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CB Telecommunications TracFone Wireless missing minutes from account - again
TracFone Wireless

TracFone Wireless review: missing minutes from account - again 23

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Author of the review
8:56 pm EDT
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This company on numerous occasions had deducted paid minutes from our account, which were watched for this very purpose on two seperate periods very closely. When addressed the first time, it literally cost us approximately over 7 hours to replenish over 600 missing minutes taken from our account and then the secound time this had happened and addressed for a greater amount of missing number of minutes, they started sending us through their hoops. That's when we literally trashed their phone and service and the same of so-called customer service and changed over to Consumer Cellular, which for the use Consumer Cellular provides, it is a great service with matching customer service to Boot!

This is by no means a solicitation for their service.

WHAT IT IS, IS A WARNING TRACFONE USERS, TO WATCH THEIR ACCOUNT MINUTE USAGE AND TRACFONE DELETION FROM THEIR ACCOUNT CLOSELY AS THEIR DECEPTION IN ACCOUNT DELETION OF MINUTES LEAD TO YOUR LOSS AND THEIR PROFITS AND GAIN.

BETTER LUCK TO YOU!

Resolved

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

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23 comments
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Mill J Bundy
, US
Jul 13, 2022 1:03 pm EDT

TracFone almost forced to replace my sim card from att to Verizon, with constant warning if i won't do that tham my service will be interrupted as soon i got the sim replaced my tho phones stopped to work completely, my minutes and data got deleted from account . After many hours and "help" everything got much worse. Had to purchase again sim cards, my phone nr. Got changed and i have no more service that i have paid year in advance. Overseas assistance is very bad everything they have done had made it that i don't see reason to return to TracFone that i had for over 8 years and look for other service providers.

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Jeff Pinkston
, US
Apr 09, 2023 7:47 pm EDT

Go to the Better Business Bureau website and file a complaint.

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Jean Voss
, US
Sep 01, 2021 2:04 pm EDT

I am pretty upset. Had a tracfone rep refuse to believe that I lost minutes that I never used. I asked for reasons why minutes might disappear. Her repeated reply was that only minutes that are used disappear. That is not my experience. There is something wrong with either their system or my phone. The rep said that my phone did not have any issues. Well, then if my phone doesn't have an issue, tracfone has issues with minutes being deleted on their end. Ugh! This is so unfair! I paid for a service that is not being provided. I have used tracfone for 12 years without any significant issues until recently. I will be calling the Better Business Bureau and ask them for direction on how to resolve this. What a pain and poor customer service. If tracfone helped me out, I'd likely continue to use their service.

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RyanDigital
, US
Jul 26, 2022 2:51 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Jean Voss

I have just had a very similar experience on my wife's phone. Her phone was no longer accepting calls and we thought a setting had gone wacko. Finally connected with Tracfone customer service and rep said the reason phone not working was that we were out of minutes. My wife knew she had over 500 minutes left. Tracfone rep spent a lot of time "working on the problem", finally checking back with me and stating 500 minutes had been replaced on the account and phone should now work. I asked why this happened and was told not to worry about it. Just call back if it happens again. I pressed some more and was told that sometimes there is a "glitch" in their system which wipes out minutes. Sounds real fishy to me and if I had accepted rep's first explanation I would have lost minutes which I paid for and had to repurchase, not to mention the frustration with devoting two+ hours on the phone to fix Tracfone's problem. This is the second time this has happened to me, prompting me to do a little research and I now see I'm not the only one.

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TracFone Wireless
Medley, US
Jul 26, 2022 4:12 pm EDT

Hi. RyanDigital. This is Alex from TracFone Wireless. We really do apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused you. We don't want to cause any problem with our valuable customers. We will assure you that it will never happen again. Furthermore, we want to exceed your expectations and resolve this issue as quickly as possible. For further assistance you can chat with us via this link https://www.tracfone.com/support/contact-us or call us at 1-800-867-7183. For your convenience, our representatives are available Monday-Sunday from 8:00 AM to 11:45 PM EST. You can also use our self-service menu by simply texting the word HELP to 611611.

