3:03 pm EST

I called tracfone to get 20 birthday minutes and the guy would not give them to me. He said I had purchased the minutes at the wrong time. my birthday card said to purchase a 60 minute or larger...(I purchased a year plan) and to call by Nov. 30th...which I did. He would NOT give me a measly 20 minutes on my phone. Why do you send out these cards when you don't do what they say you will. I am getting fed up with TRACFONE! I think its a BAD outfit. Marjorie Mossyge

ComplaintsBoard
V
12:00 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

TracFone Wireless Service people call customers stupid and then hang up!

TracFone Nationwide Prepaid Wireless
www.tracfone.com

I had a Nokia TracFone. When I tried to extend the service date, I was informed that the phone was DEFECTIVE.

I phoned --- after being on hold for hours -- and was told I would receive a new phone. I was also told that I would be given the 70 minutes that were left on my defective phone as well as my old phone number. I DID receive the phone, but close to ZERO minutes and a new phone number. Also: I have to charge it EVERY DAY.

I phoned TracFone DOZENS of times and sent the company NUMEROUS e-mails.I received no response. Today, after TWO WEEKS, I finally reached TracFone. First, I talked to an "Astrid." When I asked her her employee number, she HUNG UP.

Then, I talked to a woman named Lidia who had problems spelling her own name and didn't understand much English. I told her I needed my phone today and she insisted on sending me a new phone. She gave me a Reference no. [protected] --- for a new phone although I said I needed to activate the other one TODAY.

When I asked for a supervisor, she said "you stupid" and then hung up. It is IMPOSSIBLE to reach these incompetents other than a toll-free number that is always busy.

These people are truly ### of the earth.

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 3 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
3 comments
Add a comment
K
K
Karen Edie
,
Mar 09, 2007 12:00 am EST

After purchasing an expensive year's plan with double minutes on purchased minutes additions, I discovered that they would not have activated the double minutes plan I had paid for had I not noticed that they had NOT activated it! I noticed after a month and a half into the "year" but they refused to extend the "year" saying it was from the date of when I had first gotten it instead of from when they actually activated it. It took days after my complaint for them to activate it. So I lost over a month and a half of a prepaid, expensive year of double minutes which I had to complain about EACH time to have them doubled. Egadz. You'd think they'd want to provide better customer service in order to keep going! My friends, relatives, patrons, etc., are looking for an alternative to this, what seemed a good company at the beginning. That is a lot of good customers this bad company will lose. And the word will continue to spread.

J
J
Julia
,
May 03, 2008 11:20 am EDT

I have used tracfone for over three years, and in that time my voice mail has never worked. I tried to get help via online tech support three times (that I can think of) and was either not issued a job number, or the complaint(s) just disappeared into the ether.

I have tried their customer and tech support by phone, and on both occasions, one not documented, and the last one documented, I was transferred to no less than two people who: recited almost verbatim the online voice mail set-up instructions, asked the same inane questions, put me on hold a minimum of 10 minutes, and finally, inexplicably disconnected my call.

I wasn't called stupid, at least, and most of the operators were unfailingly polite -- if woefully uninformed -- but I've also never had my issue resolved.

To me, it seems like a simple programming problem that could be handled in about five minutes, and involve less than two fingers applied to a computer keyboard. I mean, if the company can automatically load purchased minutes on my phone in a matter of seconds, surely they can just as easily unlock my voice mail.

I did receive an email reply back telling me:
"Our records indicate that your voicemail feature has been reset. Please
try to set up your voicemail by following the instructions below"...with the same online instructions. I tried it, and have the same.exact.problem.

I just laughed and laughed and laughed.

As soon as is possible, I'll be shopping around for a better cellular company.

T
T
TLS
Livingston, US
Sep 24, 2007 6:06 pm EDT

Same thing happened to me!

ComplaintsBoard
C
12:00 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
TracFone Wireless has left an official reply on this complaint.

TracFone Wireless Poor service!

After being Net10 customers for 2 years and regularly using 3 of their phones in our family, we bought a new phone for one family member and attempted to port the old Net10 number to the new phone. The SIM card sent didn't work, so we called customer service. Long story short, after they removed all the minutes from the old phone, they couldn't get the new phone to work so this family member was left with NO phone at all. 4 nights of endless calls to various countries, waiting on hold off/on for 1-1.5 hours each night, we were told several stories about when it would be fixed. first it was 3-4 days, then 24 hours now 5-10 days. We also got cut off every night at 9pm when their system shuts off and the shifts end. If you ask to speak to a supervisor, you really just get another rep in another country. I googled Net10, found it was owned by America Movil and Tracfone. I called the CEO of Tracfone in Miami directly then followed up with an email. He answered my email within 2 hours. Get in touch with him if you have problems. FJ (Frederick) Pollak, /phone number removed/ or [protected]@tracfone.com. He also copied in [protected]@tracfone.com (Mark Mahan) and [protected]@tracfone.com (VP Steve Ritter).

