Consumer Cellular
reviews and complaints

I purchased a phone from Consumer Cellular, when I opened the package the face of the phone was facedown and had not protective covering. My daughter was going to set it up for me and told me I cold not facetime with my grandkids with a android phone so I put back in the box and shipped it back the next day. a few days later the phone came back to me with a note that said they would not take it back because of scratches on the face. it has 1 scratch and it came that way. I told them and they said because I did not inform them the phone could not be returned. I disputed the chatrge on my credit card and now they say I owe the for the phone plus a $5.00 chRGE AND NEXT MONTHS PAYMENT! I JUST PAID THE MONTHLY CHARGE ON 8/22. I AM NOT PAYING THE ANYTHING AND I AM GOING TO SEND THE PHONE B ACK TO THEM.. They are Crooks, I think they shipped me a used phone to start with.

We switched to Consumer Cellular, we owned our phones and was told it would be an easy switch. We now can not get text of Iphone users. We use both our phones with both android and iphone users for work. We went back and was told the only way to to fix the problem is to by new phones. We told them that we wanted to cancel our contract (have 45 days) they then told us that we needed to buy new phones because of the changes they made to our phones if we go back to ATT we would have the same problems with receiving Iphone messages because of the changes they made. We both have newer phones. so now we have to spend close to 2000.00 to fix the problem. I feel they made the changes without our knowledge, if we knew this was a problem we would not have changed.

ATT is great in my neighborhood; T-Mobile is awful. I was assured I could keep ATT when I went with Consumer Cellular, but when I bought a new cellphone from them they inserted a T-Mobile sim card. For several years I could not figure out why my carrier service was so bad. I blamed it on wifi and also called Consumer Cellular, which assured me I had ATT service. A lie. I recently discovered the T-Mobile sim card. When I called customer relations, I encountered a nasty rep who said CC decided what carrier is best for its customers. They must think all seniors are senile. I later found out they had done the same thing to several of my friends, and only one had discovered the sim card switch after getting terrible carrier service. She was irate and had CC replace the card immediately. Meanwhile, I had almost three years of lousy service. The customer relations monster also said I had never complained, so my service must have been great. Another lie. I will never trust Consumer Cellular again. I cannot wait to dump them. BTW, their phones cost 30-percent more than most other companies. So they are not really a bargain for unsuspecting seniors.

I have been a customer of Consumer Cellular for over 2 years. Don't believe the hype. They are just as bad as the others. I advised them before going overseas and they said I was all set. I used more data than normal sending pictures and videos back so they shut my phone down. It was my only life line in a foreign county. They did it at about 2 am while I was out bar hoping with friends. They nearly cost me my life as we were in a dangerous part of town. To make it even worse, as if that were possible, they are closed overnight and I couldn't call them until the following day. I was not able to check in online so almost missed my flight. I finally got hold of them after being on hold for over 30 minutes (they said the hold would be 15 minutes) but was going through customs counter at that moment and told them to hold for 2 minutes until the agent let me pass. They had hung up on me. Don't trust them. They are just as shady as the other companies.
So disappointed in consumer cellular!

My name is Debbie Carroll my cell number is [protected]. I bought an IPhone through you a month or so ago. After purchasing it I was told it was locked for six months. Per representative today it October 5, 2021. I have tried for two weeks to get customer service on the phone holding up to 45 minutes and finally having to hang up. Today I look at my bill and it is $67 and some change. The representative kept arguing with me about GB's and them differing from what I showed on my bill. Had I known about the bill amount and the service I would have not bought a phone with consumer cellular. With that said, I can't trust that my GB's won't change, my bill is higher than it should be, and speaking to your representatives is impossible I will go back to my previous carrier once my phone is no longer being held hostage. Please understand that I work at a Covid hospital and my time is as valuable as yours. I'm not comfortable with my GB plan and I never had to worry about it before. Now I see they have lowered this months bill. It doesn't change the outcome.

