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Global Tel Link Customer Service Phone, Email, Contacts

Global Tel Link
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Global Tel Link Complaints 139

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8:23 pm EDT
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Global Tel Link Overcharging

My Global Tel Link account is on Direct Remit account with a limit of 100.00 dollars. Well last night my limit had reached 104.00 dollars so I made a 20.00 dollar payment. That brought it down to 86.00 dollars, with each phone call costing me a 3.50 charge would not that of only brought my bill up to 89.50. This morning when I didn't receive my call from my husband I checked my account and it says my limit has been exceeded it is 103.00.

So I called GTL and asked how this could be and they said because I used the internet to make my payment it could take upto 24 hours for the system to update. This makes no sense to me because after making the 20 dollar payment last night the block was removed and the back on this morning. I only received 1 call so how did i exceed my limit?

I wonder now how many more times they have stolen money from there customers like this? By the way it has now been the 24 hours and my phone is still blocked.

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Reg's Girl
Vallejo, US
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Jun 17, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

After reading some informatin about this company I wanted to speak to customer service and pay my bill so I can have a credit on my phone I spent over a hour on the phone which a recorder states someone will call me back. I left a number and never received a call back. I called back and was still on hold for another hour. I feel like I'm in a bad place if I don't take a chance and pay them some money I cant receive calls and if I do and the credit don't get credited to the accout I still won't be able to receive calls. This company sucks.

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B.ob's #1
Watauga, US
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Jun 02, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

I agree completely I check my balance daily and it goes up daily even if I havent received a call in 3 days! How the heck can that happen? This is the worst compny the worls. Everytime i call to inquire about this i first have to wait 2 hours for a call bak just to be told that they will have to call me back after reviewing my accout and i never get a call back. there really should be something done about this company

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1:09 am EDT
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Global Tel Link Unauthorised long distance chages

Globeltelelink picked can$55. 00 without my authorisation.

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3:24 pm EDT
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Global Tel Link Horrible GTL service. Like a Scam!

the call constantly disconnected even before any conversation starts, was charges $3...so you could be not able to talk for anything and already got charged $3. terrible service!
this happens at least 3 times a day, that is $9 charge for nothing. i have to buy $59.9 which $9.9 is convenient fees, which lasted 2 days only. we only talked for 40 mins a day or less, so that is 80 mins for $60.

well the rate is actually ~$6 for 15 mins, if the disconnect problem isn't there, then $50 will last 120 mins, so the connection problems cause me 40 mins for everyday 2 days. that is to mean GTL at least scam me $15 every 2 days.

but we have no choice but to use them for inmate calls.
so justice system seems to catch lot of innocent ppl but let this bully keep scamming our money!

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Corene
Sacramento, US
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Mar 07, 2011 3:26 am EST

I think Global Tel Link is a scam.I can give you several reasons why:1. They keep you on hold forever, then the phone hangs up:2 When you pay your bill the block still don't be lifted:3 Just plain rude. I think we need to get a class action Law Suit against GTL!This company just want us to keep paying, when in reality were not getting all the calls were paying for.I'm really disgusted with GTL, ugghh

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1:41 pm EDT
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Global Tel Link money has not been placed on my card after you all have took it off

I have put 25 dollars on my credit card on Feb. 16, 2017 and it has still not to this day been put on my account. I have been trying to contact yall for a whole month now and has not received any phone calls in the past week. Now i have the terminal number and what time yall have received it and if it has not been on my account by this week i will be takin yall to court on it. I don't know why yall are trying to keep my money when yall are goin to get to get it back. So like I siad if I have not received a phone call or the money has not been placed on my card by this week I will take yall to court. YOu have my number so CALL ME.

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Pat
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Jul 12, 2008 6:33 pm EDT

They disconnect me from my son in the Lee County Jail without warning. They charge me for calls I have never received. They refer me to a supervisor and the supervisor never calls me back. They tell me they are going to credit me for the call and don't. They take as much as 2 hours to call back and can never resolve the problem. On Jul 14, I am going to call the Public Utilities Commission in Florida and complain. I hope they can take some action. Everyone that is complaining should do the same. Apparently they have a monopoly and they need to either be put out of business or investigated immediately. I am hoping that their would be some other service
available.

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Diana L. Rodriguez
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Sep 17, 2008 3:44 pm EDT

I have being trying to get intouch with a representative due to the fact that I have being showing in my later bills tha I owed $467. when I have being paying my bill monthly as it comes. So how come now I owed that amount? What happen with my payments. I will like to received prove with a statement that shows which calls I did not pay. I don't want a statement with the amount ony. I will appreciate if you take care of this matter soon since I want to continue receiving calls.

Diana

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FedUpInCalifornia
Nuevo, US
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Dec 24, 2009 12:16 pm EST

What a racket - as a manager of my business I can authorize incoming collect calls from anyone at anytime - after so many calls Global blocks calls citing "too many calls to one number" and that my phone carrier is blocking calls - rubbish and lies lies lies! I told Global they are forcing these prepay accounts so that everytime we have to reload we get hit the $10 fee, to their benefit - no comment from the supervisor over there, by the way

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sharon
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Nov 22, 2008 7:59 pm EST

This company is the worst company i have ever encountered. Difficult to speak to someone about their service and how to set it up. They monopolize collect calls from inmates to family and loved ones. When you finally set up an account they block your calls and tell you you cant to speak to the inmate because they changed the way they are billing you. They tell you you need to fax a recent telephone with your name address and telephone number and after they receive it will take 3 to 5 days before you caqn receive phone callls again. Who are they to tell you you cant speak to your lved one afe=ter you ve had communication for a month and since they are changing billing you are unable to speak until they say you again. It s absurd! Its like legalized extortion but since the dept of corrections receives revenue from inmate phone calls it will continue to happen!

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Keima
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Jun 02, 2008 1:56 pm EDT

I have had calls that dropped after 4 minutes. I was told that they would research my problem ans someone would get back with me. Know one ever did. This was three weeks ago. I called again and they still haven't done anything. I was also told that I might not get a refund! They charged me twice for one call and it's already bad enough they take out money when you put it on the account. This has happened numerous times. I am really disgusted and I would like to know if there is an alternative to using Global Tel Link.

