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Global Tel Link
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2.1 139 Reviews

Global Tel Link Complaints Summary

37 Resolved
102 Unresolved
Our verdict: When using services from Global Tel Link with a poor resolution rate, be vigilant. Understand the common pitfalls other customers have faced. Prepare thoroughly for any interactions with their customer service, and consider alternative solutions if your issues are not addressed satisfactorily.
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Global Tel Link reviews & complaints 139

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M
2:08 pm EDT

Global Tel Link block on communication

Our son says We put a block on Our phone so He has been unable
to call Us.We did not authorize or request a block so please correct.This is the second time this has happened.Never had this problem with MCI.Thank You and Your reply would be appreciated.

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adeana howard
Rochester, US
Nov 26, 2009 5:59 pm EST

Yes, they are unimaginable. To my knowledge, they will no longer be handling certain state facilities anymore as of the end of this year (but that don't include all). I can't believe they have lasted this long. It is insane the way things are done. And, I guess they have lowered the limits all across the board because they don't want to lose money as they will eventually disintegrade. So, they will either make consumers spend more in order to talk and make their money fast, or they will not lose as much money when it is time for them to stop doing business. You are not alone, it is sad ($4.85?). May God bless that company, highway robbery.

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Felicia Padgett
Austell, US
Nov 15, 2008 6:18 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I had a block put on my phone for$ 4.85 and I think that is very sad plus the complaint line won't even call me back I hope someone close Global Tel down soonand was spending limit was reduced from $100.00 to $50.00.

ComplaintsBoard
B
7:53 am EDT

Global Tel Link billing dispute / customer service

it is hard to get to customer service to talk to a real person and when you do no one can help you. if it is a billing problem and one has to be transferred to a sprvsr then forget it. you are disconnected, this has happened to me 3 times in one wk. i has $60 in my acct. on june 3, in july they tell me it's gone and that i owe. no one can tell me what happened to my money and i can't talk to anyone, i get cut off. gtl has screwed me out of money before and now they want to do it again. i have no choice but to use gtl and i receive only 4 calls a month at 2.60 a call. where's my $60.00. do the math!

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John
,
Aug 18, 2008 9:56 am EDT

Can not contact the company. I have a balance on my account, and they will not put the call through unless I keep adding more money to it. What can I do ?

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karome
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May 20, 2008 11:26 am EDT

I've just sent an email to one of our local TV stations that have an investigative team to see if they want to start digging into this scam company.

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kelly A Poff
Crescent City, US
Sep 12, 2009 6:03 pm EDT

I have been extremely vexed by the sneaky practices of the phone company with out any warning, and they did this last year too.
mar 2008.
15 minute call $3.50, then without warning it changed
15 munute call 14.00, then it went down to...
June 2008
15 minute call $3.50...
but in march of 2009 it changed without warning to ..
15 minute call $6.00. then My phone was blocked and I had to prepay, and I only owed them 35.00...
...
so I prepaid $25.00...
I gave them my credit card number over the phone, , , , ,
my credit card number to a phone company who I did not trust...
I got one 15 minute call and one 5 minute call and that was it. and they came on the line asking for
another $25.00...
This is all too distressing to me, so I had my
phone turned off and now I have a magic jack.
I am a disabled veteran and I find this
extremely vexing.

ComplaintsBoard
D
7:07 pm EDT

Global Tel Link No Customer Service/No Human Interaction

I have tried for five work days (Monday, 14-July-2017 thru Friday, 18-July-2017) to connect the Global Tellink Billing Department and have not received any call back from any representative to date.
I have placed calls daily, waiting for a representative to respond to my inquiries and no success. The toll-free number Global Tellink provides [protected]) will put you on hold for a maximum of 20-minutes then disconnect the call after informing that the caller's phone number would be put in the queue and to wait 2-hours for a representative to call back; this does not occur.
If a second or subsequent attempt to connect to Global Tellink is tried, the automated response will inform the caller that your number is already in the queue for a call-back and to wait the 2-hour time limit after which the call is automatically disconnected.
The customer service hours are Monday thru Saturday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM but when trying to call in the morning at 7:00 AM, the only response is from the automated response which informs the caller that all service representatives are busy and to please hold for the next available agent...this will result in the caller's number being placed in the call-back queue and the call being disconnected.

There is no actual phone number to call that does not have an automated response, as each toll-free number found results with the same effect of the caller's number being placed inthe call-back queue and the call being terminated.

After reading numerous other complaints for similar issues against Global Tellink, it appears that the FCC and Better Business Bureau need to seriously evaluate the business practices of Global Tellink.
An audit from the GAO (General Accounting Office) appears to be the next step as any business with this many complaints and non-responsiveness is probably having serious issues with their billing practices also.

Hopefully the numerous complaints will register into positive action by all the appropriate governmental oversight bureaus/agencies.

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blessed anyway
Houston, US
Feb 18, 2010 8:21 pm EST

On February 18th, 2017 Global Tellink took $25.00 from my account with out my permission and now they won't return my phone calls or emails. This is ridiculous because they're already making too much money as is by overcharging for phone call. All I want is my money or my phone to be credited the right amount time so I can talk or give me my money back. If that doesn't happen than I will report them to the BBB.

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blasing
Bend, US
Apr 09, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

Every time I attempt to contact Global Tel Link so that I can receive phone calls from an inmate I get an automated voice telling me that they are not able to accept my call because there are too many people on the line.

Finally my call was accepted. And I got another automated voice (yet again) telling me that I had to pay twenty five dollars on my credit card in order to speak with the inmate. Unfortunately I do not own a credit card.

So there is no way for me to talk to the person I love.

ComplaintsBoard
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2:15 pm EDT

Global Tel Link block calls - no representative

on your bill and on the internet they state "our customer service representatives are available to our customers Monday through Friday 7:00am until midnight Eastern Time at [protected].

i do not get a live person. i have paid my bill in full. it is going over three months. my phone is blocked from getting calls. my phone company does not have a block on my phone. it is GTL. you've got your money take off the block. get off the automation and have a live rep.

i am going to the attorney general because this happens everytime. it happened with MCI and now it is happening with GTL.

my phone bill was under $40.00.

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Gordon
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Oct 03, 2008 10:52 am EDT

Hey I have the same problem. I actually got some resolution by calling the numbers on this web site.

http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=Y&compid=132001633#Complaints

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lacy
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Aug 23, 2008 7:46 pm EDT

I think that we should all go to our elected officials and complain about this horrible company. I'm personally tired of hearing that GTL will call me back within 2 hours, and that my phone number is in there automated call back system. I've tried to send money through western union and what to you know it has gotten lost. I was also given a fax # to fax my reciept [protected]. It didn't work, it said it wasn't received. I think I'm going to start by calling my state representative and complain to him. Whatever he tells me to do next then I'll do. Hopefully if enough scammed customers complain something will be done.

ComplaintsBoard
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5:10 pm EDT

Global Tel Link Theft and ignorance!

This is the second time in 2 months that money has been "missing" off the payment my boyfried made. And hes not the only one in his facility that it happened to, all on the same night. They wont listen to him about it, and when I call them, they tell me they have no idea what Im talking about. that an inmate cant put money on their account, yet their web site has it all listed out! what can we do to get the compensation we deserve? I work hard for the money i send him, and pay them plenty in their fees!