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 78 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.

Hide full review
78 comments
Add a comment
M
M
MiaNet
Medley, US
Sep 16, 2018 10:14 am EDT

Hi, CWebb. This is Mia from NET10 Wireless. We're sorry for the inconvenience. Should you need help with your phone. Please chat with us using this link http://bit.ly/2lHoBuo. For your convenience, our representatives are available Monday-Sunday from 8:00 AM to 11:45 PM EST. You may also text the key word HELP to 611611 to view our self-service menu with a list of help key words with valuable information.

Valerie
Valerie
, US
Oct 16, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Tracfone - www.tracfone.com

Here is the e-mail I sent to Tracfone:

After 3 attempts, I finally got through to a "service" rep. on 9/11/07. Could not hear her at all--too much background noise and she came through very quietly. This was the case on a friend's phone too. After 15 min on hold and 1 hr trying to hear the codes she was telling me to enter, the service rep told me my 824 minutes would transfer to my new phone within 15 minutes of my hanging up. If she could take care of it without my entering the codes, why did I spend 1 hr trying to hear her?--which was never successful. Codes were never accepted. Now I have lost the 824 min on my old phone and have 0 min on the new. THANKS FOR NOTHING! If I don't receive the minutes I paid for, I will pursue outside agencies (gov't, etc.) to advocate for me! You can also reach me on my Verizon cell (XXX-XXX-XXXX).

Here is the "helpful" reply from Tracfone: In order to better assist you, please contact one of our customer care representatives at [protected]. I actually tried again (crazy!) and spent 45 min in a computer loop holding/transferring and trying to get a person. The computer told me my cell phone was activated--end of story as far as Tracfone is concerned. The problem is I have ZERO minutes and I paid for a years worth of service and I'm supposed to have 824 minutes!

C
C
Chris Hebert
Manteca, US
Aug 02, 2011 9:42 pm EDT

Bought 2 cards to add minutes to my and my son's TracFone. The son's worked, but mine wouldn't credit my minutes after entering the code number. Called Trac-Fone, was told customer service representatives were busy with an estimated wait time of 15 minutes. 45 minutes later, I hung up, having burnt more than half of my son's new card. Went to their website: Unavailable due to maintenance. What a crock this company is.

Chris

J
J
John-Michael
Green Bay, US
Apr 30, 2013 4:13 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I had been having to call customer service about once a month. My cell phone service was not working more than it was. I had spent more time talking to customer service on someone else’s phone than I spoke to people on my phone. Then they screwed up my account even worse: lost my minutes, days, even my phone number. They kept telling me they could not recover the information and do not give refunds. After four or five phone calls totaling four or five hours, and being told to call back again tomorrow- I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. It took nearly two months to get a response. The minutes they could not recover in five hours suddenly became possible in less than five minutes. However, being two months after the fact, I had already changed carriers. I insisted on a refund for the unused time.
If customer service is not willing to solve the problem file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau Florida. www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org

E
E
EmilyHam
Onchiota, US
Apr 03, 2012 10:16 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The service at Tracfone is ridiculous. I purchased a phone, and it was a piece of junk. I got a replacement phone from the retailer, and that was a piece of junk too! I called tracfone and they wouldn't let me upgrade to a different phone but sent me another piece of junk LG220C. So, now I have had three of these crap phones and none are any good. I just got off the phone with tracfone AGAIN, and they refuse to help me upgrade and they won't refund my money. What a bunch of crap! Now, since I have over 700 minute accumulated, I have to stick with these jerks or lose that time. This phone is going in the garbage! What a rip off!

If you have to call customer service.. don't waste your time... the just don't even try to help with your phone problem! You just can't reason with them. I call this poor business policy!

G
G
Gladtobe
, US
Aug 23, 2016 2:49 am EDT

It took me 2 days after total run around to finally speak to someone with any semblance of sense. And that person (the supervisor) gave me no satisfaction whatsoever. I can't go online to add minutes, (a computer glitch that they can't seem to rectify) I have to trek to town to buy a "new" pin number and call back, meanwhile my phone is deactivated and I loose any minutes I had. What a bunch of crap, a total ripoff. I spoke with "Jose", "Letica" "Sevilla" "Krystal" "Ameed"(who hung up on me) "Jeo" and "Elizabetha"(supposedly a supervisor). I'll bet they just passed my call to everyone in the office. I will tell everyone I know NEVER to go with "CrapFone". They can kiss my ***!

G
G
George
, US
Aug 19, 2016 3:38 am EDT

Net 10 and Trac Phone are the same company. The scam is selling very cheaply made, bad quality cell phones that don't work I went thru 5 dud phones & they refused to refund Talk Time I could never use, since all 5 phones were defective. Their company really operates by selling you the defective phone, then you waste $ on Talk Time minutes they refuse to refund even if you return the defective phone 5 times. This happened to me within a 2 month time frame - 5 defective phones - all my Talk Time minutes expired in 60 days and they wouldn't extend expiration date and refused to give me a refund. I wound up disupting the charges on my credit card and that was the only way not to get "scorched".