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Christina
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Oct 30, 2008 9:39 am EDT

my purse was stolen with my cell phone and my credit card. I was very uset to see that my credit card had been used with this company. i called my credit card to advise them of the fraud and they advised me to contact the comapany directly for a faster refund. I called the first time waited on hold for 45 mins. i called again and waited for 30 mins to get a rep that advised i would need to speak to a supervisor. she transfered me to a supervisor, i waited on hold for another 27 mins. i could not wait any more so i called the next day. I was hung up on 8 times each time the rep would pick up with out saying a word they hung up on me. Then i finally got through to a rep who advised she would take care of it and that i would be credited in 7 to 10 business days. i was on the phone with her for only about 10 mins. then 15 mins later i get a call from the same company and same rep advising me that i will not be credited per her team lead. I was so upset at this point. not only had fraud been cometed but i was being treated like a criminal. The sup got on the line she MRS BECK would not give her frist name advised me that i would have to basically jump through hoops to get my $25 back. i mean come on its $25. Previously i was advised that only a partial amount had been used, so i told BECK that i will just take what ever the balanace that remains on the account. WOW, i could not beleive how rude and dumb she was. I was told 8.19 was the amount used lol this includes there fee. i was willing to take my losses and get a refund of 16.81 but BECK told me that this is impossiable "because of the fraud that i claim, the account is now negitive $8.19. " i just dont know what to say at this point. I can not believe i have to do all of this and still may not get my $25 or my $16.81 back. this company needs to revoluate there service on all levels

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Donna
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Jun 15, 2008 10:17 am EDT

This is the worst company I have every dealt with. I have, just like everyone else, many bills. However, this company has got to be the most poorly ran company in the U.S> Their website isn't helpful, you can't pay your bill without paying a 10.00 Western Union fee. There is no way to view your bill online. I also see no reason to have a cap payment amount for a bill. I feel we should be billed once a month like every other bill I recieve and then if your bill is 300.00 then that is what you pay. This is ridiculous that I have to be without service everytime my bill exceeds 100.00. I am actually waiting right now for a return call from this company. 10 minutes later, I'm still waiting.

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Heyts
US
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Jan 13, 2011 11:24 am EST

GTL has blocked my private phone number from receiving calls from my son who is incarcerated in an Alabama Prison. They said there was a limit on the number of calls he could make, regardless if I was willing to accept the calls or not. They want me to pre-pay, I do, my phone gets charged for every call. Obviously this is some kind of scam to charge more for the calls.

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J in Hawaii
Waianae, US
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Mar 26, 2010 6:07 pm EDT

This company was handling calls from prisoners at Monroe Correction Facility in Monroe, WA.
They either lost the contract or opted out but no notification was given and they continued to
take prepay money from me. Calls placed to their 800 number or their billing number get
answered with " cannot answer...too many calls...call back later..." this for all the month of
March so far. No way to even leave a number for call back. I am entitled to a refund back to
my credit card and do not intend to let them scam me out of it. I will go to state attorney general
for relief if neccessary. J in Hawaii

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K M Guess
Mcdonough, US
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Mar 09, 2010 10:13 am EST
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I set up an account with this company in January 2017. I was told that I had $100 credit line. I tried to make a credit card payment and the agent wouldn't do it. I received the first bill and paid immediately. I left the country on January 18 and did not return until March 2. Prior to leaving, I called the company twice to find out my outstanding balance. No one ever answers the phone when calling the company. One is routed to an automated answering system and told they are extremely busy and will return the phone call within two hours. I never received a response. Upon returning to the country, I found a bill that was due on Feb. 24. Of course, it wasn't paid on time because I had left the country. I immediately made payment; however, they put a block on my account for non-payment. It took 10 days for my first check to clear after I mailed it. I phoned the company and left another message so I could explain the situation. An hour and a half later, a woman returned my call. Her English was so bad I had a hard time understanding her. She kept saying the same thing over and over again. I finally asked her to transfer me to someone who was proficient in English so that I could discuss the matter. She hung up on me forcing me to phone again and start the process over. This is horrible customer service. The whole matter could have been avoided if they would have let me to pay on my credit card when I set up the account. I take pride that my bills are all paid on time. I go out of my way so that I don't have to deal with customer service departments because I would rather pull all my own teeth with pliers and no pain killers than to deal with inept people.

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12:17 pm EDT
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Global Tel Link Customer Service

I have prepaid 25.00 on my long distance account through Global Link and the money is not showing on my account, I have called the customer service number several times and it transfers you to an automatic call back system (NEVER GIVING OPTION TO HOLD) well the automatic system is to call you back within 2 hours or you need to call them again...they have called me back twice now and I have answered both times by the second ring but they have already hung up...This is B.S. I want my 25.00 credited to my account I have paid for it and I want it...the money was put on the account (on my end) on 3-11-09 @ 7:15pm and I have the credit card # that was used if needed however I am not listing the # in this complaint. I should have known something wasnt right when it never repeated my number as it normally does. On top of this we wasted almost 6.00 of the money that was left on the card with hangups due to the correctional facilities broken down ragged pay phones.

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Yumatoma
Corpus Christi, US
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May 29, 2013 1:28 pm EDT

I was also ripped off by Global Tel Link for about a month when I really realized that they had already taken my money from my bank account without my authorization and no service. I called to cancel and they wanted me to fax them my request while they still kept on withdrawing from my bank account. After 4 weekly withdrawals I had to close down my bank account. Why is this allowed, and who governs how these ###s get all this business. I have complained to the BBC / Attorney General / Jail personnel / and have gone with another company that really helped me. It is called the Inmate Calls Me.com which I found in the internet. No drama, no problems, wonderful people to deal with and still using them. I will always let people know how cheap, insensitive, horrible service, money hungry service they gave me. They should be closed down.