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GTLSucks
New Rochelle, US
Feb 25, 2014 8:22 pm EST

I have spent so much on phone calls with this terrible company. Even bought
A phoe number through them which was suppose to help save me money in which
It did not. I recommend getting a google voice # it is free!
I have a $13 balance an.
the system says i have insuffient funds to
Accept the call. I called the company and a Ignorant agent by the name
Of Peter advised me it maybe a "glitch" in their system ringing my phone!
Therefore making it appear as the inmate has called many times. I was told i had
To wait 24 hrs and here we are 24 hrs later and still the same. This is the second time.

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mikreyk61
Red Bank, US
Jul 06, 2013 4:10 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have given $25 to accept calls from niece. I had one 7 minute call and now i am empty. They say $6.25 fee and $2.5 surcharge per call to accept and then .89 a minute. I have 2.80 left but not enough to accept a call! So they just keep it! Unearned!Thieves! that got a contract through bribes. This a license to steal and take advantage of a bad situation. I am certain when an investigation is complete, the people making the $ are guilty of bribery and the people that accepted are guilty of selling out their office. People should absolutely go to jail on this.

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LG
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Nov 04, 2008 5:12 pm EST

For Tiffany I have paid with my debit card and they still said I did not pay After me looking at bank statements which showed they were paid is when they admitted to having a system problem on the day of payment. so if they loose payments through debits imagine western union or anyother payment method. bottom line they need to be shut down

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Tiffany
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Oct 19, 2008 10:04 am EDT

INMATE VOUCHERS:

FRIENDS AND FAMILY FRIENDLY OPTIONS - Prepaid vouchers can be sold via the facility commissary system. Therefore, inmate friends and family can deposit money into the commissary account for the purchase of prepaid vouchers.

LESS MANPOWER REQUIRED - A system administrator will not have to enter debit account deposit amounts at the workstation. By having the inmate "cash" the voucher, this responsibility is shifted to the inmate.

NO THIRD PARTY - The system runs on Global Tel Link´s platform with no third party involvement necessary. As a result, Global Tel*Link does not need to rely on a third party for any aspect of the program ­ including the printing of prepaid vouchers.

SECURITY - Prepaid vouchers can be thrown away after being cashed at an inmate phone. Unlike similar programs, inmates do not have to retain actual cards that can be stolen.

RECONCILIATION REPORTS - Since the prepaid voucher or debit method programs runs on the Global Tel*Link´s platform, LazerPhone® provides detailed, accurate reporting capabilities through the reconciliation reports to manage the Prepaid Debit and the KEEP IN TOUCH Prepaid Voucher programs. These types of reports can be printed via the facility LazerPhone® workstation.

This information came directly from their website...

Is there a possibility of your misunderstanding somethin? Because I am confused of your true issue.

And regarding the individual that western union payment was missing: What information did you provide on the Western Union form? GTL does service county facilities as well as state prisons, so the information provided on the form will determine which system the payment actually posts to.

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lacy
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Aug 23, 2008 7:49 pm EDT

I think that we should all go to our elected officials and complain about this horrible company. I'm personally tired of hearing that GTL will call me back within 2 hours, and that my phone number is in there automated call back system. I've tried to send money through western union and what to you know it has gotten lost. I was also given a fax # to fax my reciept [protected]. It didn't work, it said it wasn't received. I think I'm going to start by calling my state representative and complain to him. Whatever he tells me to do next then I'll do. Hopefully if enough scammed customers complain something will be done. If anyone agrees please let me know.

ComplaintsBoard
M
11:02 am EDT

Global Tel Link Stealing

Global tel link has taken my money and done with it what they wish. I can never talk to customer service representative, and some times the representative just hangs up in my face. Other times the disconnects and will not even ring to a CSR, so you have to call back numerous times and try it over and over again. If I am able to finally get someone after fifteen tries everyday for two or three days straight, the are rude, refuse to correct problem, and they have hung up on me. I have been over charged, I have been stolen from and they have taken additional funds out of a prepaid account that was not supposed to happen. As well they authorized a charge on my credit card that I did not allow, and it was their mistake and did not take it off. They have refused to solve my problem, when I have been patient.

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Why The Long Faces
Why The Long Faces
, US
Mar 31, 2013 4:56 pm EDT

It sucks when you go to jail and actually have to pay for something doesn't it?

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sagw
mt airy, US
Mar 31, 2013 4:32 pm EDT

THEY MUST BLOCK OUR PHONE NUMBERS, BECAUSE I CANNOT GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM EITHER, CONS CALL HOME/ MESSAGE SAYS TO CALL GOBLE TEL LINK THEY MUST BE WORKING TOGETHER. MY SON HAS TRIED THE NUMBER AND IT CONNECTS TO MY PHONE, '''''but the message is COLLECT CALLS CANNOT BE RECEIVED ON THIS PHONE TO CALL [protected] takes you to global tel link DO NOT TRUST "cons call home" and possibly Global.

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clarie phillips
San Pablo, US
Nov 02, 2012 7:45 pm EDT

This is a bunch of crap. I've tried for days to try and get on the system. My son keeps calling me and when I try and sign in NOTHING HAPPENS. THEY DO HAVE MY CREDIT CARD NUMBER CAUSE EA. TIME I TRY AND GET ON TO SIGN UP I HAVE TO ENTER IT. I HAD BETTER NOT SEE THESE CHARGES ON ANY OF MY BILLS. THIS OUTFIT SHOULD BE IN SAN QUINTEN FOR 10 YRS. UNLESS IT'S THE DAMN HURRICANE. I AM IN CALIFORNIA. I WANT TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. BUT I NEED TO CONNECT WITH MY SON. GEEZUZ. I REFUSE TO RECOMMEND THIS SERVICE...SO CALLED. TO ANYWAY.
NO THANK YOU. claire

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mis1
, US
Feb 06, 2011 8:25 am EST

gtl do suck I did tried them put 25 on my phone talk three times and that was all ... then had to pay services fees scew them

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Me787
, US
Sep 14, 2010 11:04 am EDT

Globaltellink is Garbage...There Scam Artist...They take ur hard earned money and do with it whatever they want...There customer service SUCKS!...There actual services SUCK! and there WAYYYYYYYYYYY to expensive... There representatives are [censored]bags and i despise the entire company.

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behind bars
, US
Mar 04, 2010 6:42 pm EST

this is the first time I ever had to deal with this, back in the day inmates could just call and you would either accept or not, but now everything as changed . Is there someone else they can deal with, because they are rude and very quick to give you an answer before you can even finish your question. I'm affarid that if they don't find a reliable company that we the people will end up behind bars!

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sagw
mt airy, US
Feb 06, 2010 3:47 pm EST

I have tried for a week to get in touch with Global. No one answers or the line is busy?
"We are experiencing large call volumne? " All I get is a recording or no answer!
We need a reliable phone service we can trust and not a fly by night company. I felt this company was questionalbe after I could not get a copy of calls made to me by my son on the internet. A call was made and I received a copy by mail. The information did not look professional.
Does anyone know a reliable service that can be used for inmates?
I'm watching my credit card for any suspicous charges .?
WHAT CAN WE DO?
DO WE NEED TO CONTACT OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE?

address iof gtl ----box 173875, denver co 80217----if someone in the postal service could look up you applied for this po box # maybe there's a name and address attached.?