My father passed away, and I was just a second user, he passed away, mar 28 2021, on sept 3 I called and set up, my own accont, becaused he was decease, 7 days later cosumer cellular, cut my phone off cas I didnt pay, my fathers bill, in his name not mine. His ssd number, bills sent to him, nothing todo with him,... Your reps suck... Every ezcusdr in the book, I offered to pay my share mabey 40 dollars, but they refused... Im not responsible, for an account I didnt agree to... I waqs a second user... So, I called and got a new account, new number, id number, well, 7 days later, they shut me off, I offered to pay, for, my share.. But, they sucked, what a lousy, deal. My family has a lot of accounts with you guys, all this over 87 dollars my 91 year old fother owes, really,?

I washed my phone and put in for a replacement, was told 3-5 days turn around once it was shipped. Now I am told they cannot tell me when it will be shipped. It has been 5 days as of today, so whenever it does get shipped it will another 3-5 days before I receive it. Was told it is because of a large volume of phones being resolved and shipped and handled. Ok not my issue, my family and I have been a customer of yours for years and have paid on time every month. Love the service, but to not have a better system in place to handle heavy times of replacing and sending out phones and basically say that is the way it is after all the years ya'll have been in business and not found a way to fix the issue is poor management. I have been in business for years, handling large projects with no excuse dead lines. If they was a choke point we would resolve it I would appreciate it if you could find a way for those in the future not to have to deal with the loss of a phone which is imperative to have this days

I received a letter explaining my 3G phone would not be supported after June. I have been charged for July and the company refuses to correct the error.

7/15/21: A CSR supervisor explained as I had not called to close the account, the charge was legitimate because the account remained open, even though 3G service could not be provided. In addition, I expect to be charged account closing fees.

The account is set for auto-pay through my credit card company about July 28. I intend to dispute the charge.

In mid may of 2021 consumer cellular sent me an email and said I would have to get a new flip phone by the end of June 2021 that my present working fine phone would be obsolete and no longer in service. So I go and get a replacement as advised. The replacement is horrid, to matter where you are the person your talking to voice is distorted. Bad?!

In the last two weeks around June 15th thru June 22 I had purchased two phones from you and neither phone worked. Both times after the phone were delivered I could not access service and the phones locked up . I have paid $250.00 Just to purchase the phones and they are plain junk. I am a senior citizen on a fixed income and took your adds on TV that your products were worth purchasing. It didn't take long for me to see that I have been deceived with these projects. I called the service number three times and didn't get any help from the representatives. They told me to bring the phones to Target store in my area. I did and the store told me they do not have the know how to help with the phones. I drove 20 miles to the store just to be told they could not help me. I am very angry and let me tell you I will never again purchase any phone from your company. Shame on you for treating people this way. I will never recommend your company to anyone. Roger Ross

On 6/4/2021, I spoke to 5 different reps.including 1 supervisor.Consumer Cellular lied to me each time.If your representative do not know what they are doing, THEY MUST NOT LIE! Initially, I was assured my wife and my phone would work on Consumer Cellular networks.After getting sim cards, inserting them, I call to have our phones ported.NONE of the reps new what they were doing! I got a supervisor on the line.She said, the sim card they sent was bad and to go to Target, purchase a new one and she ABSOLUTELY ASSURED me my phone would be on.Target is 10 miles from my home.I put the new sim card in, called back and it still didn't work..By this time in the evening, after all the calls and lies my wife and I were PHYSICALLY SICK and needed to sleep.On 6/5/2021, I wake up refreshed and spoke with an older gentleman around 10am.He told me, that I did NOT need a new sim card, I needed an AT&T sim card.He said, I needed to go BACK up to Target to purchase a new one, and only then would he GUARANTEE that it would have my phone back on.He assured me that the notes in my file would be updated and anyone of the reps would have my phone back on when I called back in.So, now, once again, I call back in and spoke to "CEL". Now, Guess what? The AT&T sim card did NOT work either! "Cel", was not sympathetic to all the lies and inconveniences I went thru and just flat out said, " well, this is not our fault "..I was livid! And demanded to speak with another supervisor. Mark came on, apologized and that was the end of it.I have never had such an AWFUL experience with a company in my entire 53 years on Earth and I've spent my professional career in Sales and customer service. How can Consumer Cellular get away with treating customers like trash? So.ive had enough. My wife and I, once again, spent our Saturday, sick, nauseated and absolutely stunned! All because of the poorest customer service with Consumer Cellular. This is my first step in my complaint process. I promise you that I am going to expose this awful treatment to as many entities as possibly. J.D.Powers, AARP and the BBB are next. I sure would like to a response. [protected]@gmail.com