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rpoff
Topton n.c., US
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Jan 13, 2013 10:26 pm EST
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Anyway you look at it GTL is a ripoff.The prisons and jails are in bed with GTL.From all I can see and I've been dealing with the company for three years.Not only does the DOC make the family pay for all the inmates needs.GTL charges a 9.50 fee every time I buy 50.00 worth of phone time.Not only are they punishing the inmate.There sucking the family dry.I say the DOC is as much to blame as GTL.Their both taking advantage of the families. SLM.

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LN marlowe
Massena, US
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May 16, 2012 6:53 am EDT

In Jail for any reason is not a license to take advantage of families hardships Global Tel Does this Charges to add money Plus a high connect fees
I Would Sign A Class Action Suet Just Poor Business
L.Marlowe

JEShearer
JEShearer
Carthage, US
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Mar 22, 2012 9:21 pm EDT
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@whythelongfaces- well let’s see I didn’t ask for my wife to get a crappy lawyer(which I paid for) and not be able to get her out of a simple assault charge when she was only defending herself from a mad twice her size (who happened to be a judges son) The judge whose son assaulted my wife tries the case and wow my wife is convicted of assault... now there’s some FAIR TAX PAYER SPENDING DON'T YOU THINK YOU CLUELESS whine ### not everyone in jail belongs there! And not everyone in jail or even prison is a horrible insensitive ### (like you) that people don’t love (again like you) some folks in there just made a simple mistake and are paying their dues for it some are dealing with an addiction (sickness) that took control of their lives and oh ya let’s not forget those evil horrible check bouncers or the jay walkers that’s right they should all be shot in the face right?... well Mr. know it all what about the soldiers that couldn’t coup with civilian life and made a mistake should we all shun them as well? People make mistakes, allowing you to be born for instance, and some just do stupid things that after going to jail realize that they will never do again. And yes some folks do get krappy trials where thing don’t work out exactly fair. Here’s a thought some turn to God and become productive members of society actually helping others after getting out of jail BECAUSE SOME ONE CARED ENOUGH TO TALK TO THEM WHILE THEY were at the bottom of their lives. Judge not let thy be judged….

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Mike321
Fairport Harbor, US
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Feb 02, 2012 2:19 am EST
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Unfortunately, their objective is to make YOUR money. .. Understand too, the primary reason for being jailed is confinement, so really, part of the difficulty your having, is for the most part, because the jail institution need not provide any more options beside GTL. Granted, there actually are other communicative alternatives, but the jail system simply won't allow them access. .. Honestly, I place more blame on the prison institutions than GTL. Reason is, GTL is so overloaded with accounts, its a wonder their able to keep up with them. .. My advice, is to not shoot yourself in the foot by placing all the blame on GTL, but rather, do your best to let them know you really need their help. In the meantime, grab as many GTL numbers as you can. Especially those that provide direct contact with one of their operators. ... [censored]...I know they have at least one or two.

JEShearer
JEShearer
Carthage, US
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Feb 02, 2012 1:38 am EST
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well global tell link is deffinetly not pleasent to deal with.it is almost impossible to get a real person and the automated service is horrible. they are super expensive and if you have a problem to bad for you (us) anyone know a better way to contact someone at global tel link?

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E. Jacobs
Harrold, US
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Aug 20, 2011 3:31 pm EDT
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customer service web site gives telephone number for weekends, when you call you are told "only monday thur friday. I put $50.00 on my account and the system does'nt even reconize my telephone number. will ask for a refund.

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Call the Better Business Bureau
Hubert, US
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Jun 08, 2011 6:56 pm EDT

I have had the worst time with this service. My husband has tried to call me 7 times today. Each time it says to press 5 to accept the call is cut off. This has happened on my cell and land line. Both of those companys said it is GTL service. When i finally reach some one at GTL they told me that they are not responsible for the dropped caLLS AND WOULD NOT REFUND ANY OF MY MONEY. Another thing is I go to Western Union and use quick collect to put money on my account and now they cant over charge my card. I also did like Show me said and purchased a prepaid cell phone from a store local to his camp and now im only charged for a local collect call instead of long distance. Other than that Im still losing calls and paying for them. We need to file a class action lawsuit but then it will only hurt the inmates because gtl will cancel the service on the prison camp and we all will suffer. I reported them to the better business bureau. Good luck everyone

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Mike321
Fairport Harbor, US
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Feb 01, 2011 2:10 am EST
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While U.S. inmates may be somewhat "lucky" to have phone priviledges, that does not mean all relatives are lucky enough to have the means to visit them. Taking away phone service in prisons does nothing to support those inmates who may be willing to become responsible citizens, or for that matter, our own taxpayers. Removing phone service is nothing but a quick fix lip service. Whats really lucky, is that I live in a country that supports human rights. Pathetic? Sounds like a good excuse to me.

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Help
City of Ignorance, US
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Dec 02, 2010 7:31 pm EST

You are LUCKY there are phones in the jails. Pathetic. Here is a way to solve this problem - Take the phones out of the jails then you can go visit your loved ones instead of talking to them on the phone. Our tax monies go to support those in jail and some tax payers can not even afford their own phone. You are lucky they are jailed in the U.S and have the luxury of a phone call.

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3:52 pm EST
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Global Tel Link declining my credit card for NO reason

For the last month I have been trying to communicate with my husband via phone. The local facility he is incarserated in uses Global Telink. The problem is that sometimes they except my credit card and sometimes they decline it, my bank sees NO problem with my card and I use it for other purposes all the time. When I call their customer help line it either puts me on a call back list and NEVER returns my calls or they say their experiencing high call volume and instructs me to try my call later then hangs up! Not to mention that they are very expensive at $2. per call that lasts only 10 mins each.

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deezy77
Mobile, US
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Mar 19, 2010 12:42 pm EDT

I used globaltelink and they took a $25.00 payment from me and let me use that money once I had a balance of $14.00 left on the prepaid account when the next call came in and they did not give me an option to accept the call only to add more money to the account. I either want my phone call or my $14.00

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12:22 pm EST
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Global Tel Link Inmate phone calls not put through

My son was an inmate at the Greenville County Detention Center in Greenville, SC until 2/9/09. I set up an account with Global Tel*Link on 1/25/09 via their Advance Pay system on the Internet since the previous company (Paytel) was dropped by the jail. I paid them $34.50 and assumed everything was set.