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rootbeerfloat044
Syracuse, US
Feb 02, 2010 8:52 pm EST

i agree my step son is in jail and they just ripped us off for 20.00 of are debit card and when i call gtl they say some one will call you back but you no they do not call i wish some one can help but i no i am going to look in to it i will write the paper why should we keep paying out money and it does not show you payed it we can not keep paying out money to put in there pocket i think they put it in there pocket and take it home for kfc they should pay us for all the calling we do to get them to pick up the phone to talk to us and put up with them takeing from us this crazy i want all my money back out of there pocket i hope they give us a new company

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Nellie Adams
Ponce de Leon, US
Jan 27, 2010 8:45 am EST

I agree that they are not easy to deal with. My ex-husband had a problem with them last year and it seems that I am having a problem with them now, January, 2010. They blocked my phone without even telling me anything. My son could not get through to me. When I called the number they left on the phone and asked why they blocked my phone, they said it was because we used more than $200 in a 90 day period. Dah, who knew this was a rule. I have never had any contact with this company although the supervisor told me that I have had contact with the company (because I accept the collect call). This supervisor would not listen to my story which was that we did use the phone more in December because my son had not talked to his sons in three years until this year when they visited me. His ex-wife cannot afford to receive call with the exorbant amounts that this company charges. And now they want me to pay another $6.95 each time I give them money. No thank you. I am writing to everyone, maybe even FOX News. You really wonder who is the criminal here, ones in prison or on the outside.

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mrs.williams
Hot Springs, US
Jan 09, 2010 6:18 pm EST

these people are nothing but theives i say we call our congressman and turn them in. they have to investigate your complaint.

ComplaintsBoard
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10:30 am EDT

Global Tel Link Poor service, lousy website, false advertisement

These people are the worst and they make MCI look like a 5 star hotel resort. Everytime you call you are placed on hold while they urge you to leave a call back number and after 3 such messages they put on it automatically. Yesterday, I called them and when they called back they hung up after one ring. I call back and the message says I am already on the list. I waited 4 hours and called again only to find out they had closed.

When it was MCI I had a 650.00 credit line, with this company only a 100.00 and without warning they block your phone. Their advance pay is a scam too, because right off the top comes a 9.50 charged paid to Western Union. Currently I am on hold, but I can't even hear a message which, leads me to believe they are closed. Their site shows no hour of operations nor is there an option to email them.

Basically they have you by the b*lls and there is nothing you can do about it. My phone is not due until August 4th and since they bill through AT&T I may be forced to use advance pay.

Their site makes wonderful claims but when it comes time to produce they are nowhere to be found!

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tana
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Jul 30, 2008 5:25 pm EDT

i Hate global tellink! has anyone figured out how to shut these people down? is there another company to go through besides them? i will be turning them in to the BBB and see where that goes...

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M
2:00 pm EDT

Global Tel Link Dishonest phone service

Fort Bend County Jail has reported that they do not cut off phone calls in progress, but rather have specific time periods that the phones are turned on for inmates to make collect calls and pre-paid calls to private phones. Most of the phone calls I have received from an inmate over the past (11) eleven days have ranged from 1-4 minutes and my party and I have been abruptly disconnected within that time frame. I spoke with a very nice representative of Globel Tel Link, Mobile, Alabama 6/10/08 (one representative of rare good service with this company) and she informed me of the rates per (15) minutes, (15) minutes being the time alloted for each phone call. Yet, we rarely were given the full (15) minutes talk time before being cut off, and it wasn't the County Jail who activated this. While 4-6 minutes of talk time costs almost as much as a full (15) minutes, we are not given the opportunities to talk the full time. This is theft by time.

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TAY
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May 29, 2008 10:42 am EDT

They took my money from my card. 25$ and set up the wrong account. Once I realized that my husband was still unable to call. I call them back and they tell me that I have to have 50$ on the account to activate it. I give them 25$ more dollars to activate the account. He is still unable to call. I call them back again oh and each time that I call the agents are rude and I am ALWAYS left on hold for a long time. So once I have the 50$ on the account my husband is still not able to call. I call Globel Tel Link AGAIN. This time I am told that the account was set up wrong again. So now I have had this account for about a week and my husband is still not able to get through. So I call Globel Tel Link AGAIN. This time I want to cancel the account and I get a different story each time that I call them. They told me that I could set up the correct account with the 50$ credit that I have on my account. I say "no" to that I want my money credited back to my Visa. I was told that it would take 30 days to get my money back on my VISA. I feel that they are scammers to get the money and it takes forever to get my money back on my card. Meanwhile I am still not able to speak to my husband. THIS PLACE SUCKS DON'T USE THEM!

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joyce vanderhorst gambl;e
Patchogue, US
Aug 08, 2009 8:26 pm EDT

paid the bill 8/05/09 my phone is still blocked as of 8/08/09.. my husband is upset we cant talk .. we need to talk... thank GOD i ws able to visit him today.. waiting for my phone to be put on... mrs gamble very upset

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james p taylor
Carlton, US
May 27, 2010 8:02 pm EDT

BEWARE... this company is a rip off..they are quick to take your payments, but are to greedy to refund or transfer balances, they have lots of b.s. and no respect for you or your loved ones.stay away, write its cheaper .. i can"t believe this place is still allowed to operate and not in jail themselves...

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meikouna
Cranston, US
Jun 20, 2012 8:56 am EDT

EVERYONE!... There appears to be a common theme of complaints regarding Globel-Tel across the globe. Perhaps everyone should join together and get a petition together to be filed with the FCC and also sent to all of your elected officials. GTL is governed by the FCC and even though those ### are all getting a kick back they still can't ignore their Constituents who have banned together to demand that GTL improve their services or get them the hell out. On top of that a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT should be considered where you demand they pay back all the monies they have stolen from friends and families of those who are forced to use their services because GTL has monopolize the Correctional Facility Phone Systems. Put all your energy into giving these Crooks a royal smack down. Additionally, the other scam they have going is if you use like say Google Voice to have access to a local number and forward that number to your phone, they are causing these calls to be dropped or have faulty connection. When you report it they act as though they are going to resolve or fix the problem but their scam is to keep this going until you get frustrated and have your love ones call your long distance number so they can now charge you for the those long distance calls. Don’t give into them……DEMAND that GTL be held responsible ….they are commenting a serious crime…. They the executives of GTL should all be held accountable and SERVE PRISON TIME FOR THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIONS…….

zoloftn151
zoloftn151
, US
Aug 08, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

Maybe should pay your bill on time next billing cycle? I don't understand how this is a complaint? Its a weekend. Maybe waiting for a check to clear?

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Danie
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Oct 11, 2008 5:47 pm EDT

Globel Tel Link has the most horribly rude employees! I was speaking with a loved one in a facility in Spokane, Wa. We were cut off for the use of three way. I NEVER used three way! I was on a cell phone, with a bad signal. It took me hours to track down numbers to talk to customer service, and then they told me it was my fault for using three way. I am angry with this company and our govenment for contracting such a poorly operated business. My children, could do a better job! Globel Tel Link is a joke!