Tech support is just horrible - Mexico, Philipine, India Call center - they refuse to transfer you to a supervisor. Typical phone call to their 800# is never less than 45 minutes - they put you on hold for a very long time, repeatedly - and they cannot do Tech Support - so then they just "dump" your call and disconnect you.

I've had cell phones for 13 years and never a problem -Net 10 and Trac Phone is definitely the worst ever in my experience. Avoid them.

K
K
katmiles55
Cheshire, US
Aug 19, 2016 3:38 am EDT

I made the very very sorry mistake of thinking this was the solution to inexpensive phones for my two teenagers.
Have spent HOURS AND HOURS in chat, on the phone (ran out of minutes on my regular verizon account thanks to this!) and in email with no less than 12 reps all giving me the different stories, solutions, etc.
Will be turning these in despite losing money as it's a bigger financial waste of my time to deal with such a beyond crappy company.
In the end, their poor service and products will do them in. It's just a matter of time, loss of customers and money before this happens.
IN the meantime, word of mouth and forums will help us get our message out. I am telling everyone I know to never get a Tracfone!

L
L
laura hensley
,
Aug 19, 2016 3:38 am EDT

i have beeen using tracphones for over five years and now that I do not have money to get more minutes they will not give me a number to access my voicemail when I bought my first phone I had another number to access from land line I will not refer this type of phone again I have already had twelve people sign up and will not suggest it again you can either access my number long enough to get my messages or I will have everyone I referred to have theirs shut off

W
W
Willy40
, US
Aug 19, 2016 3:38 am EDT

I bought a TracPhone for my wife to use. She has never been able to make a call last longer than 5 minutes. The phone randomly hangs up and you cannot call out again for awhile. After many complaints to TracPhone they sent another phone. Same results. I tried both local calls and long distance. Called my landline in my house same result. Called my cell phone (Sprint PCS) same result. I also called the other direction i.e. use other phones to call the Tracphone. The same type of failures. The phone just dies at anytime after the connection is made. It seems the only time the phone really works is when TracPhone sends sales messages to the phones mailbox.

ComplaintsBoard
J
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless Poor customer service!

I've had a TracFone for about 5 years now, and never really had any problems as far as the actual phone service is concerned. The customer service used to be pretty good despite the fact that the customer service reps had accents that could be a bit tough at times to understand. Unfortunately, the customer service has gone down hill.

I had a TracFone that broke, so I called TracFone and after a rather long wait on hold I got a CSR who verified my info and informed me that a new phone would be sent to me because the one that broke was under warranty. That was good news. I told the service rep that I wanted to keep my current phone number and have it "ported" over to the replacement phone. I was assured this could be easily done- new phone, same old phone number.

This did not prove to be that case. The folks at TracFone failed miserably on this one. I got the replacement phone really fast, we transferred my minutes and annual service time over to it easily enough (but oh, the wait time on hold for a service rep sucks!), but try as they might, they could not port the old number over to the new phone and get the phone into the cell network. Mind you, they did not have to port it over from another provider that could have messed up the process-- it was from one TracFone to another, within their own system and company.

We tried four replacement SIM cards, and none of them did the trick. The problem was not with the equipment; the problem was with the folks programming and running the TracFone network. Honestly, in this day and age, how hard could it be to port over my old number and get service to my phone? I'm sure I'm not the first person in the world who asked them to do this: they should have it down to a science at this point, no confusion, no guess work, no screw ups.

The customer service reps have a standard script and limited knowledge. If it gets too confusing for them, they assign the problem a case number. I know that they have a lot of phones to deal with, but its not like they are doing me a favor- I'm paying for the service, so give me my money's worth- get on the case and get it fixed.

After numerous phone calls (and the agonizingly long hold times that go with them), multiple case numbers, four SIM cards, and three weeks without a phone, I finally gave up and simply accepted a new phone number. As soon as I did that, I was on the air again.

I consider myself to be a patient and understanding customer. I know things take time and don't always go perfectly. But this was simply a case of inexcusable incompetence compounded with long hold times.

It's a shame. TracFone is a good concept, and like I said, they have performed other tasks for me like adding minutes over the phone without problems.
Maybe they just got too big, maybe the CSRs need better training, I don't know, but this issue left me mad, disappointed in them, and wondering if they will get worse over time.

Check out other cell phone service providers first- TracFone is not the only game in town when it comes to a phone that does not need a contract and can have minutes loaded to it when you need them.

A cell phone is only as good as the network behind it and customer service.

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 4 comments
Hide full review
4 comments
Add a comment
Valerie
Valerie
, US
Jul 11, 2008 1:16 pm EDT

For about two years, my Tracfone worked great, so I told my girlfriend to get one. We had a few issues with hers. All the customer service people sounded like they are from India. It took many hours to fix simple problems via phone, so I tried the website.