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Marty Hale
, US
Feb 13, 2023 6:03 pm EST

Yep just went thru that they screwed me out of 2 gig data hundreds of call minutes and hundreds of text minutes.Plus took over 3 to 4 hrs of calls and chats to TracFone to finally get back the use of my phone. With a measley 120 minutes of call and text minutes and no Data.

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Barb C
Combined Locks, US
Jul 07, 2023 5:35 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Marty Hale

Same thing just happened to me. First my issue was I couldn't hear voicemails so called customer service. After calling customer service and telling me to shut off phone and reboot, lost everything - first they said I had no service, then after repeated phone calls, because my plan goes to January of 2024, they said everything was reinstated. Well, I lost all my texts and data and they gave me some 300 odd minutes. Called several times, kept being told I used a consumable item and nothing they could do. So since I don't use data, last time I looked it was over 5 gb, mintes, I must have had over 1000, and texts, I don't recall. But never received any warning that I was running low on anything. This is robbing us of paid service.

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Harvey58
, US
Aug 29, 2021 11:12 am EDT

My auto-refill comes on the 11th each month. Have a 3 gig, unlimited talk and text plan. I check my balance after the refill date, 3.7 gig. Less than 2 weeks later, no data at all. I hadn't been using it much. In 'Settings', under 'Mobile Data', the phone says I used 480 mb. All I could get from the 611611 chat, was my data was consumed, would I like to purchase more... Called the 1-800 number, and pretty much the same thing, over and over. I know there was no chance I used even 1 gig. Going to Email corporate, see if they have interest in resolving/losing a customer. Won't buy any extra mobile data. Just two week, until the next auto-refill. Happens again, I'm an ex-customer. Going to try shutting off the phone, when not using it. Keep Mobile data switched off, until I use an app, or go online. Don't think the problem, is on my end though.

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Gordon Kearse
, US
May 01, 2021 12:10 pm EDT

I bought a 365 day plan for a friend because he has no credit card. But a week later all his minutes are gone. And his plan is for one year but he have to go out and buy more minutes again. And he had an active account with minutes I thought would have rolled over. I'll just stick with my $45 per month Verizon plan. Verizon seems to err more in my favor. TracFone treats you like an idiot when you call. WHERE ARE HIS MINUTES?

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ISaidThatsRight
, US
Mar 25, 2021 1:17 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I ran out of minutes two days ago but had remaining texts and data and service for another 3 months. I purchased extension plan of 30 days service, plus unlimited minutes and texts and 1GB of data. Immediately upon purchase at tracfone.com site of plan, my phone balance on all three became 0 0 0 though Tracfone.com site proved my recent purchase! My phone is working - no texting, no phone calls, no data allowed. WHAT is going on?! I want a refund of added plan and reset to original balances! Customer service has not been able to resolve the issue after I called 5 times with different agents over the past two days...

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charlespaul k
, US
Nov 15, 2020 10:10 pm EST

11/15/2020 Have Samsung 8 running on BYOP Tracfone Have tracfone for over 10 years no major issues.Past 2 week text message units are disappearing at about 10 units per day with a grey screen showing no activity.Calling tracfone no help.Changing phone number is my next step.Any help appreciated.

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Jason Dahms
, US
Sep 05, 2020 1:33 pm EDT

@ clement cheng (what do you mean by "no one really has the time to read all of the fine print"

As for me I had ~ 3300 minutes, 3300 text, and 2.3 gb of data on 08-26-2020 with my service data ending on 09-04-2020 so I paid ~ $200 for 1500 more minutes, texts and 1.5 gb of data with 1 year service plan plus an additonal 1 year of service and when 09-04-2020 at 5pm rolled around all my minutes, text and data disappeared. Its been 2 days and 2 hours+ of being bounced around and I still dont have my minutes text or data back.