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Lance Monlux
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Jun 13, 2008 12:26 pm EDT

Globel Tel Link is the worst. They only stay in business by, sharing the savings they are obtaining by not employing a customer service work force, with the institutions they service. Please complain to your institution about this service, it stinks!

ComplaintsBoard
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5:08 am EDT

Global Tel Link Strong arm tactics

I am a law abiding citizen. I have never been in trouble with the law and pay my bills on time. However Global tel link treats those who have a loved one in prison as if they are the one who can't be trusted. Guilt by association. After 2 months of receiving calls and paying my bill on time they put a block on my phone. First they told me I would just have to send them a copy of my phone bill showing the bill was in my name. That was a lie, after I sent them the bill I was told that I would have to pay them $100.00 in advance in order to take the block off my phone. Why, I was never late paying my phone bill in fact I paid it weeks before the due date. As for the post from the employee of Global tel link wanting me to thank him or her for providing a service, well THANKS FOR NOTHING!

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Dharmendar Singh
Birmingham, GB
Nov 06, 2011 4:12 pm EST

hi.. my name is dharmendar singh, , wants to know about the customer service number or a toll free number to register my complaint for Global tele link noida, , new delhi bcoz i have to recharge my account for further calling. plz anyone help me out of this problem...

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I WNT MY MONEY WORTH
Albany, US
Jun 14, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

I do Agree with all of you's that are having trouble with GTL! Let me start with saying on top of the CSR being crappy u cant tlk to any one on the weekends WTF. I used to get billed straight through my local telphone company but they switch and GTL took over they give u a 100 dollar limit @ almost 4.00 a call I been having a reason to believe that they were charging me for calls that I wasn't having I would add money to my acct, talk to my love 1 twice then my phone will blocked again! HUH hw does that work ! There exscuse to me was ohhhhhh it takes 24hrs for the system to updated so the balance they give me might not be accurate? So I decided to wait a complete 48 hr without excepting any phone calls and long behold 11.00 was added on to my account Im beyond pissed and to top things off it's a saturday and I cant talk to any one about it! Hw the hell do i get my mney bck? all the times I freak out when my phone was blocked and just added mney on my acct! Just to make sure I could communicate with my love 1. It's not easy having some one that we love incarcerated and they treat us like crap rip us off I could only imagine hw many other times this happen to me and other people! I Would like to Knw WERE THE HELL R THEY LOCATED SO I COULD TAKE A TRip. M.S PISSED

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KBlake
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Aug 08, 2008 9:53 pm EDT

This is the absolute WORST system I have ever seen. The customer service is the worst. The charges are unbelievable. Your unable to change or update any information with the billing and that makes it impossible to talk to your loved ones in prison. I am willing to pay these ridiculous fees and they can't even help me when I want to spend my money to pay them- that's how twisted they are. Prison sucks and then to deal with these ###s on top of it is THE WORST! They are making SOOOO much money off these phone calls. Almost $5 a call and you can't even provide adequate service. GTL should have people 24/7 ready to take care of their customers. We are paying way too much for the WORST phone service in the country. GTL can suck my ###!

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Dan
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Jul 26, 2008 4:57 pm EDT

Same problems as everyone else who has posted. They billed me twice on the same day. When I recieved my visa statement I called Global Tel immediately. They gave me a fax number and said to make it to the Attention of the Refund department. Well so far I have tried 4 different fax numbers to no avail. The numbers fail to connect. They also told me when I finally did talk to a human that they are showing I was only billed twice, while my Visa statement is saying 3 times. I needed to talk to my family member and as far as I know this was the only way available to us. What choice did I have. I am still on my mission to get this resolved, but like most others I don't have all day to wait around for them to decide to call me back. Good luck to everyone else in the same boat. another unhappy customer.

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8:34 am EDT

Global Tel Link Correctional billing

They took my money from my card. 25$ and set up the wrong account. Once I realized that my husband was still unable to call. I call them back and they tell me that I have to have 50$ on the account to activate it. I give them 25$ more dollars to activate the account. He is still unable to call. I call them back again oh and each time that I call the agents are rude and I am ALWAYS left on hold for a long time. So once I have the 50$ on the account my husband is still not able to call. I call Globel Tel Link AGAIN. This time I am told that the account was set up wrong again. So now I have had this account for about a week and my husband is still not able to get through. So I call Globel Tel Link AGAIN. This time I want to cancel the account and I get a different story each time that I call them. They told me that I could set up the correct account with the 50$ credit that I have on my account. I say "no" to that I want my money credited back to my Visa. I was told that it would take 30 days to get my money back on my VISA. I feel that they are scammers to get the money and it takes forever to get my money back on my card. Meanwhile I am still not able to speak to my husband. THIS PLACE SUCKS DON'T USE THEM!

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Mike
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Jun 04, 2008 4:03 am EDT

Good luck trying to cancel service once you don't need it any more. A month ago we finally got to talk to a real person after an hour of trying to get through. We were told to fax our request to cancel and was given the fax number.

Well here it is a month later and guess what, still not cancelled! We tried again to get them on the phone but after two hours of fustration (disconnects, waiting for a rep going through the automated system ect.) we gave up. I faxed a second request today and told them that my next step was the Alabama State Attorney General's office.

Maybe we'll get results. For anyone that may not have the faz number here it is:

[protected]

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9:09 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Global Tel Link - I work at Global Tel Link

I would like to start off by saying that i was very surprised to see this complaint site. As much as i see where people are coming from, you must first remember that Global Tel Link is providing you with service to talk to an inmate. If there were not companies like this, you would need to write letters. The reason that your accounts are set up are because...

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5:48 am EDT

Global Tel Link Check cashing

I dont understand how the DOC can continue to use this company with all of the complaints lodged against it, I had my phone blocked by GTL for a bill they said wasnt paid, I sent the check in April for that bill, they cashed the check through there bank in april and to date they are still showing I still owe the money I have spoken to seven different people trying to resolve my problem with no results, not to mention the hours I have spent on the phone just trying to speak to someone is the DOC paying any attention to the problems people are having with this company or they just dont care

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Jesus Christ .
Memphis, US
Aug 17, 2012 6:07 am EDT

I do not know why these prisons are using GTL because they are like you said using people and getting over on them. This is a company who is suppose to help inmates to receive phone calls from love ones, but instead they are taking advantage of the inmates and family. I put money on the phone and if it runs out they are not suppose to allow phone calls to come throught. Well guess what they allow calls to come throught anyway because they want the money. Next thing I know I have a high phone bill. If I could check my account to see how much money I have on the account this would not happen. They do not care about us like I said they just want our money. I now go through a better company and I can check my balances on-line and if the amount is 2.00dollars or less they put a block on the phone until I send more money in. They need to drop GTL because they are not no good. For familys out there that have not talked with their son or daughter or husband and wife look this needs to stop now. Someone needs to protest against this company GTL. I had a friend who had a child close to her and she tried to set up account they told her that they could not set up the account because of her address, They said that people are using addresses so that they don't have to pay a high phone bill. Man oh Man is is unreal that a company will do this, it is not like they are getting free phone calls they still have to send money in for the account. What is wrong with this company she has a phone bill showing her address and they still refused. I thought this company is suppose to help the inmates receive calls. No they just want the money. I would never go back to GTL as long as I have a love one inside there. No wonder inmates are getting or trying to get cell phones into the prisons.