Most recently, both of our voicemail accounts stopped working. The website help uses a menu system with limited choices, which of course, does not include the problem being experienced. Ever. Which means one's only real choice is to e-mail or call one of the Indian people. E-mail gets automatic responses with a long list of instructions on how to fix a problem that you don't have. A telephone conversation is a constant struggle to understand the Tracfone employee, while they SLOWLY read a script, and ask the same questions over and over, usually the phone serial number, your address, credit card info, etc. which appears to have no bearing on the issue at hand.

When I asked for a supervisor, I was told to call back, and disconnected. Nice, eh?

When the Tracfone works, it is okay, although I've noticed a lot more disconnects and fading/garbled calls in the past 6 months.

C
C
Candace Cross
Hamlet, US
Feb 03, 2009 3:32 pm EST

I have been trying to get my Tracfone to work for over a month. The customer service is awful. They have me calling back every two to three days. I can't call out or receive calls on this phone. You can't hardly understand the people they have you calling for customer service and are unable to help you anyway. They won't even offer a refund. I'm going to keep calling for help. I wonder how may years it will take before I get any help.

D
D
debsnikel
,
Dec 01, 2007 12:01 pm EST

I agree with you 1oo %!
Tracfone is a rip off !
The phone they sent for the so-called "upgrade" is JUNK!
They do not honor their DOUBLE MINUTE PLAN either.
Each time I have had to call them I am on hold listening to "I'm sorry for your inconvenience" crap for a half an hour !

T
T
Two Sassie
,
Nov 07, 2007 6:26 pm EST

I totally agree with your frustration, as I've experienced almost the same exact scenario, but they were "upgrading" phone service in my area. I did experience the multiple sim card replacement and "prerecorded" CSR reps who keep repeating the same thing, "I'm sorry for you inconvenience" . Well, for crying out loud, get someone on the phone who can actually do something. I still don't have a working phone either and going on 3 weeks. I'm definitely going to shop around. A new Alltel is in town and I'm certainly going to check them out.

ComplaintsBoard
G
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless Volume too low

I had a replacement Nokia tracfone. I adjusted the volume to maximum but it is still much too low. I switched to loudspeaker and adjusted that to minimum but that is too high! I phoned help which took 30 minutes and they told me I had to phone them from an external home phone to get adjustments made to the tracfone. If I wanted another replacement they would have to cancel my existing 400 minutes while the new phone was being mailed to me. I don't believe any adjustments can be made other than replacement. Minutes were lost during the whole of the help call.

Gil.

Read full review of TracFone Wireless
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
K
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless After years of frustration, i've had it!

It has become more difficult to put minutes on my Tracfone and I've finally said ENOUGH! Two days ago I gave my VISA for purchasing minutes bing, bang, boom. The message said you now have 200 minutes. WRONG. Not there! This happens all the time! Then you have to call customer service and they have you punching in all these codes --- a lot of time and frustration. You want to know frustration. Sitting on the phone for over 30 minutes tonight when the announcement said it'd be 10 minutes. I never did talk with anyone! My boyfriend's older Tracfone died literally and he emailed them about transferring the remaining minutes to a new phone. NOTHING HAS BEEN HEARD FROM THEM! In two days, I'm calling my bank and disputing my charge since I did not receive my minutes and we're going to US Cellular for a real phone. HA HA HA. I'm not up to their sub-standard antics any more. GO TO HECK TRACFONE. Others BEWARE!

Read full review of TracFone Wireless
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
K
12:00 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

TracFone Wireless - Tracfone customer service sucks!

I picked up a Tracfone (Motoraola Model C - 139) while visiting in South Carolina, set it up and put 60 units on it. First of all, it was extremely hard to use the phone,you would dial the number, and the phone did nothing, I was only able to use it less than three times. Then, I added more time, another 60 units, and that was it, the phone stopped...

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 34 comments
ComplaintsBoard
J
12:00 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
TracFone Wireless has left an official reply on this complaint.

TracFone Wireless They should be put out of business!

I have had a tracfone for a few years for emergency use. Recently tracfone told me my phone was obsolete and they would send me a new phone. I could not use my phone while this new one was arriving. I got the new phone but it was defective.

I tried calling this company to tell them i need a new working phone and not a defective phone to replace my previous phone. You only get people who can hardly speak english when you call tracfone on their 800 number. You can hardly get a real live breathing customer service person at all. I spent hours describing this problem to them. They refuse to solve it by sending another phone.

This company is unbearable to have as a service provider. They should be put out of business. I certainly am still without a phone due to their negligence in sending a phone that works.

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 2 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.

Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
S
S
Sal Colangelo
, US
Sep 02, 2018 6:49 pm EDT

right on-was with them for years using the flip phone never had a problem, than than "pulled the plug" and said we no longer provide service for that type of phone. They sent a brand new touch phone (hate it) but none the less it was defective, and after many calls (no one knew much) now the latest is the sim was no good and wanted to charge me for delivery. god knows what will happen next. the battery drains in a hurry even when not in use. we will see what the new sim does, i dont trust them

M
M
Martin Rowland
,
Jun 13, 2007 11:49 am EDT

I couldn't agree more - this is a deceptive, dishonest company & it should indeed be put out of business. Aside from the recently "settled" class action suit in KY re: their practice of charging roaming fees for customers who are well within their area, this company is intolerable to deal with. I won't get into all the details of my problems with this company, other than to say a quick Google of " tracfone customer reviews" or " tracfone customer complaints" reveals that MANY other dis-satisfied ex-customers have had the same experiences re: their roaming fees, their deceptive claims, their unfathomable practice of using customer service reps in third world countries who can barely speak or understand English, & their apparently universal practice of trying every stalling tactic in the book to avoid refunding money. If these thief's have ripped you off, try contacting:

1) the B.B.B. of Southeast Fla.,
2) the state attorney general office of both the state you reside in & of Florida, & the F.C.C.

After dealing with their customer NON-service for about a week, trying to get a refund for minutes I'd paid for but which they could not get onto my phone, I contacted the Attorney General & the F.C.C. - I had contacted the B.B.B. of Southeast Fla, but not a whole lot of luck with them (they're apparently in bed with this company, listing them as a "platinum member", despite their not being eligible by the B.B.B.'s stated criteria). The FCC seems to get things moving quite quickly with this company - apparently, the Feds' really scare them.

ComplaintsBoard
J
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless Customer service lies

I bought a one year plan & refurbished phone from TracFone (www.tracfone.com). I have had a problem with my tracfone from day one. It took from the day I got it (4/9) until 4/27 to finally get the thing activated. I tried to port my verizon number, and received a new sim card the second day or so, but that didn't work because the number didn't port. That didn't bother me, as long as I got the phone to work. I called customer service. The person I talked to asked for my SIM card #, the new sim card I had just received, and told me that the SIM card wouldn't work in my area. She said she would send a new one. I waited 3 days and never received a new one. DON'T LIE AND TELL ME YOU'RE SENDING A SIM CARD IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO NOTHING.

I called back and the next person told me that my number didn't port and that he would have to send me a new sim card so that I would have a phone number. Sim card # 3. On 4/24 it did come, I popped it in the phone, went thru the activation online, on the phone, and nothing happened again. I called back on two different occasions, was walked thru a ton of code-entering. Once they got the phone "activated" they asked if I had an airtime card to add, to which I gave them the number. The typical ending answer would be to "wait 3-4 hours and if it isn't working then call back." Which I did. Again and again.

In the early morning of 4/27 the phone actually was working, and actually had its very own phone number, but out of my 250 minute card (ended up being 400 minutes total with bonuses, every time I tried to activate the card it told me that much) I only had 120 minutes on my phone. And that happened by accident by one of the people trying to help me get my phone activated, I entered a code she read me and 120 minutes show up on my phone.

So I called back on 4/28 to find why the remaining minutes weren't received. The last time I called tracfone was the worst. I called and ended up with a man who I hung up on because I couldn't understand what he was saying because his English was so heavily accented. No problem, I could deal with that.

Calling back I got someone I could understand. I explained that I didn't receive my original 400 minutes, but I had 120 (which seemed to confuse her) and asked why I didn't receive the other 380 minutes. She checked the airtime card and told me that the card had been redeemed on 4/12 (funny...my phone wasn't even working then!) and that I had used my minutes. I said no, I couldn't have used my minutes because I didn't get the phone to work until 4/27. Is someone else using my minutes? She said no, that I had used them. At this point I was very angry. Finally, during one of the many "I need to consult with someone, can you hold" episodes, I asked if I could talk to her supervisor since she wasn't helping me.

After 15 minutes or so on hold, he came on the line. I told him my problem and he told me the same thing, that the phone card had been activated and the minutes had been used. I told him that I hadn't used them. I was so furious that I then told him I wanted a return authorization number to return the damned thing and get my money back. He said he would have to talk to his supervisor. I asked if I could talk to his supervisor. He said sure, let me get her, and I spent another 15 minutes on hold to have the same man come back on!

Then he said he would try and get me my minutes. No return authorization number. He fiddled with things, I entered codes, and when nothing worked, he lied to me and told me that the system was down, he couldn't give me my minutes tonight, and to call back tomorrow. WHAT?! Tracfone's service motto must be "Call back tomorrow so maybe you would forget about the whole damn thing because the maze of customer service is so aggravating customers would rather forget they wasted their money than keep dealing with customer support."

So he ended up LYING TO ME because when I got ### with him, mainly because I had by then spent over an hour on the phone with customer nonsupport, he fiddled around some more and ended up telling me FINALLY HE SENT THE REMAINING 380 MINUTES and that I should receive them shortly. I have waited. I am still waiting. Still 380 minutes missing.