The first time my son tried to call we were disconnected before we could speak. The following day I spoke with a Supervisor and through our conversation determined that the problem was solved and the account was active.

On February 3, 2009 I received a call from my son. On February 12th I received a letter from him saying he had been trying to call me since February 5th and the message he kept getting was "Collect calls are not permitted to this number." This should not have even been a collect call since I still had a credit of $16.34 on my account. I called GTL that day and they gave me some excuse that because the number he called on was a cell phone number and they don't guarantee calls to a cell phone might not be dropped. When I spoke to the Supervisor (Raquel) the day after I opened and paid for the account, she told me that calls to cell phones are rarely dropped and that my son could call me on our home phone too.

What is this company doing? You are at their mercy. Their customer service representatives stink! When they don't have an answer they put you on hold for 10-15 minutes to talk to a supervisor.

I hope you people will notify Mr. Jeffrey Haldinger, president of Alabama-based Global-Tel Link company to advise him of all the complaints about this company. I got his name from our local paper (The Stuart News) that had an article yesterday about collect calls coming from inmates in Port St. Lucie. Please see that the proper people are informed of this problem. Thank you

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Christine Dovey
US
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Jan 22, 2009 6:49 am EST

Global Tel*Link has been nothing but problems since day one. I have an account with them and its consistantly misplaced. I send them money via Western Union and they still seem to misplace my account. Their customer service SUCKS you can rarely get through to them when in need. I think its about time they get some technical help because it seems to me like they cant run this company with out it!

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Tamarah Thompson
US
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Oct 18, 2010 2:15 pm EDT

I just opened an account with global inmate phone services and paid 50.00 and was only able to talk one time! This company s a rip off they charge outrages prices.. 4.95 for service fees and 3.00 for taxes on every 25.00 you spend. They kept me on hold for 45 min waiting to talk to a supervisor. They practice unfair business laws and you are at their mercy wanting to talk to your love one. Please follow up with the better business bureau and even write Congress about their unfair business acts, The FCAA need's to know what they do to the innocent people on the outside. Horrible Horrible company God forbid you are not there to answer your call you will be charged for the call whether you talk or nor not DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE IT WILL RIPPPPPPPPPPPP YOU OFF SEND YOUR LOVE ONE MONEY ON HIS BOOKS THAT YOU WOULD GIVE GLOBAL AND HE CAN BUY A CALLIN CARD! GOD BLESS THE PERSON READING THIS AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

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NATASHA COLE
Jacksonville, US
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Jul 25, 2010 7:14 pm EDT

i usesed globel tel link for the past 90 days to talk to a love one houses at the duval county detention center and on a number of occasions they called and i didn't answer the call for what ever reason and was CHARGED AS IF THE CALL WAS ANSWERED. i don't have money to give away and i think it a shame to have gone true this and not be credited, when i dont have time on the phone they don't just let me anwers as if i had money so i don't think it's fair to take MONEY IF I DON'T ANSWER IN THE FIRST PLACE...

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Staggs
Hohenwald, US
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Mar 03, 2010 4:13 pm EST

I have been taking collect calls from my love one in RiverBend Prison. Suddenley Global Tel Link stop the calls and advise me that the only way I can get his calls now is to pre pay. I have always paid my bill on time and in full every month through my phone company. Now they state that all inmate calls will be set up on pre paid accounts only taking 19% off the top of what you send. Mimum being 25.00 and maxium 110.00. That is flat a rip off. Families are not going to stand for this.

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Angry New Yorker
Any Town, US
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Jan 03, 2010 7:53 pm EST

My husband just tried calling me and the phone call was disconnected after the initial greeting came on. Why the hell is that? I have quite a bit of credit. I pay on time all the time. I haven't even used the credit the company gave me. I am very pissed off right now and would like an answer. This is ###. They got my money and now they disconnect my call from my husband. Thank God My V Connect is taking over. What a worthless fckn company! Come on ignorant NYS prison system for using Global Tel!

Very pissed off NEW YORKER!

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wtf1
US
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Nov 26, 2009 9:37 am EST

I have also had problems with calls being disconnected at the 3 min mark. everytime for the past few days. When I finally was able to talk with a GTL rep( after 3 attempts) first time told to hang on and got hung up on. 2nd call back phone rang twice and I missed the call(i guess as long as they attempt to call good enough for them) and the 3rd time I spoke to someone who was suprisingly friendly...BUT! said the problem wasnt GTL it was my phone provider which I called and everything was fine. or she said it could be the prison. As the person calling me if anyone else was being disconnected with the reply NO. so that leaves one problem GTL! but what can we do? I thought monopolies were illlegal? why isnt there another provider that can cause compitition? its not right! are hands are tied and we are at the mercy of this company..not talking is not a choice

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Andria Bammer
Jacksonville, US
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Apr 05, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

Global Tel Link is an awful business. There company customer service is terrible, they are very rude and they do not credit ANY dropped calls I paid ten dollars for a 3 minute call to my boyfriend in Duval County, this company is an awful company to use to talk to your loved ones in jail or prison.

JaxPrincess777@aol.com
Andria Bammer
Jacksonville, Florida

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3:02 pm EST
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Global Tel Link RIP OFF

I need to complain about this company because they are making so much money off of people, and do not provide a sufficient or half way decent service. I have been dealing with this company for around 2 1/2 months and have spend over $500.
First they charge a fee everytime someone adds money to the account, so for $50 deposit they add only $40 to your account. Then the automated sysytem makes mistakes, can hang up on u, can drop your call, can say you did 3 way calling when you did not, and then say that they have a right to not give you back your money because there are no refunds on cell phones. I HATE this company, and its a shame and a scam that this is the only company that an inmate can use to keep in contact with their families. I wish I could boycott them, but best believe I am going to write to someone who will listen to me about the way customers are treated by this company.