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1:16 pm EDT

Global Tel Link scam

i went to this site thinking it was a fast easy way to get a account set up for inmate to call and i got scam out my money. when i called the 1 800 # no one called me back and i will never use this site again

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Roxie Howser
, US
Apr 26, 2011 2:05 pm EDT

Our grandson calls us collect several times a month and the facility he calls from uses Global Tel Link. We use AT&T for our long distance carrier and pay our bill monthly. Global Tel Link tells us their company policy is to bill the party directly when charges are $100 or more. Our phone company always accepts our payment. What is the deal here? They say their charges won't be any more than AT&T would charge. I doubt that or why are they insisting to bill us themselves? Or are they getting a cut somewhere along the line for heavy usage at the consumers expense or inconvenience of having to pay another bill? Someone should look into this.

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inmate84681
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May 29, 2008 7:32 pm EDT

I have had it with this company! This company treats customers like they are hardin criminals, who dont deserve common curticy, and assistance. Do they not understand that the inmates have put us threw enough, and people on the outside are just trying to be suportive to there family and friend while they are being rehabed or possibley even in the prison system because they have been wrongly accused. Instead of being helpful to paying customers, they treat us like ### because they can. some prisons have no alternatives for phone call, leaving customers no alternatives to have contact with inmates. They know we have no choice but to use there service, so they know they are getting paid no matter how bad there company ethics are.

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3:55 pm EDT

Global Tel Link Unauthorized charges!

Company charged me twice when i only made one transaction. The first time i called in the automated system said my card was declined when there was more than enough money in the bank then i called again and it said approved. Well it charged me twice then when i called cust svce about it the said they couldn't see where i was charged twice and said they were holding my funds when in actuality the money was drafted from my account. The second time i was charged out of the blue for a payment that i didn't even make then they tell you to fax over bank statement to a "somebody"that you cant even call. Rip off!

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Gordon
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Oct 03, 2008 10:54 am EDT

Call the numbers on this web site. I got right through to corporate offices, skipped thier cheesey chustomer Service

http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=Y&compid=132001633#Complaints

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Kelly
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Jul 07, 2008 7:24 pm EDT

I agree with all of the complaints that I had read on here. They got really bad service, people that work there got such bad attitudes, and they are very very very rude. I feel like I got scam so many times.

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kasia426
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May 21, 2008 7:11 am EDT

The same thing happened to me on 4 occasions totaling $400.00. I am currently contacting the FCC and a lawyer to file suit for the money. I faxed my statement over to a supervisor named Mrs. Hendricks and never heard back. This was in april. I am sick of this ###. This company needs to be regulated!

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5:30 pm EDT

Global Tel Link Customer Service

I was not surprised to see all the complaints about Global Tel Link but I was surprised to see that many people have stories much worse than mine. I have been dealing with the company for two years and it seems absurd that I have had to go through the horrible things they have put me through just so I can pay them outrageous amounts of money for this kind of treatment. It seems as though they don't care how much business they lose which leads me to believe that they have so much they can afford to lose it. They have us right where they want us. Begging for them to allow us the privilege of being their customer so that we may receive calls from our loved ones.
When I was searching for information about the company so that I could file a complaint I found advertisement for the service geared toward the correctional facilities. It seems that they are concerned with monitoring phone calls to collect evidence against inmates and also ways to make money for the facilities who allow their phones to be placed in those facilities. This must be why we have to pay such a high price to speak to our loved ones. So that not only Global Tel Link but also the correctional facilities can make money from the hard times of others. I'm sure if my loved one was making phones calls that divulged evidence that would be useful to the prosecuters my phone calls would never be blocked or cut short.

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Melba
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Jun 03, 2008 7:23 am EDT

I was charged double on my card and instread of the customer service rep telling me it was a sytem error she blamed it on me and while I was telling what I thought happened and that it may be a system error she put me on hold while I was talking and never came back! That is horrible and I will take this to the better business bureau!

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Latoya
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Aug 28, 2008 6:55 am EDT

I've been using this company for collect calls since they took over MCI, and I must say that the service that I've been receiveing is not commendable at all. From the day that I first opened the account I had difficulties. To open the account they wanted me to fax over a current phone bill, and allow 3-4 business days for processing. I waited, and called for an account status, and my fax was never recieved. After hours of talking to different representatives, I was informed that I was given the wrong fax number. So I had paid $6.00 to transmit this fax, and now my personal information was floating around somewhere. Nothing was done about the inconvenience that they incurred. I mean I could go on with the complaints of unsatisfactory service I've received with this company. Due to the fact that they are the only company that offers this service, they tend to ignore certain customer issues. As the consumer I can say that it is very unfair for us, to have to pay for a service that we are unhappy with, and not be able to put a stop to it.

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rmetz
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Nov 15, 2008 2:03 pm EST

I am a telamarketer and if we would allow people to sit on the phone for as long as I do when I try to reach a LIVE person at global tel link. Well needless to say I wouldn't have to worry about takeing the collect calls from the jail because I would be with out a job and would not be able to pay for them. Global tel link is a very poorly run business. But if you make millions off those of us that relie on those collect calls why worry if you are just adding to someone pain. I currently have two step-sons and a bother in a correctional faciliality and would like to know why my Collect calls have been blocked and I am unable to take collect calls it all must now be prepaid. -Rmetz

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S. Lynn Davidson
Mulberry, US
Mar 20, 2010 10:29 am EDT

It irates me that I am somebody who was born in this country, have worked since the age of 14, graduated high school and even taken some further education courses, am working full-time and a grateful wife and mother, pay bills on time, yet live month to month in this struggling economy and suddenly out of the blue receive a voice recording telling me that I have reached my limit on collect calls for a 30day period!
Now I cannot receive a collect call from my brother, after having received collect calls uninterupted for more than 8yrs!
Devastated upon hearing this recording just 3days ago, I immediately contacted my residential phone service to see if there was anything they could do to rectify the situation, but was advised that I must contact Global Tel Link directly as it was this company that blocked my calls. So I tried, only to receive yet another recording saying that they were experiencing an extremely high call volume and could not accept my call at that time, that I would have to try again later. What? Yes. So, I tried again, getting the same message for 3days continuously! Finally, this morning, I decided to start as early as I possibly could calling this number, [protected], and reached a different recording. This time I selected English as the language, and held for 45mins. until reaching a man named "John", who really couldn't help me and patched me over to "Tiffany", his supervisor, who really couldn't help me, either.
I didn't want to complain in the first place, just have my phone unblocked so that I could receive a collect call from my brother.
But John told me that I had received more than $50 in collect charges within a 30day period, the procedure was that a block be placed on my phone, and my only option now was to prepay. To understand this fully, you see, I am now being informed that I will receive a bill containing more than $50 in collect charges for this past month, and Global Tel Link wants me to prepay now, right now, in order to continue to receive collect calls from my brother. I don't have money to prepay. It's not in the budget. But if they would unblock my phone then I could continue paying my bills as I always do.
After reading some complaints upon arriving to this webpage, I see that some have experienced no refunds for prepays not used. And I noticed somebody else being forced to prepay and be billed again on their regular phone bill! Now I am outraged as we, myself and my fellow Americans, are being bullied, taken advantage of, and blindsided by some company put in a place in which to do so by our own government!
What should be done?