After all of these many phone calls and hours on the phone I have still not received the original 400 minutes that I PAID FOR!

This morning, while trying to help myself and going thru the instructions online (which are a hell of a lot more helpful than anyone I've spoken to thru customer support) suddenly I received a text message that says "0 units and 380 bonus minutes added. Please turn phone off and on. Time: 7:38pm 4/30/07" I don't know if my phone wasn't set correctly and I just now got this message or if it's been there all the time. But I've since turned the phone on and off, on and off, and nothing. NOTHING!

The worst part about this whole ordeal (worse than the lying) is that you only have one freaking phone number to which you always get people that can't help, follow that damned script which is very annoying because if you get someone off their script they don't know what the hell they're doing, and to which English is not their first language, which I would think would be essential to providing helpful customer support. Divide up the phone line and specialize people, then maybe SOMEONE would know how to fix the problem!

I have already filed a report with the BBB. I'm just getting this out there to as many sites as possible.

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 3 comments
Hide full review
3 comments
Add a comment
F
F
Ferdin
, US
Aug 08, 2011 6:12 pm EDT

I ordered a reconditioned tracfone samsung t301g sim 5 + 60 minute double minutes for life service pin card on 7/18/11. This order was suppose to be shipped 3 day fedex.

Well to make a long story short I had to call tracfone 3-4 times and speak to people in foreign countries that I could not understand to get the tracking info. The phone finally arrived, but it couldn't be activated for some reason?

I spent hours on the phone with tracfone and finally found out that they sent me a straight talk phone with a tracfone service card; of course it could not be activated.

On 7/28/11 I was given case #'s for the wrong phone to be picked up by fedex and the correct phone to be shipped out; plus a complimentary additional service minutes card.

As of 8/7/11 I have yet to receive anything from tracfone; except for some emails stating that they forwarded all the problems with my online order to upper management at tracfone and of course I haven't heard anything from them!

I contacted my mastercard company and disputed the charges; minimal as the cost was; the aggravation and countless hours spent on the phone were not worth just letting the charge stay on my credit card

Stay away from tracfone. I did have the opportunity to speak with a rep at straight talk and she sounded like she knew what was going on, but couldn't help me because my problems were with tracfone; even though these two companies are closely related. I really don't know how these types of so called merchants stay in business!?.

S
S
SmitH59
, US
Nov 08, 2009 3:20 pm EST

My husband bought me a new motorola tracfone. I called the tracfone phone # on my activation card on Friday, 10/30 I told the customer service rep that I wanted to keep the same phone number and that I had a new phone I wanted to activate, well it finally started working on Sat. 10/31 but with a different phone #. On Monday 11/2 I called the home office # in Florida and they said they would overnight a new sim card to me. I never received it, I called them again on Wednesday they again told me they would send me a new sim card overnight, I never received it, my husband called them Friday 11/6 they told him they would overnight a new sim card and gave him a fed ex tracking #. Well guess what it is Saturday 11/7 and I still have not received my overnight sim card, and I checked the tracking # on fed ex and I will not receive it until Monday, 11/9. This phone was a birthday present which has turned into a nightmare.

M
M
Mary Kathryn Randecker
,
Nov 24, 2008 1:10 am EST

My trac fone is disabled at this time . The message is that the service is disabled and I cannot get it restarted. I need help via email or phone call. My home phone no is [protected].
Thank You

ComplaintsBoard
R
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless Double billing without issuing any minutes

At 6:20 pm Igave the net10 reorder girl all the info she needed to reinstate my net10 phone. She put me on hold for a few minutes and them came back on the phone only to tell me that my visa card was no good. I called my bank and (while not giving the amount of the transaction) asked what the amounts of only my wire transfers were and they told me all of them, including one for 32.24 from net ten. I called net10 back and told them that they had my money and to give me my 300 min. or my money back. They said that they didn't have my money(wire fraud)and to call my bank back because they had it.

The next day Igot back on the phone and called Visa, ,the F.T.C. my bank to see if my money had been returned, no. But another 32.24 had been charged to my acct again, So, now we're up to 64.48 and In still don't have any airtime on my phone, the money has been taken out of my bank and it's all my fault according to the Argentina base of the company. Now that I had a costly conference call with everyone involved and the net10 people finally acknowledged that they were wrong and I am to be reimbursed within 24 hours. I'm still not a very happy camper and fill that Law Enforcement agencies should be informed of a possible wire fraud has been committed. Those people down there knew they had my money and it took me Two days to get them to admit it. I've lost Twenty hours of my own phone time and probably Two to Three hundred dollars over a principal. So, someone has to make it up to me and my lost revenue hours. someone needs to lose walmarts business or I get compensation...

rick fetty
140 park lane, suite13
St. Joseph, Mo. 64506

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 1 comment
Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
L
L
Lisa Mcclure
Louisville, US
May 14, 2014 2:28 pm EDT

Straight talk has been double billing me and giving me the run around...Teresita Armada is the lady that has been delaying me getting my money ...she says she sorry that I was right and her boss found it but still has not returned my money double billing me for 6 months.
NEVER GIVE THEM YOUR BANK CARD NUMBER PEOPLE PLEASE !