The last rep. I spoke to told me 46.00 a month a $10.00 increase to previous bill. For unlimited talk text and internet. Now they are debiting my account $75.00. I verbally agreed to the 46.00 dollar on the phone with the Rep. Consumer Cellular gave me some speech about 3, 10, 15 giga bits that's why it's $75.00. Not what the Rep. told me. Not a company keeping there word or out to help the elderly, limited income folks. The commercial is a lie and smoke screen deception. June Tola. [protected]@hotmail.com.

Problem started with data "slow down". With consumer cellular that means no service at all! They don't want to provide low cost service. After I called and reduced service to " minimum " they boosted to unlimited $80 plan all on their own. When I called to get corrected they song and danced until I couldn't talk to them any longer. I cancelled service (I had lowered service to $20 plan and dropped a line but they automatically upgraded at next billing period. This company claims so much in customer service but is worse than any company I've dealt with in past 10 years. They thrive on the bait and switch upgrade and smile as they steal from the consumer. Absolute con. Have had no text or any capability on the phone with reduced service since I lowered plan. But they still try to Bill for upgraded service. Last call was with supervisor number 47050.

I tried to move my phone number to a lower cost provider . But CC locked my phone which leaves me with a piece of junk. I own the phone and am current on what I owe CC. They say when the final bill is paid they will send me an unlock code but whos responsible if it doesnt work? The Phone is a moto G Power SIM phone. How do these providers get away with such arrogant moves. I have an excellent credit rating and was never late on bill payment . There was no justification for this move other than "we know we can get away with it." If you are thinking of using CC ; keep looking they are slow, seldom see more than 2 bars and they have a long list of taxes, surcharges and add-ons my Monthly bill was $13 higher than my base rate due to additional greed.

Consumer Cellular preys on the elderly. False advertises and lies about their guarantees. Misleading and customer service is not trained. You can call and talk to one CS hang up and get a COMPLETELY different answer. I ordered an Iphone 12 on 3/23/2021 when it arrived I realized it wasn't for me too small. I called back and ordered an IPhone 12 Pro Max on 3/28/2021. They instructed me to send back the 12 then they will order the 12 Pro Max. I said why is that? That's our policy. I hung up called back and got another Customer service person and she stated "That is not true" we will credit your IPhone 12 against the 12 Pro Max. I then receive an email stating before we seal the deal we need the following 1) Copy of your Drivers license 2) Copy of your credit card 3) and a copy of a Utility bill. I said on 3/23/2021 (5 days earlier) nobody asked for this information. Well this is to prevent FRAUD! Really well how would you like me to send you this info by mail? No you can send it through Email! Right you want to prevent Fraud but you are asking for personal information through email. Sorry not happening. Pieter K then said I'm sorry I can't put the order through. (Wish I would of just cancelled it for all I know now) I then called back and asked for a supervisor. Henry stated he was on another call.. let me guess what you are calling about the information we requested? Yes I will not be sending it. He then said I'll just see if I can get it waived for you. He then came back on the line and said taken care of. I then returned the Iphone 12 and they denied it stating "Deep scratches on the screen" I'm pretty sure I would of seen the "Deep scratches" I never connected service or made 1 phone call with it. I took it to 2 facilities acquainted with Consumer Cellular and they say a tiny scratch and was in disbelief they would not return it and also stated it could of been the warehouse. Phone calls after phone calls and many chats they will not return the phone. Told me it's mine to keep and pay the balance. They will not unlock the phone until it's paid in full and then tried to make a deal (since I reported them to the BBB and the Oregon Dept. of Justice (Fraud Unit) They said return the 12 Pro Max and we will credit you. LOL Not on your life. What guarantees will there be that you won't do the EXACT same thing as the Brand new IPHONE 12 I had received and you denied? No Guarantees! This Company Needs to be shut down for scamming the Elderly and fraud! Turning people over for collection when customers have passed on. The list goes on. 100's of reviews on Yelp - BBB and other sights.. Lets stop this Company from continuing to Fraud/Scam the Elderly. Never mind about the 100 % Guarantee they advertise with NO questions asked, because they will just think of something else to benefit them. I regret ever signing on with them and WARNING People to RUN as fast as you can. DO NOT SIGN ON once you suckered in you are stuck with tons of bills! $ Shame on AARP & JD Power for endorsing this company to Rip off the Elderly! PS I spoke/chatted with an elderly person who ordered 2 brand new phones.. they turned them on a figured out they were too complicated shut them off and called Consumer Cellular and asked to return them. They returned them both $1800 worth and the same excuse "Denied due to Deep Scratches in the Screen" It appears this is their MO so they don't have to accept the phones back and YOU are stuck with the bill. READ REVIEWS PEOPLE BEFORE YOU TAKE THE PLUNGE!