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Mrs. Fernandez
Harrisonburg, US
Oct 26, 2009 2:01 am EDT

Lana I am going through the same situation, they told me the same thing they don't accept vonage and I told them my friend has vonage and she gets calls through gtl. I went out and got a land line phone then they told me I had to fax my phone bill did that then someone else there told me that I can use vonage I faxed that and I am still waiting for my service to get started. Seems like they will never start it.

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joe william
BLOOMINGBERG, US
Apr 14, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

my phone line is blocked by global tel link, I can recieve calls from son nor can I get through to speak with
global tel. why don, t someone do something about this rogue company? this is America, this i type of
company is not alowded to operate in a free society! is it?

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william garlock
Mount Union, US
Mar 24, 2009 5:07 pm EDT

I am being charged on my verizon phone bill for the exact paymenys i am on account with global tel link i need this matter taken care of immediatly .please respond sincerly william garlock [protected]

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john
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Nov 15, 2008 2:31 pm EST

i hear you man iam a prof fundraiser in ct for a co in nj .if i was like these ### id be in jail

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LF
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Oct 10, 2008 4:34 pm EDT

I totally agree with you Latoya. They are ridiculously rude. They gave me the wrong information stating that you had to have a land line telephone (from the pole) in order to recieve inmate calls-no cell phone or digital phone service (vonage, etc). So I went out and had AT&T installed into my home. They would not approve the land line because the inmates name was on the bill. Come to find out that 3 months that some stupid customer service person gave me the wrong information. Globel tel does accept vonage, you just have to fax over the bill to register the line-which I still have not heard back from customer service. How can they be so rude and give out false info like this and get away with it? Now I have 3 telephone lines(digital, land, cell) and still am not getting any calls from my brother. Maybe it is just better to write, I know its cheaper and less frustrating!

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Joannie
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Oct 02, 2008 8:43 pm EDT

I agree totally. I have been trying to get in touch with customer service and it is the worst service ever.

When my father contacted me this afternoon, the recording stated that I did not have enough funds meanwhile when he contacted me this morning I had $16.00 left. Now whe attempted to communicate with me this evening, he was able to get through.

I plan to complain to both the attorney general's office as well as my congressman about this co. I feel they overcharging taking advantage of the situation.

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6:32 am EDT

Global Tel Link Double billing!

I have been dealing with Global Tel Link For a few months now and they are a total ripoff. they Constantly Bill me twice for the same phone calls. They bill me through their company and then bill me through my regular phone company which is Verizon. I am going in debt trying to pay both and they always act as though they do not know what is going on. Then there are constant blocks put on my phone and my finance can not get through. Who can you contact to get this stuff cleared up. This just does not make any sense!

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PAUL CLARK & KELLIE MILITE
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Jun 09, 2008 8:31 am EDT

THIS COMPANY IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH . I SPENT MANY HOURS TRYING TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE AS THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY RE-ROUTED MY CALLS TO A SERVICE THAT PROMISES TO RETURN YOUR CALLS AND NEVER DOES. THERE IS NO SUPERVISORS AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO OR AN ALTERNATE SUPERIOR TO HELP RESOLVE ISSUES. I PAID MY BILL WITH A FRIEND'S CREDIT CARD. THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT BUT, WITHDREW THE MONEY 3 TIMES FROM MY FRIENDS ACCOUNT CAUSING HIM A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AS WELL AS BOUNCED CHECK FEE'S TOTALLING OVER $300.00. I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A $95.00 PYMNT. THE BANK SHOWS GLOBAL TEL LINK HAS WITHDRAWN THE MONEY. GTL SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY AND THE BANK DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY THAT THE MONEY IS IN THE "AIR". IT IS AGAINST GTL'S POLICY TO USE SOMEONE ELSES CREDIT CARD BUT YET THEY STILL TOOK THE MONEY. THEY SAID IT COULD TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO GET THE MONEY RESTORED TO THE BANK. MY GTL PHONE ACCOUNT IS STILL SHOWING A NEGATIVE BALANCE AND HAS A BLOCK ON MY PHONE AND WE ARE OUT OF $300.00. I SEE A "CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" IN GTL'S FUTURE. ATTORNEY'S FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I AM IRATE!

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Ingrid
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May 21, 2008 7:21 am EDT

I do agree with you. The cost of the calls are more than calling overseas. There are 2 calls with a
60 min total, the charges are $6.24. Where did they get payment of $132.60 and the bill is
paid in full every month. This company is a complete rip off.

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3:55 pm EDT

Global Tel Link CORRECTIONS BILLING

I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MCI/GLOBALT TEL LINK FOR AWHILE. THEY DO HAVE VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. MOST OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT ANSWER THE PHONE ARE NOT JOB ORIENTED NR ENGLISH SPEAKINGH. THEY GET ATTITUDES WHEN YOU ARE THE PURCHASER OF THEIR PRODUCT. I WOULD EXPECT MORE HOSPITABLE PERSONS.
THERE ARE SO MANY ERRORS COMPLETED BY THEM. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR 2 YEARS NOW TO GET MY PHONE SERVICE CHANGED OVER INTO MY NAME. INSTEAD THEY MAKE ME GO TO WESTERN UNION TO PAY A BILL IN SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME.
THEIR PRICES ARE TOO HIGH FOR THE 15 MIN YOU RECEIVED FROM THE FACILITIES. THEY CHARGE YOU THE REGULAR RATE EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT TALKED YOUR FULL 15MIN AND THE PHONE HUNG UP SOME SORT OF WAY ON THEIR END. THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO HEAR IT. PLEASE DON'T TRY TO ESCALATE IT BECASUE THEY WILL HANG UP ON YOU PURPOSELY OR PASS THE PHONE TO SOMEONE WHOM IS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THAT PERSON AND IS NOT A SUPERVISOR.

SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS COMPANY.

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Jesxplayer
Snellville, US
Jun 24, 2010 9:55 pm EDT

Global Tel Link is a service enforced by a system ran on money. If you have poor credit or no credit established at all, this company will easily scam you. Needless to say, it has it perks of cheaper calls but with cheaper calls come bad service. It is a way that a company can easily take your money without jails having to deal with collect call charges and limits to airtime themselves. If your state has a pdf file online, you can probably see the rates and information if you google "Global Tel Link (Your State)". That is really the best you can do since there is no other way of contacting your love ones from jail. I am going through the same hassle now.