I HAVE CONTACTED THE FCC, FTC now the BBB and Attorney General & Walmart !
I dont understand how they can get away with this scam .
Thank you Lisa Mcclure

ComplaintsBoard
S
12:00 am EDT

TracFone Wireless Did not return $20 phone card charge when faulty phone returned!

Bought c139 tracfone on2/11 from radioshack, hyannis, mass for $14.99, plus #1021355 Trac $19.99/60 min pre-paid minutes. Returned phone to Radio shack on 2/16 as defective, and received a credit for$14.99. Neither Radio Shack nor Tracfone would give me credit for @19.99 air time, even though phone was never operated, nor any minutes were spent. It was their "policy" not to refund pre-paid minutes. This seems to be a scam!

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 2 comments
Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
P
P
Peter
,
Oct 01, 2008 12:01 am EDT

here is the tracfone's executive phone numbers. good luck spread the word.
Here are the people I called, please print them to help other readers:

F.J. Pollak-President
8390 NW 25th St.
Miami, FL 33122
[protected]
BBB lists phone numbers:
[protected]
[protected]
Fax: [protected]

Vice-President's name is Stephan Ritter

Tacfone's Corporate Offices:
1020 NW 163rd Dr.
Miami, FL 33169

Head of the refund department:
Monica
[protected] ext 3214
or ext 6673

D
D
Dan Feldman
,
Nov 02, 2007 6:19 pm EDT

It's plainly stated on their receipts that airtime isn't refundable (even if you were too stupid to use up that airtime before returning the phone) and this is standard practice with any prepaid airtime. If you bought a car, went and put gas in it, then decided to return the car, should the car dealer refund your gas? Hint: The correct answer is HELL NO!

ComplaintsBoard
J
12:00 am EST
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

TracFone Wireless - Exploiting people, unfair business!

Tracfone Wireless and Net10 are taking an unfair advantage, exploiting people from other countries like belice phillipines colombia argentina guatemala paying 3 dollars per hour to its workers, to do a very hard and second after second stressing job and giving workers 10 minutes brakes every 6 hours giving customer service all over the United Estates not...

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 24 comments
ComplaintsBoard
G
12:00 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
TracFone Wireless has left an official reply on this complaint.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

TracFone Wireless - Cheated and lied to me

TRACFONE Wireless, Inc. a subsidiary of America Movil. U.S. Patent No. 5,631,947 I have looked in my mannual, and on their official home page web site but find no address, who to contact other than the customer service number, [protected] They have purposely left off all information about themselves, officers of company or whatever. This should not be...

Read full review of TracFone Wireless and 45 comments

TracFone Wireless In-depth Review

Product Range and Availability:

TracFone Wireless offers a variety of mobile phone options, allowing customers to choose the device that best suits their needs. Additionally, they provide different plans and packages, giving users the flexibility to select the one that fits their usage requirements. TracFone Wireless boasts excellent coverage and network reliability, ensuring that customers can stay connected wherever they go.

Pricing and Value for Money:

TracFone Wireless offers competitive prices for both devices and plans. Their pricing is comparable to other wireless providers in the market. In addition to affordable rates, TracFone Wireless includes additional features and services in their plans, providing customers with great value for their money.

Customer Service and Support:

TracFone Wireless provides accessible and responsive customer support. Customers can easily contact their customer service team through various channels, such as phone, email, or live chat. TracFone Wireless is known for efficiently resolving issues and complaints, ensuring a satisfactory customer experience.

Network Coverage and Quality:

TracFone Wireless offers extensive coverage area and reliable signal strength. Users can expect consistent data speed and reliable network performance. When compared to other wireless providers, TracFone Wireless stands out for its excellent network coverage and quality.

Ease of Use and User Experience:

TracFone Wireless's website provides a user-friendly interface with easy navigation and functionality. The activation and setup process is straightforward, allowing customers to quickly get their devices up and running. TracFone Wireless offers a seamless user experience with convenient features.

Flexibility and Customization:

TracFone Wireless offers flexibility to its customers by allowing them to switch plans or add-ons as per their needs. They also provide options for international calling or roaming, catering to users who frequently travel. TracFone Wireless ensures that customers have control over their accounts and usage.

Contract and Terms:

TracFone Wireless offers flexible service agreements with varying lengths. They have transparent terms and conditions, ensuring customers are aware of any early termination fees or penalties. TracFone Wireless maintains transparency in billing and charges, providing a hassle-free experience.

Additional Features and Services:

TracFone Wireless offers additional features such as mobile hotspot availability, enabling users to share their data connection with other devices. They also provide international calling options, allowing customers to stay connected with their loved ones abroad. TracFone Wireless offers value-added services like device insurance or extended warranties, providing peace of mind to customers.