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Clement Cheng
, US
Dec 20, 2018 11:22 am EST

12/19/2018 I didn't believe some of the people who said they lost minutes or data until it happened to me. I lost my data 2.5gig, 5500 minutes, and 4500 texts. I tried to add data and after paying over $50, they deactivated my line instead.

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Clement Cheng
, US
Dec 20, 2018 11:23 am EST

No one really has the time to read all of the fine print.

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Dennis13
, US
Apr 28, 2018 6:28 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I lost all my text balance, it was well over 2000 and went to 0. I buy time every year and never have to add what I have left rolls over. I seldom check my balance since I know I have a lot, so I don't know the exact number I lost. My data and minutes were OK, just texts. This happened a couple months ago and I didn't have the time to contact Tracfone so I just bought more texts to get me by until I had the time. Well I didn't and I guess I used all the texts I bought because I found out I wasn't getting texts and no one was getting mine and when I checked I was a 0 again. So I got on a chat with Tracfone and they restored 4000 texts for me. They can only check usage, not balance history so they made an average of my usage and gave them back. They couldn't tell me why it happened in the first place, they said maybe it was a system issue.

Chat history:

Thank you for visiting Tracfone today. How may I help you?
Karol: Thank you for visiting TracFone Wireless.
Karol: Hi Dennis.
Karol: How may I assist you?
You: My text balance disappeared to 0. Do you keep track of my balance?
Karol: I’m sorry to hear that.
Karol: Yes. But, we can also check the daily usage of the balance to check if there is a discrepancy on the balance that you are claiming.
Karol: Does your TracFone number end with 1725?
You: yes
Karol: Let me check the account first. One moment, please.
You: This happened twice. The first time maybe 2 months ago when I had over 2000 left. I didn't check then as I didn't have time and I bought more texts. It now went to 0 again.
Karol: Sorry for the inconvenience.
Karol: I checked the account on our system.
Karol: I checked the time that you last added airtime into the account as well as the consumed text messages on our system.
Karol: It shows that the text message units were consumed.
Karol: Please be advised that the My Account application may have a delay or may be outdated if you are not checking or refreshing it time by time.
You: The last time probably as I bought the minimum. The prior time is the problem.
You: I know I had a lot left when it went to 0 as I don't text often.
Karol: I apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced due to this issue.
Karol: How many text message units left on the account before it happened?
Karol: Are you still there? If I do not get a response from you within two minutes, this session will have to end.
You: I don't know the exact number as I don't check it daily. I know It was over 2000 close to how many minutes I have. I never use all my time before I have to extend my time and it carries over.
You: Sorry I don't type as fast as you.
Karol: I will need to review the account about the text message units that you are claiming. Alright.
Karol: That is fine.
Karol: One moment, please.
You: Go back to when I bought the last texts which is when it went to 0 and it should show how many I had before that date.
Karol: Yes, I will do that. I am still checking the account.
Karol: One moment, please.
Karol: I can see that some text messages are consumed on the account. I can work with your 2000 text message units on the account.
Karol: Would you like me to add it now?
You: Yes please, does it show the exact amount that I lost?
Karol: Alright. No, it didn't. We can see the usage of the text messages and the estimated benefits on the account that we can add into your phone.
Karol: One moment, please.
You: OK, I guess it's the best that you can do, Thanks. Do you know why this happened? My wife checked online and saw that this happened to others.
Karol: Alright. You are welcome.
Karol: The application may not be updated. If you can refresh the account once a day, it would be best for you to do that to get the updated benefits. Make sure that you are connected to Wi-Fi or data in doing this process. This will allow you real time balance on the device.
Karol: Other customers experienced this process because they didn't log in the correct email address on the account.
Karol: Let me add the text message units first.
Karol: One moment, please.
You: Not what I mean. What I'm asking is why the text balance went to 0 when the texts were not used.
Karol: It may be a system issue or an application issue.
Karol: We do not have a specific information about the issue that had happened.
Karol: I am sorry.
Karol: Please allow me a moment to look into this.
You: OK, have the texts been added? I wish the smart phones worked like the old tracfones which gave a running balance that you saw all the time.
Karol: No, not yet. I am still working on it.
Karol: I understand your concern.
Karol: Since Smartphone devices have different softwares, we need to use the My Account application to get your balances display on the device.
Karol: I successfully added your text message units on the account. Can you check your account balance and let me know if you receive it?
You: OK checking.
Karol: Alright.
Karol: Did you receive it?
You: The texts are there, Thank you.
Karol: Great. You are welcome.
Karol: I am happy that the issue is now resolved. I hope that you are interested to participate in a short survey on how I assisted you today. Would you be interested?
Karol: Are you still with me? If I do not get a response from you within two minutes, this session will have to end.
You: Will do. I will be checking this daily now in case it happens again. I don't know when the current texts went to 0. I had a friend call me and say I wasn't replying and he didn't get my texts. Is there a way to know when this happens without checking all the time.
Karol: Sorry for the inconvenience.
Karol: Yes. You can estimate the usage that you have on the text messages that you are using.
Karol: If not, you can check it twice a week to ensure that your balance is still on the device.
Karol: This is the only way to see if the balance are there. There may be a system issue if the text message balance gets deleted and you never used it.
Karol: Would you like to participate in a short survey about the service I provided after we end this chat?
You: I did do that and I had a lot so I don't check it constantly. I will more often.
Karol: Sorry for the inconvenience.
You: Yes I will to the survey.
Karol: Alright.
Karol: Wonderful! We really value our customer's feedback for improvement. We are really thankful to have a customer like you and we are hoping to get a positive response for the service I provided.
Karol: There will be a text message that will be sent to the phone number provided with instructions for you to start your survey after the chat. The survey is free of charge.
Karol: Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
You: Not at this time.
Karol: Thank you for chatting with TracFone Wireless. If you have any further questions or concerns, please Chat with us or contact one of our customer care representatives at [protected]. For your convenience, our representatives are available Monday-Sunday from 8:00 A.M. to 11:45 P.M. 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.