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Angel12345
Homestead, US
Aug 19, 2009 1:11 pm EDT

I AGREE WITH EVERY COMMENT THAT WAS POSTED. GLOBAL TEL LINK DOES HAVE ONE OF THE WORST REPUTATION IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY OVERCHARGE ON THE CONNECTION FEE INLCUDING TAXES AND THE COST PER MINUTE FOR A CALL. IF THERE IS NO FUND IN THE ACCOUNT, THE CALL WILL NOT CONNECT UNLESS YOU ADD MONEY TO THE ACCOUNT. HOWEVER, THEY WILL ARGUE WITH THE CUSTOMER (MYSELF) AND TELL ME THAT I OWE THEM MONEY FROOM A PREVIOUS CALL OR SEVERAL OTHER CALLS. HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE AT ALL? THEY DON'T CONNECT YOU AT ALL IF THERE'S NO FUND BUT YET I DO THEM MONEY. THE CALL DISCONNECTS WHEN THERE'S NO MORE FUNDS LEFT IN THE ACCOUNT SO HOW CAN I GO OVER MY MINUTES. AND THEY DO HANG UP ON YOU IF YOU TRY TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING TO THEM AND WILL HAND OVER THE CALL TO THEIR NEIGHBORING REP WHO WILL TELL YOU THE SAME EXACT THING, AND WORST OF ALL TO TELL YOU THAT HE/SHE IS A SUPERVISOR. THEY ARE A PACK OF UNEDUCATED ###S WORKING IN THERE. i WILL REPORT THEM TO THE BBB. THANKS.

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Wendy Beible
Etters, US
May 25, 2009 8:33 am EDT

Global Tel Link is one of the worst third party phone companies I have ever had to deal with. The customer service department is terrible. They love to say "I don't know. Duh, I am a Global Tel Link customer service rep and I am stupid".
We were just billed for four months of telephone calls from our daughter at a correctional facility. Before that we were billed monthly and now we have a HUGH telephone bill to deal with. I cannot find a job but now I want to be a supid customer service rep for Global Tel Link so I can get paid to be able to pay this bill.
It took 2 hours and 45 minutes to "discuss" this issue with them and I was told by Zack Oper. #0011 that I am the only person that this has happened to. I'm going to play the lottery today with those odds. How can I get rid of these idiots?

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Lisa Cole
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Nov 28, 2008 9:19 am EST

I have to agree with others. I have been recieving $300 to $400 phone bills for 3 years with MCI and when they switched to Global Tel-Link, my bill was $50 and they blocked my number. They said I didn't pay the bill and I hadn't even recieved a bill and when I asked for my bill, it took them another 2 months before they finally sent it and then wanted a deposit to unblock my number. That was there error and I think they were to high and also charged the entire 15 mins. reguardless of how long you talk to the inmate. I think that it shouldn't cost this much to talk to your loved one's in a correctional facility.

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Kathy Green
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Oct 10, 2008 1:31 pm EDT

I agree with all the complaints that I have read to date. It has been my unfortunate experience to have had only 2 dealings with this company to date. My 4 year old grandson is suffering in all of this. I have had my phone blocked 2 times now so that my son could not call me from prison. I was not even told that the block was placed. Another inmates family called to tell me what was going on. Needless to say my son was very upset that he could not get his calls through to his son. I was told by this company that I had to use their billing service or I would not recieve any calls from my son period. The company also told me that my calls are limited to 100.00 per month and then the phone is blocked until I pay the bill. If I want to go over that amount I have to place a 50.00 deposit. I had another outside phone carrier and have been paying my bill with unlimited amounts of calls. Like other complaints I have too have experienced interruptions in service by the automated messages. It causes a lose of about 2 or more minutes of our conversation from the limited 15 minute call. You are unable to talk to your loved one during these extra messages. I ask why did I accept the charges with the same message at the very beginning of the call just to be interrupted 2 more times. I'm sure that my bill includes those loses of minutes. I too have experienced the rudeness of the employees they take it personal when you question the company practice. In my opinion this company has a monoply on the prison phone systems and something needs to be done. I have notified the Attoney General's Office in Ohio to investigate this company. If there is any justice in the world I know that the Attorney Generals Office can do something.

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jonda
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May 13, 2008 10:01 am EDT

you would think they would make it easyer on us to talk to are child, yes they have made a mistake, and they are paying for it, , we are all stuffering because of it, , iam a single mother and have had a hard time financially, but if my son didnt get to call home and talk to me and the family how would he act in there .it makes him deal with the prison life a little better just getting to talk to us, , you would think they would lower the price on the phone calls, but they are taking advantage of a poor loving mother, , jonda, , pedro ohio

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5:25 pm EST

Global Tel Link Global rip off!

Global Tel Link has blocked my home phone line even though my loved one buys pre paid phone cards from the jail and i have never had any type of an account with them. I have called the number they left and i always get a message saying that they can not answer my call right now due to an unusual high volume of calls, once i did get an option for them to call me back at my home number. I pushed 1 for yes, but i haven't heard from anybody yet. It's been 4 months since i last spoke to my loved one on the phone you can not have it both ways GTL i will be filing a complaint with the BBB.

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arvajw
Winston-Salem, US
Apr 22, 2010 8:01 am EDT

I am angered by the business practices of Global-Tel Link. I am even more angered by the monopoly this company has on the prison system in the United States. I am researching legal action. My name is Arva Whittaker, . Something must be done; too many people are voicing the same complaints.

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Tiffany
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Oct 19, 2008 3:55 pm EDT

Global Tel Links billing cycle is from the 26th of one month until the 25th of another. So if you were calling about a call that was placed on May 5th, then it would NOT appear on whatever invoice that you were to have, it would appear on the next invoice. So the representative that you spoke with gave you the correct information. The billing cycle or billing period for all invoices that you recieve are visible on right at the top of the page!

It really is funny to me the ridiculousness of some of these complaints, this issue is VERY easily resolved by simply LOOKING AT THE INVOICE!

The due date is also visible on your invoice, which is the 24th of each month. It also clearly states because I am looking at MY invoice as I"m writing this: that payments sent by mail can take 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS to post to your account, if the payment is not recieved by the 24th your line can/will be blocked for non-payment. If you make your payment through Western Union, to allow 4-48 hours for the payment to process and post.

In my personal experience the quickest and most effective way to actually post a payment is by using a credit card.

So this complaint that you state your are going to file is an absurb waste of time! the PUC, the FCC and the BBB have legitimate complaints to actually follow up on and yours is NOT since all of the information is provided to you in writing.

There are enough frivolous lawsuits pending without you adding one to the mix.

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maria
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May 21, 2008 7:07 pm EDT

GTL sucks

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tray
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May 05, 2008 5:55 am EDT

I agree with all your comments- I have had enough of Global Tel Link and their ignorance. I spoke to a n0n-english speaking "representative" today that told me the bill is sent out every month at the end of the month and payment is due on the 24th of the month- yet I was told today- May 5th -that the bill for this cycle has not yet been sent out- yet they still expect their payment on time. After 30 mins of round and round I asked to speak to a supervisor becuase they are telling me my payments are being received late( which is BS) and they have blocked my line AGAIN. I was told the administrative offices of GTL do not have a phone number- amazing! How do they conduct business without a phone? I am sending a comlaint to the Commissions of NYS Dept of Corrections and the ATT. General. These people are rip off artists and they need to be stopped! They treat people who have loved ones that are incarcerated like ###- this is the real world- good people make mistakes in life- we are all human-that does not mean they should be treated like dogs! Don't stay silent people- GTL needs to be shut DOWN!