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setthingsstaright
Brooklyn, US
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May 21, 2011 3:58 am EDT
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Should have went with ColdCrib.com they would have treated you better and with respect

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Global Tel Link Outrageous fees

Global Tel Link is the service used by Los Angeles County Jail System, so you can receive collect calls from a person incarcerated in county jail. The phone number I have for them is 800*483*8314 (this is an automated system)

They charged my credit card so I could establish an advance pay account which allows me to accept collect calls made from County Jail.

Over the past 4 days I have deposited $125.00 with them, which covered 8 calls all less than 5 minutes in length.

I deposited another $25.00 yesterday, and received a $14.00 credit towards phone time. The additional $11.00 is their "Service Charge". When you do the math, that comes out to an approx. 73% service charge. HOW IS THIS EVEN LEGAL?

Calls are continually dropped for no reason, yet they refuse to credit back any money for dropped calls. Talking to customer service is impossible, as they just never come to the phone. I have waited well in excess of 2 hours and still not spoken to anyone.

Each 2 - 3 minute call, (calls are within the local calling area) costs on average $10.00. How can that be right?

You do not have the choice to use any other type of collect call billing. So the only choice that families of loved ones who are incarcerated in Los angeles County Jail have, is to either accept this company ripping us off, or not be able to communicate with any one who is incarcerated.

I would appreciate someone letting me know if
1. Is this company not governed by any State Agency
2. Is it legal for them to charge such outrageous fees.
3. Is the State of California investigating this company for illegal business practices.

I have filed a complaint with the BBB, the CPUC, and the Federal Trade commission.

It seems funny to me that an agency serving a county facility is allowed to continue to rip off consumers.

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neodiaa
ggh, US
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Jan 03, 2013 7:42 am EST

a scam

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Arlie Moore
Spring Hill, US
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Jan 03, 2013 7:32 am EST

Yes, they just hooked me into their prepaid service by blocking my son's calls, stating a non-pre existing rule that I can't accept more than $50 in calls in a 90 day period. They blocked my number permanantly because I broke their rule. I have years of phone bills showing that that rule is baloney. This is a new greedy marketing ploy. They are basically pirates holding our loved ones for ransom. GTL charged me a 19% interest fee to add money to MY account. So not only do we pay collect call fees, but an additional 19%! When is it time to arrest these folks?

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MADDIESMOMMY760
VICTORVILLE, US
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Mar 11, 2010 7:21 am EST

REPEATED DROPPED CALLS FOR 3RD PARTY CALLING WHICH IS NEVER THE CASE, HORRIBLE CUSTOMERT SERVICE! I WANT MY GOD DAM MONEY BACK! ANYONE KNOW OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET IT BACK? ILL GO STAND IN FRONT OF THE JAIL AND HAVE THE DAM PETITION SIGNED THIS IS SUCH A SCAM FOR THE COUNTY TO MAKE MONEY! IT MAKES ME TOTALLY SICK! ITS NOT RIGHT AND IT SHOULDN'T BE LEGAL AT ALL!

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jersygrl1969
Pittsgrove, US
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Oct 19, 2009 10:59 pm EDT

Whatever happened to the days when an inmate called you, a recorded voice asked you to accept or reject the collect call, and the call was simply added to your phone bill? Leave it to the ###s of the DOC to find a way to make money off of the loved ones of inmates.

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1:43 pm EST
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Global Tel Link pricing/practices

This company has the monopoly on telephone service to and from jails throughout the Country. Their pricing is astronomical. When pre paid on a credit card, they charge the cardholder an activation fee, EVEN after you have an acct. set up. On top of that, they charge a connection fee for each call AND the minutes dwindle quickly from the INFLATED cost of calls. $25.00 can be used up in less than ten minutes. On a collect call they also charge a connection fee. I have considered calling Dateline or 60 minutes do do a story about them as I believe the pricing they are allowed to charge should be illegal. It's absolutely absurd. Innocent people, guilty people, people awaiting trial...anyone incarcererated has the right to speak with family and friends...excpect family and friends quickly stop phoning becasue they CANNOT afford their prices...Must be deregulated. I could go on and on about this company, but suffice it to say, they are the ones working the sytem and I believe the system is working with them. Someone must have gotten paid real well under the table to have allowed this to happen.

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Global Tel Link No customer service

For anybody else experiencing problems with this company I URGE you to take the route I did and file a report with the better business bureau its very easy you can do it online and you may actually see some results from this ignorant company! They tried to steal $75 credit card payment from me and not credit my account with the payment stating that my zip code was inputted in their system wrong (an error on THEIR PART) however they still collected the payment from my credit card and never credited my account with it, they made me make ANOTHER $75 payment totaling $150 and I had to file a report with the BBB to get the original $75 payment returned (the $75 they said they never collected but showed otherwise on my credit card statement).

Breakdown: Not only did they steal this 75.00 from me and not return it until the BBB got involved, before contacting the BBB I tried to resolve this issue with them myself and waited HOURS at a time being placed in their 'QUEUE' only to never receive a call back and have to call and wait AGAIN I also encountered the plethera of ignorant individuals that are global tel link employees I was hung up on when I asked to speak with a manager my credit card company also called on my behalf and got the same treatment rudeness and then hung up on...I mean it was terrible! by the end of the day I was at my witts end and knew that there was no way I was going to be able to deal with these people on my own. After I involved the BBB a global tel link rep called me back RIGHT AWAY and was just a picture of courtesy! HA! This company is terrible I hate that I have to deal with them and anybody else who feels they are being ripped off PLEASE file a report with the BBB you will see some results and at the very least they can be investigated for their erroneous business practices and poor customer service and hopefully that will make them fix their ways!

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Lana Jezzini
Lancaster, US
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May 28, 2014 2:30 pm EDT

I can no longer deal with the deceit and trickery of this company!Each of us needing the services offered by this ONE AND ONLY company are already enduring trials and tribulations. We are dealing with too much already, both emotionally and financially, to be subjected to this unbearable and unreasonably thieving company! Last time I checked monopolies were against the law. We have no choice but to deal with this company and so they get away with there bad business dealings!