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Iratwo Minn
, US
Nov 15, 2016 3:12 pm EST

Same here. I tried to resolve the issue via their support chat on facebook. When this proved a very aggravating experience, I wrote a post on that page and added replies as changes happened - or not. Screenshots are attached:

View 0 more photos
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lori in colorado
, US
Jul 14, 2016 5:27 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Horrible horrible company. Agreed so far with everyone. I purchased mine and my children's phones this time (reoccurring problem but thought it was the phones) with 1200 mins on them and I since we hardly use the phones thought they would easily last over a year. Within a couple months all the mins were gone. I have called on it several times & told to make a photocopy of the battery, sims card or whatever & send in a verbatum disclosure saying they are my phones. Which is ### so i've never done it. Just called again and apparently there is a verification department which can supposedly go over your minutes to see what has happened. However, i haven't even been transferred to that department yet & the "manager" RYAN PAZ looked at it for less that 5 mins & told me he DOESN'T BELIEVE ME that the minutes disappeared, because it is impossible and it never happens. HA! Just google it. He ended up hanging up which isn't surprising with the poor service they provide out of Honduras. I called again & they have trained them to say it is not common & in fact impossible. What a rip-off company they are. My next step is to try to find out how to contact corporate headquarters in Miami, FL. From others peoples comments i am still hopeful that just maybe they will reapply them back to my phones. Wish me luck!

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el_duderino
, US
Jun 23, 2016 11:42 am EDT

Total Ripoff... Just a couple of weeks ago, my mom had over 800 minutes showing on her balance.
I know because I had been showing her how to send an attachment, then, I showed her how to check the balance on her phone.
What I should have done was take a screenshot of the minutes balance, but it didn't occur to me that they might disappear.
We bought a card good for a year plus we got a double minutes deal, which seemed like a fantastic bargain at the time.