I canceled my service in January but they continued to take money out of my account for over a year.
I am a hospice nurse and due to Covid I was so busy
and not paying attention to my account. Now that
things have slowed down I noticed that money was still being deducted from my account so I notify CC
They were willing to give me 3 months back but were keeping over 400.00 dollars for a discontinued account .
The representative stated it happens all the time
I then stated that if it happens all the time Consumer Cellular is taking money that don't belongs to them therefore they are keeping money that they didn't provide service for.
This is unacceptable! No wonder that are millionaires

Switch to boost mobile, huge mistake. Basically my phone was damaged again and not very unusable and girlfriend wanted an I phone.
Consumer Cellular is a better network, calls always go though. Now I'm stuck paying under a contract with a fly by night company.

I could blame consumer cellular for not working with me on getting another phone (J7), but i'd used up my phone insurance, liquid damaged again.. consumer cellular should have understood i have slippery hands.

if they hadn't sent such a slick phone this would have never happened.
And the phones Consumer cellular sends to you, have an attraction to liquids.
it has in fact started raining when using their phone,

Consumer Cellular began charging me for three lines of service before any of my phones were activated. The company started my billing cycle before I received their SIM cards for insertion into my phones and before I received a phone that I purchased from Consumer Cellular.

Accurate mobile data records failed to update within a 12-hour time period. A one point, it took 7 to 10 days before my data usage statistics updated. Consumer Cellular blamed this problem on a technical abnormality with T-Mobile's cell towers. By the time the problem was finally remedied, Consumer Cellular users may have exceeded their data limit without knowing it.

I signed up for three lines of "unlimited" talk, text, and data. When the "unlimited" 35GBs of data were used up, someone from Consumer Cellular added a pricey data package to my account without my knowledge or consent.

Consumer Cellular deleted my voicemail account. I had to setup my voicemail again.

Texting issues resulted in the delay of texts being sent for up to 2 hours.

I had service with Consumer Cellular for 29 days before cancelling my account. A repetitive, on-hold recorded message advertises Consumer Cellular's satisfaction guarantee as follows: "Here at Consumer Cellular, we have always offered a 100%, risk-free guarantee. That means, if you are not satisfied with our cellphone service, regardless of the reason, you can cancel within the free trial period and pay absolutely nothing. You don't even have to pay postage to return your phone." There is no reference to any disclaimers within Consumer Cellular's recorded message.

I received a bill from Consumer Cellular that contained incorrectly calculated amounts of service plan charges, fees and taxes. I spoke with several customer service agents and supervisors about my bill. No one from Consumer Cellular could explain how the total was calculated. Consumer Cellular employees would routinely use the phrase, "These are legitimate charges." One customer service agent made a claim that Consumer Cellular's billing department was incapable of making a mistake.