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Vincent Miller
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May 02, 2008 10:20 am EDT

This company really stinks. They have not invoiced me in three months and have cut off service. It's impossible to get through to them, either on line or by phone -- and their fax line doesn't work either. The last time my inmate friend tried to call they asked me to refresh the amounts in my account by credit card but rejected two perfectly good cards on four different tries. It is obvious that these people have a captive audience, otherwise they wouldn't treat their customers with such contempt. The DOC should definitely cut these bums off and find a new provider. Would I deal with people like this in a non-captive market? Not a chance!

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kholt1968
,
Apr 12, 2008 1:56 pm EDT

They are liars and crooks! I have sent a formal complaint to the FCC and the BBB. Please keep complaing loudly to anyone and everyone who will listen!

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Kathleen Franklin
,
Mar 08, 2008 11:20 pm EST

We need to come together as a group united to end this treatment of paying customers. please if you know of others let get together and do something. There has to be something. Write your attorney general, your state legislators and your local phone company to complain abou the service and the better business buearu.

The onloy way we are going to make them listen to us and stop treating us like animals because are loved ones are in prison is to expose them and put them under investigation. This is racketerring at its finest if you ask me!

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

Global Tel Link Terrible service!

I was not surprised to see all of the consumer complaints against Global TelLink. I have have many negative experiences with this company. Over the past couple of months, I have been dealing with issues with my credit card being declined although I have money in my account for the charges. Each time this happens, the funds are still held for several days in my bank account and I do not have access to my money.

I have called this company multiple times. I sit holding each time for at least 15-30 mins only to spend 1-2 hours on the phone with agents that are unable to assist me. When I ask for a supervisor, I am put on hold for lengthy time frames and I have also been hung up on.

I have requested escalations and apparently their agents are trained not to escalate situations. Instead, they hang up on customers and place them on hold forever. I have never dealt with a company like this. In addition to not being able to talk to my husband for several days, I have had a 'horrible' experience dealing with this company just trying to pay my bill.

Read full review of Global Tel Link and 82 comments
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Michael Kyu
, US
Dec 17, 2022 3:13 pm EST

There seems to be an issue after 4pm, Nebraska time, on the inmates’ receiving end. In other words, they can’t hear my voice clearly as it cuts out. This, in turn, requires our conversations to be repeated resulting in inefficient phone time usage. Please fix this issue. Thank you.

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Kathryn Gaus
, US
Oct 22, 2018 12:23 pm EDT

The prison at its told me I could get a refund on the money left on my phone account at O.R.W I been home 6 weeks still nothing I even signed a paper at the prison to get my money. I still have received nothing from them and can't find a number to call them

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Gary Keever
, US
Sep 11, 2018 6:12 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Global tel link, a crooked company taken money from crooks and they became crooks.don't give your card number..they take it and run..charge you for service you didn't even want..take my word wright letters..they rob seniors

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Edward Evett
,
May 10, 2008 11:15 am EDT

GlobalTelLink-------Not recording a customer's pay-
ment on their account and blocking my daughter's
phone calls, even when the payment is made "before"
the payment date. This has happened twice and I am
------ off. A sorry phone co. in my opinion---can't keep records better than they're doing.

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terry hopkins
farmington mo, US
Jul 28, 2010 1:23 pm EDT

I think the company is a joke and has a problem with white people and not wanting to hire people that worked there before but they hire everybody esle and i think they need to be invested and some one needs to file a complante i have been calling them for over 2 years and they keep telling me that they dont need anybody but they hire new people and i would not reckmend aynbody to work for them

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disgruntled former teacher of an inmate
Naugatuck, US
Jan 26, 2010 3:51 pm EST

I have been trying for two days to get through to this company which I thought was horrid until I read these messages and found out that's nothing compared to what other people have had to put up with.
I am not in prison, no one in my family is in prison. A former student of mine is in prison and has been calling me for three years - and now for some reason my phone number is blocked and I can't get through to them to find out why. I hate that woman with the awful British accent they have on their tape telling you not to call them back! How is this alright for a company to take your money and treat it's customers this way?

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ccladym16
Corpus Christi, US
Nov 25, 2009 3:35 pm EST

Somebody stole my credit card and this number and company showed up on my bank account. I have called 12 times and "left my place in line" and got calls back and nobody can ever help me. I've asked to speak to a manager 8 times and everytime I leave a message I never get a call returned.
Most of the times I called these people act like they have never done any type of problem solving in their lives.
They have VERY poor customer service!

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BEUNCHI23
, US
Oct 31, 2009 9:16 am EDT

they obviously don't give a damn about their customers, which is not the correctional facilities that are funding their company, but the people that are actually using the phone system! It is true..the automated system NEVER works properly and then when you call the so-called "customer service" it takes literally HOURS to get through to someone, and the person you finally speak to is most likely going to have an attitude! Its ridiculous!

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Shotgun007
, US
Aug 31, 2009 6:26 pm EDT

Okay my friend apparently just got placed in the county jail on Saturday night 08/28/09. I received calls to my wireless phone 3 times on Sunday but of course we can't accept Collect Calls.

Today, I called the number that per the automated voice message system [protected] but this was for existing GTL prepay accounts. Then per another recorded message I dialed [protected] to set up my prepay account, entered my wireless 10 digit#, entered my credit card (Chase $5 Limit, only have $483 balance on it), entered the 3 digit code on the back, entered the expiration 09/10..Right? I got the message "Invalid Expiration Date"... I checked, double checked, triple checked. Even used my Target Visa Card, got the EXACT same message.

Had enough, called, only hold stated "Mondays have unusually high call volume" routed me into a message box for a call return, gave my# again at 9:57am today (08/31/09). Got a call back at 11:46am WITH NOTHING BUT HOLD MUSIC FOR 4 MINUTES, NOBODY EVER CAME ON THE LINE, I WAITED, and then the call automatically hangs up.

Called a 2nd time at 3:02pm cst, left a message for a call return AGAIN, got a call back at 4;07pm cst, AGAIN I answered expecting a live person, ONLY hold music, no one ever answered after 6 minutes, THEY disconnected the call automatically.

Called a 3rd time, this time gave them my home phone as a call return#, left msg at 4pm, got home at 4;30pm, it is 5:18pm cst. NO CALL return as of YET!

Called 4th time at 5:01pm cst, left yet another message, ...waiting to see what happens next.

Called 5th time, this time I heard hold music for 1 minute, a silent mute, then a hang-up. Which tells me the person that received my call had their phone ACD on mute and purposely disconnected my call!

PATHETIC... Filing a complaint on every board I can find. We need to put these people out of business.

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john
, US
Apr 19, 2009 9:15 pm EDT

I Hate to admit i work for this company and it is a total rip off. I would not even consider working for this place had it not been for the economy being terrible. I hate that I work for such a dispicable company and will not for long. They do rip you off. Every time You pay with a credit card you are charged a 19% processing fee and if you need to get a refund they charge you another $5 just to get your money back. Don't ever ask to speak to a supervisor. All that happens is you get transfered into a dialer system and it puts you on hold and never connects just ask you to leave a message and then calls you back in two hours and you are transfered into the same system you were in before and they transfer you to a supervisor and the same thing starts over again. I do ask that you try not to get so angry at the workers we just do what we are told and we all think the same way all of you do. I will comment more later and tell you about the other unethical things this company does

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