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marlybaby
Fayetteville, US
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May 08, 2011 1:08 pm EDT

The rates are to high, when you have a problem you talk to a machine not a person. Iguess they know they have a lousey company.Istill have money on the phone they won't let me talk to my son.

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AaroneB63
Goodland, US
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Jun 01, 2010 8:23 pm EDT
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Before I make my complaint known. I would like to suggest to everyone who HAS to use GTL, to get together and form your own communication provider "company". I'm not sure what the process is, but it looks like anyone can start up a communication provider service.
Instead of putting out money to RIPOFF companies such as GTL, we should form our own and instead of charging "an arm and a leg" for the service provide, a low rate would be charged with an option to buy stock in the company.
So, if someone knows anyone who would know how to get the thing started, let it be known.
Now for my COMPLAINT.
My fiance called me and I had to set up an account of $25.00 in which I was only able to talk to her for a total of 8 1/2 minutes. Can you believe that!
IT COST ME $25.00 for 8 1/2 MINUTES ! WHAT A RIPOFF !
There has to be a better and cheaper way for people to call and talk to those who are incarcerated.

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GTL SUCKS...
US
Send a message
Jul 09, 2009 6:41 pm EDT

I JUST WROTE A COMPLAINT ON HERE AS WELL UNDER GTL. THEY CASHED A CHECK BEFORE BILL EVEN CAME OUT. PHONE IS DISCONNECTED. BEEN CALLING THE LST FEW WEEKS. WENT TO BANK GOT RECORD OF THEM CASHING. SPOKE TO A REP THAT HAD ME ON HOLD FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. AND NEVER CAME BACK ON LINE. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THEM CASHING IT... WTF MY BANK DOES.. THEY DONT KNOW WHOS CHECKS THEY CASH..UNREAL. SO NOW THEY WANT ME TO RUN AROUND AND FIGURE THIS OUT. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FCC. I WILL BE TAKING YOUR ADVICE AAND FILE WITH THE BBB AS WELL... THANKS...HEATHER-OHIO

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eda
santa monica, US
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Jun 30, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

The money seems like the least of the complaints, it has taken over two weeks to take a "hold" off my account after calling several times a week. Actually I still haven't got it taken off, so it may take another two weeks?

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Ms. Gwen
Bakersfield, US
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Jan 14, 2009 10:59 pm EST

I agree whole heartedly! I recently signed up for gtl corrections billing. I was allowed to set up the account eventhough the phone is in my daughter's name... This company even charged my credit card which is in my name. A week later, I was informed that I can't set up an account because the phone was in my daughter's name, therefore, she would have to do it. I told them I understood and I would like to be issued a refund.

This has been two weeks and the initial fee of $25.00 has not been refunded to my account. My daughter was required to fax a copy of the phone bill, which she did. A week later they could not verify the fax. We played phone tag... with a hit and miss here... and a hang up or insult there. Finally, I get four calls in one day. One said we owe $25.00 more . My daughter tried the phone, to no avail and the website to add money is always having technical difficulty. I want them to be shut down!

Because they are the only game in town, they feel they can treat their customers any kind of way. There's a class action lawsuit forming against gtl, I signed and I suggest you guys do the same.
http://www.sueeasy.com/class_action_detail.php?case_id=331

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Global Tel Link Fraud and scam

GTL has several times said they do not allow 3rd party services to connect their calls because it does not comply with all department of correction regulations. This is incorrect. All the 3rd party services strictly adhere to the requirements of a land line, the number's owner information being readily available, and the phone call can be recorded. No where does it state that the service offered by the 3rd partys cannot be use, yet they use this excuse over and over again to insist that an individual use only their services. This is a monopoly on the service therefore they are able to charge whatever they please with no repercussions. Of course they only accept pre payment.

If I were not to use a 3rd party service, the cost would be $17 per 15 minute phone call. With the service, it is $2.48 per 15 minute call. I was successful in using such a service for 1 month before my account was block and 70% of my deposited funds were suddenly depleted despite minimal phone activity. I will not let this go. If there is to be any class action suit, I would be EXTREMELY interested in going to court over this.

I encourage everyone to file a report with the federal trade commission with specific complaints of over charges. Additional, I will dispute the payment from my credit card. instructions on credit card protection is also outlined on the FTCs web site.

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fucku
US
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Sep 05, 2018 3:17 pm EDT

THIS IS [censored] THIS IS A SCAM - THEY SAY THAT MY PROVIDER DOES NOT ACCEPT COLLECT CALLS - [censored]
THEY ARE TRYING TO STEAL YOUR MONEY AND MAKE IT WHERE WE CAN NOT TALK TO OUR FAMILY MEMBER - WE NEED TO GET THEM TO STOP THIS [censored] NOW - WE HAVE CHANGED OUR NUMBER 3 TIMES AND HOLY CRAP GUESS WHAT WE CAN GET CALLS THEN 3 MNTHS LATER THEY FIND OUT SOMEHOW AND STOP THE CALLS SAYING WE HAVE TO GET THE ACCOUNT THROUGH THEM --- FING A**HOLES

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jakalaki
US
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Feb 04, 2017 8:38 am EST

I am getting double charged--charged for two calls a day when I only have one. For example, this morning, my friend cannot call until 6:30 am, as that is when the phones turn back on and so he called at 6:30 for 20minutes. though it is NOT POSSIBLE to call twice from the time the phones turned on (6:30-6:50 am), there are charges for TWO phone calls on my transaction history. I also have a cell phone and it has an instant and accurate record of calls made. So does my phone bill. I have noticed the charges for TWO calls on days when there is only one call often (FRAUD) and will be submitting all of this information to my attorney--this kind of thing results in law suits that REQUIRE the company to pay ALL ATTORNEYS FEES, so they are going to pay in the end for their CRIMINAL ACTS. And the uneducated, illiterate ### on the first page who says he works for GTL and talked down to all the people using the service--talking down to the people who pay HIS wages, is one of those who should be LOCKED UP with all the OTHER CRIMINALS (most of whom have better codes of ethics and respect than he does). Hypocrite. Don't go around accusing others of what you're guilty of. It will come back to bite. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER and I am absolutely on board. GTL, we are not all as dumb and uneducated as you are. We are not lowlifes like you are. Your assumptions are getting you into very hot water. Good. You'll be hearing from me again in more formal venues. Promise.