I tried to switch to Consumer Cellular from ATT in November 2020. I lost my business due to Covid. It took 2 weeks for a sim card to arrive and when it did, there was no service. CC then said I had to buy a new phone to get service, when that arrived a week later, I still had no service. When I first signed up they said my ATT phone was fine. There was never anything wrong with my original phone. They continued to bill me for service that I did not have. When I tried to cancel the service, I was told no one could help me because of staffing problems. I made at least 20 calls to CC during December of 2020, and no one answered after wait times of at least 60 minutes. I finally got through in late December and spoke to Stephanie, agent ID 7228, and she said a manager would call me back, No one ever called. Stephanie also stated that we could not port in our number without buying a second line and waiting for another Sim card (this is actually not required!) I since have stopped calling. The customer service there is very poor. I want a refund of what I already paid which is more than 100 dollars for non-existant service including the phone they forced me to buy which I never needed, and a full credit of 116.31 on my account that I am currently being billed. I also receive daily harrassing calls from CC and my credit has been affected by this.

I bought a phone in 2019 and got service through consumer cellular. We went out of town a couple weeks later and I had no service; went out of town west about 60 miles a week later, no service. I called consumer cellular and was assured the areas I was traveling to had service; within two months found out most of nd and montana did not have service. Because of my family and job, I had to have service 24 hours a day, and traveled with my job, therefor I had to switch to verizon so I could be assured I always had service. Called consumer cellular and explained my situation, however they refused to unlock my phone, which I paid for. I was told after 6 months I could call and they would unlock it, so I had no choice but to buy another iphone. This was in june, 2019. I put the phone away, and yesterday my other phone quit working, I called consumer cellular and was initially told they couldn't unlock it because I hadn't had service for 6 months; I again explained I didn't get service when I signed up with them and I couldn't have a phone that didn't get service 1/2 the time. Customer representative put me on hold and came back after talking to a supervisor and said they unlocked my phone, tried to set it up and she said it wasn't on their end, has to not be working on verizon's end. Called verizon, and they tried to get consumer cellular on the line, and they were closed for the evening. I called consumer cellular this morning, and was once again told they wouldn't unlock my phone because I didn't have service for 6 months; I explained that when I called last night I was told my phone was unlocked. Representative said the person documented last night they unlocked my husbands phone and she told me that they couldn't unlock mine... That definitely was not the conversation. She assured me my phone was unlocked. I asked what I could do to get it unlocked, and she said the only way they would ever unlock it is if I went back' to them and had service for four more months... I asked her why I would pay for service that doesn't give me coverage I need, and she said it wasn't her problem, that was policy. I read the bottom of my contract that stated after 6 months consumer cellular would unlock the phone for any carrier as long as the phone was paid for and the bill was paid. She said while the contract didn't "exactly state the customer has to have service the entire 6 months" that's what the contract meant. I asked her to go back to the notes in june 2019 where I was assured my phone would be unlocked in october 2019; she stated it wasn't her problem the customer representative didn't know what she was talking about and that she would not unlock the phone. So I said, "basically, I paid for a new iphone, was told I would have coverage wherever there were cell towers, found out I had minimal coverage in the 2 states I live and travel in most, phone does not work, and I will never get it unlocked? Her response was"yes, ma'am, not my problem, have a good day and hung up. To all of you who agree with this, shame on you for misleading people and not being honest and upfront, not following the contract, and telling customers different information. Other than I paid for an expensive phone and will not be able to use, it... More importantly that phone has pictures of my two sons that I lost, as well as texts and voice messages from them.
To all of you, it's all about manipulating people to take advantage of them and make money, to me, while it's poor character on your part and lost dollars, my boys pictures, word and voices mean more to me than anything. Stand in my position, and ask yourself what you would do... Greed, dishonest, poor customer service means nothing to you, my phone contents mean the world to me,