Overall Satisfaction and Recommendation:

TracFone Wireless receives positive overall ratings from users. Customers are likely to recommend TracFone Wireless to others due to its reliable service, competitive pricing, and excellent customer support. While TracFone Wireless has its strengths, it is important to note that some users may experience occasional weaknesses, such as limited device options or specific coverage issues in certain areas.

Competitor Comparison:

When compared to other wireless providers, TracFone Wireless stands out for its unique features and advantages. Their competitive pricing, extensive coverage, and flexible plans make them a strong choice. However, it is essential to consider factors such as specific coverage requirements or device preferences when choosing TracFone Wireless over its competitors.
How to file a complaint about TracFone Wireless?

1. Log in or create an account: Ensure you are logged in to your ComplaintsBoard.com account to proceed. If you do not have an account, please register by providing the necessary details to create one.

2. Navigating to the complaint form: Once logged in, locate the 'File a Complaint' button situated at the top right corner of the website and click on it to access the complaint form.

3. Writing the title: In the 'Complaint Title' field, concisely summarize the main issue you have encountered with TracFone Wireless. Make it specific and clear, such as "Incorrect Billing by TracFone Wireless" or "TracFone Wireless Poor Customer Service."

4. Detailing the experience: In the complaint description, provide a detailed account of your experience with TracFone Wireless. Include key areas such as:

  • Customer service interactions: Describe the nature of any customer service issues, including unresponsiveness or rudeness.
  • Service problems: Mention any issues with phone service, such as dropped calls, poor signal, or data problems.
  • Billing disputes: Detail any incorrect charges, overbilling, or difficulties with payment processing.
  • Product issues: If your complaint involves a device, describe the problem, including any defects or malfunctions.
  • Contract and terms: Address any misleading information or disputes regarding the terms of service.
  • Resolution attempts: Explain the steps you have taken to resolve the issue with TracFone Wireless and the company's response, if applicable.
  • Personal impact: Share how the issue has affected you personally, such as financial loss or inconvenience.

Remember to provide specifics about any transactions, including dates, amounts, and any relevant communication with the company.

5. Attaching supporting documents: Attach any relevant documents or evidence to support your complaint. This could include screenshots, receipts, or correspondence. Be cautious not to include sensitive personal information that could compromise your privacy.

6. Filling optional fields: Use the 'Claimed Loss' field to quantify any financial losses you have incurred due to the issue. In the 'Desired Outcome' field, clearly state the resolution you are seeking from TracFone Wireless, such as a refund, exchange, or apology.

7. Review before submission: Carefully review your complaint for clarity, accuracy, and completeness. Ensure that your description is coherent and that all the facts presented are correct to the best of your knowledge.

8. Submission process: Once you are satisfied with your complaint, click the 'Submit' button to officially file your complaint on ComplaintsBoard.com.

9. Post-Submission Actions: After submitting your complaint, monitor your ComplaintsBoard.com account for any responses or updates. Engage with any replies from TracFone Wireless or other users to further your case.

Trust badge
Collect Your Trust Badge
Be recognized for outstanding customer service

TracFone Wireless contacts

Website

www.tracfone.com

Your Voice Matters: Our Commitment to Genuine Reviews

Empowering Real Experiences

At ComplaintsBoard, we believe in the power of true customer stories. Our platform is a space for authentic voices, where experiences, both good and bad, are shared openly and honestly.

Dedicated to Authenticity

ComplaintsBoard is vigilant in our fight against false reviews. Our team employs robust verification methods to ensure every review reflects a real customer experience, upholding the integrity of our platform.

Encouraging Detailed Feedback

ComplaintsBoard values reviews that come with real evidence. Whether it's a photo, a detailed account, or additional documentation, such substantiation adds credibility to your story, helping others make better-informed decisions.

Balanced and Constructive Conversations

We're more than just a complaints board; we're a community for balanced dialogue. ComplaintsBoard encourages reviews that not only highlight issues but also acknowledge positive aspects, fostering a fair and comprehensive understanding.

Free and Fair Platform

ComplaintsBoard's commitment to maintaining a free and unbiased platform is unwavering. Every review is treated equally, ensuring that your voice is heard and respected, regardless of the nature of your experience.

Is ComplaintsBoard.com associated with TracFone Wireless?

ComplaintsBoard.com is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with TracFone Wireless Customer Service. Initial TracFone Wireless complaints should be directed to their team directly. You can find contact details for TracFone Wireless above.

ComplaintsBoard.com is an independent complaint resolution platform that has been successfully voicing consumer concerns since 2004. We are doing work that matters - connecting customers with businesses around the world and help them resolve issues and be heard.

Use this comments board to leave complaints and reviews about TracFone Wireless. Discuss the issues you have had with TracFone Wireless and work with their customer service team to find a resolution.