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Fantina Centeno
US
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Dec 27, 2015 5:55 pm EST

OMG, I knew it. My son has been telling me to call the number to set up a phone account and I have done it 3 times. The first two times using my discover card for $50. then $25. and his calls can't get through. I get an automated system saying that an inmate at a correctional institution is trying to make a call but because there are no funds, the call can't be made. I then put $25. using my debit card, and got the same message when he called last night. I have already disputed the charges with discover and they are investigating it, and tomorrow I have to call my bank to dispute the last $25. I put on there. When I called customer support, it took a very long time for some one to pick up and when she did, it sounded like she was sitting in her living room. I could tell the whole thing is a scam and all the numbers associated with them are interconnected. She told me that another company shares their web site and that the first $50. I paid, went to that other company, and that I should call a different number she gave me, but when I called the number, it routed me back to her number. What a fiasco. This company is definitely taking advantage of families with loved ones in prison. They need to be sought after and criminally charged.

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ANTI GTL
Los Angeles, US
Send a message
Apr 25, 2015 5:52 pm EDT

HAS ANYONE RECIVED ANY REFUND OR CREDIT BACK TO THERE ACCOUNT? THEY TOOK ABOUT 35$ OFF MY ACCOUNT AND I OUT 5$ EACH DAY THEY STATED THEY DIDNT TAKE MONEY OFF MY PHONE THEN WHEN I SPEAK TO A SUPERVIOSR THEY STATE THEY DID BUT LEGALLY MY PHONE RECORDS SHOW THERWISE THIS IS A SCAM WE ALL NEED TO DO SOMETHING!

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Terri Perry
San Leandro, US
Send a message
May 31, 2009 6:12 pm EDT

half the call from this inmate are dropped

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STACI FRASER
Savannah, US
Send a message
Oct 27, 2014 1:52 am EDT

THEY TOOK MY MONEY AND I DIDNT RECEIVED NO SERVICES .MY LOVEONE COULDNT CALL AND I WAS OUT OF MY MONEY THE NUMBER THEY GAVE ME WAS BOGUS

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monie davis
Kokomo, US
Send a message
Oct 08, 2014 10:22 pm EDT

i live ten minutes away from the prison that my husband is in and each call is about $8.00, not to mention they have alot of dropped calls

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Eli gurung
Farnborough, GB
Send a message
Dec 22, 2013 9:28 am EST

Globel tel link is one if biggest scam company. They took money from my bank without my concern. When I asked them how come they can talk money from my account they told me if I don't cancell my account with in 30 days, they can talk money from my bank. Though I told them I don't want global link service on phone when they told me to put the money on account. But they said to me, I didn't cancelled officially. When I was trying to call them all numbers are not in service or out service. After they taken out my £20 from my bank. I tried to ring but none if numbers are working. They stolen my £20 and so they others too. They have made millions £ and € from innocent people. They should get punishment. Why government can't control these type of millions £ scam company. £20 was my 3 hours wages.

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Jean
US
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Dec 16, 2008 6:14 am EST

GTL has several times said they do not allow 3rd party services to connect their calls because it does not comply with all department of correction regulations. This is incorrect. All the 3rd party services strictly adhere to the requirements of a land line, the number's owner information being readily available, and the phone call can be recorded. No where does it state that the service offered by the 3rd party's cannot be use, yet they use this excuse over and over again to insist that an individual use only their services. This is a monopoly on the service therefore they are able to charge whatever they please with no repercussions. Of course they only accept pre payment.

If I were not to use a 3rd party service, the cost would be $17 per 15 minute phone call. With the service, it is $2.48 per 15 minute call. I was successful in using such a service for 1 month before my account was block and 70% of my deposited funds were suddenly depleted despite minimal phone activity. I will not let this go. If there is to be any class action suit, I would be EXTREMELY interested in going to court over this.

I encourage everyone to file a report with the federal trade commission with specific complaints of over charges. Additional, I will dispute the payment from my credit card. instructions on credit card protection is also outlined on the FTCs web site.

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Eyleeia55
US
Send a message
Jun 17, 2012 9:57 pm EDT

I am in Mass.and I have a loved one in Gardner and the calls come right to my phone. No pre paid just right from the prison to my HOUSE phone though Global Tel* Link ! The cost is $2.86 per call for a 20 minute call. I also did hear that u had to have a house phone to get calls from the Prisons. If u are useing a cell phone that may be why u are having this problem with the billing. They may be useing the name but have nothing to do with the actual service. I was thinking about using this so called service inline and am now glad I don't.

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3:44 pm EST

Global Tel Link unauthorized billing

globe telelink, with out notice or warning placed a block on my phone leaving me unable to speak with my son who is in a correctional facility. They did this even thought I had established a third party billing account with another company. When I contacted them they literally forced me to set up an account with them in order to hear for my child. They then went back and recharged me for calls that I had paid for with my first company. There consumer service rep stated that I would have to jump through several hoops to fix the billing problem even though she could clearly see that my account with them was set up nearly three weeks after I started receiving calls from the correctional facility.

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JO-JO
Camden, US
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Feb 10, 2011 8:46 pm EST

I feel that globel telink over charges people who have loved ones incarcerated. We already have to make sure that they are tooken care of while in prison and that's alot! Now in order for us to able to talk to our loved ones we have to kick out an arm and a leg. Globel telink is a rip-off! Some thing really needs to be done about them. And I never even heard of a globel until my man got locked up. Are they even liget?!

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6:37 pm EDT

Global Tel Link RUDE, MONOPOLIZING, RIP-OFF SCAMS

Customer service persons speak to you in rude and condensending manner. A MONOPOLIZING, RIP-OFF company. WE DESERVE RESPECT AND SERVICES FOR MONEY THAT YOU TAKE FROM US! Personally I think its Un-American to only offer one company to choose from for services that so many people need and paying mint for! The dept of corrections are probably getting kick-backs for letting Global Tel have the monopoly!