Well, we should have known it was too good to be true. A little over halfway through, the 800 she had showed just 2 weeks ago were gone.
Now, we have to get another card if we want to use the phone any further.
I think it might be time to switch to another service like straight talk. I haven't had this kind of issue with them in over 4 years.

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Davidutah
, US
Apr 16, 2016 2:18 pm EDT

BEWARE of TracFone -- Same thing just happened to me. I have been a tracfone user for at least 10 years and have had no issues until this week (4/11/2016). My over 800 minutes and 2 years worth of days suddenly are at 0. I spoke with a customer service representative and a "supervisor" with the same response -- "You must have used them up." They provided no assistance; could not look up a list of in/out going calls (You have to fax them a signed statement that you are the owner of the phone!); just pushing me away saying it was my fault the minutes disappeared. I only use the phone for emergency purposes and occasional calls. Time to change providers.

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Xierra
, PH
Dec 09, 2015 5:03 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You might need to take your issue to the right people for an immediate response. Try sending an email to this email address email address is TF.CorpResolutionTeam@tracfone.com, or contact them via live chat. These people can help you!

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Amber Bandicoot
, US
Oct 25, 2015 6:18 pm EDT

October 22, 2015: AGAIN Tracfone has screwed me over on minutes. I'm using the phone and I hear the "toot-toot... toot-toot" that I think is an in-coming call. No, it's the "under 10min remaining" alert. UNDER 10MIN.? I had well over 30! And I only get 1-min incoming calls calling me to work, or the rare text mssge. exchange. Where did they go? This is the 2nd time my crapfone has done this. The previous time, I finally got 20min out of them, but they used this against me this time, as if I didn't deserve it originally and should've been grateful. For life. I googled this and it's not uncommon. This is outright stealing, on top of their deceptive advertising, "No contract". Well, if you don't use your phone by the "service date" it shuts down. I call that condition/date combination a "contract". For God's sake, is there anyone out there not endlessly trying to trick you and screw you?

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GrapeDrops
Middletown, US
Jun 25, 2015 8:08 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I bought a unlock android from Consumer Cellular and they are now the provider.

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NikaA
, US
Jun 25, 2015 8:37 am EDT

I am in the same boat; this is the second time I have had more than a thousand minutes "disappear" from my account. I rarely call anyone, so have rolled over my minutes for years. I'm actually in a chat with an agent right now who says that the minutes were used, and I want to know where as I've had one call since my balance was listed at 1407 minutes and that call lasted one minute and thirty-two seconds. They returned some of my minutes, but there are still 407 missing, and most of my data.

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GrapeDrops
Middletown, US
Jun 15, 2015 1:43 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Tracfone deducted my minutes 4, 011 June 11 to to Junes 13, to 0 same with the text and data. I call and talk to three different people before I got the answer why and the person said because it was not updated I do not know what that means. She gave me 23min 23 text and 0.02 data. I rarely talk on phone only do text messaging. The service End date is 2020 Was given because same problem a year ago with transferring minutes from old phone to new phone which never was resolved had to return New Android Tracfone to seller on Ebay. I have been Tracfone customer over 10 years. The minutes last 5 years are roll over paid minutes. This is the first year to have android for me. As I write this I was on hold with tracfone for 30 minutes they just return my call I am now on hold until the lady contact her supervisor Just finish conversation with a lady, she said I use the minutes up I ask how is I use minutes up in one day she says they gave me too many minutes. On the website was in error. I wanted to know when am I suppose to add minutes? And how do I know when I need more minutes? She says anytime you can add minutes. She did not understand the question. She says down load app for track minutes I guess from time to time I will have to call to see how many minutes I have left, I don't think it is a guarantee for accuracy of minutes. She kept giving answers not related to the question. Since I lost the minutes I will upgrade to new Android with prepaid minutes hope this work if not any suggestions? Is there a provider that can give prepaid minutes without a problems? I read others had same problem losing the minutes on Tracfone. Thank you for hearing me out.