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heddas68
Pasco, US
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Jan 22, 2009 8:49 am EST

MONOPOLY is the correct word in fact. as this other person, "Tiffany" comments, there are other companies that offer the same types of service, BUT, you don't get to pick and choose! You are not given an option of which company you would like to go thru. It's either GTL or nothing! That's not right at all. So I think it's fair to say that GTL is monopolizing the industry and SOMEONE is obviously getting the kickbacks from it too. I think we all know who that is!

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Tiffany
Send a message
Oct 19, 2008 9:46 am EDT

Oh whatever! GTL doesn't have a as you state "monopoly" on this industry. They just happen to be the company that services the facility that your loved one is in. There ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES that exist that also provide this service:

Correctional Billing Service(CBS), T-Netix, Securus, just to name a few.

So your claim is this being "UN-American" is a complete fabrication.

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11:00 pm EDT

Global Tel Link Better business bureau

Let me tell you about global tellink yes the customer service is garbage i called on several different occasions and requested to speak with at least 3 of the represenatives superviser and i too was hung up on by the employees i never got a return call from those pigs that they call employees as well as the fact that i paid for a calling card that as soon as my fiance called me one time on the card the message system said that there was no more minutes left on the card it took me two long months to get them to put my money back so that he could continue to call me from jail.The only reason why they agreed to do this because i reported this company to the better business bureau and they contacted them i suggest that everyone whom is complaining about this company a;ll get together and swarm the bbb with complaints so that it may propmt someone of a higher office to investigate them i have spent more than one thousand dollars with this company and i have every reciept to show for this as a matter of fact i paid for a calling card tonight at 800pm and the minutes are not loaded as of yet and it is midnight if they think they will get away with my money they are so wrong! As a matter of fact if there is anyone out there that had purchased minutes from this place and they have a loved one in jail that something terrible has happened to them while they were incarcerated and should have had minutes during the time period and they were not able to contact any one due to the fault of this scamming ### company should get a lawyer and sue this company to let them know that it is dead ### wrong to cheat people out of thier hard earned cash just to benefit thier pockets with thier ghetto ### hoes and punk ### dudes answering the phones there.

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First Thought
Seattle, US
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Oct 12, 2009 12:21 pm EDT

Sounds like this person is pissed a bit. Maybe not so much at GTL but at the "loved one" who can't seem to get/stay out of jail. I have delt with GTL on several occasions and have seen about 60 to 80 percent refunds come from inmates that have submitted for refunds due to dropped or disconnected calls. GTL has a standing policy not to refund on calls made to cell phones because they can not be responsible for bad reception and dead zones. The inmates are made aware of this fact inside the facilities and yet attempt over and over again after the first disconnect. In fairness to GTL there are several inmates that attempt to call numbers without collect call access or billing issues due to VoIP issues with the new companies (Comcast, MagicJack etc).

It is often connected to the type of folks that are in the lockups today. Call it Karma or whatever but judging by the remarks make by the person above, your success in life seems to be directly connected to your method in living. This person seems to receive the same profits they project. I would guess with some certainty that this reaches far past the boundaries of just dealing with GTL.

So let's assume that everyone is. "ghetto ### hoes and punk ### dudes " just because this is most likely the only type of people you have been raised to admire!

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9:08 pm EDT

Global Tel Link Customer Services needs alot more training

None of the customer service representatives that I have spoken with are consistent with their knowledge of how this service works. I feel like I was penalized (and actually I was) for making a payment before it was due. When I first subscribed to this company, I asked for all the details as to how this service worked. This is a prepaid service but no matter how much money you have in your account you are only allowed a certain amount of calls per month. Your calls do not roll over to the next month. They give you a choice of about 3 or 4 amount of calls to choose from, and of course the least amount of calls you pick for the month, the least amount of money is needed for the prepay. I was told that whichever amount I decided to start with that I could increase the amount after 2 months of service, as long as I never had any pastdue payments. Well, I choose the second to the highest, which was 18 calls per month and had to prepay $150.00 to start off. I would have liked the next step up because my husband has been ill (he is in a medical correctional facility) but that step was over $300.00 to start, which was alot for me to have to pay at one time. I felt that if there weren't enough calls, at least I could raise the amount of calls in 2 months and it was explained to me that after my 18 calls I would still have a credit balance on my account, but I would not be allowed anymore calls until the 1st of the following month. Well, I called a week or so before my 2nd month and they told me that I needed to wait until my 2nd billing cycle. So I called about a week after the 2nd billing had come and the cust. serv. person was very nice and told me that she had to put in a request and a supervisor would make the final decision about the extra calls I was requesting, and she told me to call back in a week. I still had a credit from my opening payment, but it was around $24.00/25.00 and being it was so early into the month I had more calls left then the money on my account would cover, so I decided to make a $100.00 payment even though my billing statement still showed a credit. Well, the following week I called to see if they had any word yet about adding any additional calls and was denied. Can you believe that I was denied because I made a payment! I had never been informed by any of the other cust. serv. people that when they said 2 months wait before additional add ons they meant that I actually had to wait until I had made 2 separate payments, but the payments have to be amounts owed on my bill. If you have a credit and make a payment, it doesn't count towards the 2 payments they need.(it was explained to me that was the way they could determine if I would be making my payments.)To me that does not make any sense being that I had just put $100.00 to make sure my account didn't run out.(Isn't that making my payment?) When I pointed that out to this cust. service person I also said that it was never explained right to me, and also then why did the cust. serv. person that I had spoken to the week before taken information to submit for my request? I was told very nonchalantly "well, I don't know why it wasn't explained correctly, but that is how it is". I started to ask for a supervisor when she told me she would gladly submit a request for one to call me and I just hung up. I was so disgusted because I have no other company to switch over to. They are the one and only service provider to this prison. They all need better training and the last one I spoke to needs to remember that she is a customer service rep, and they are paid to be helpful and they should be polite.

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RONJACK
Maspeth, US
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Mar 15, 2012 1:18 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

DON'T FEEL SO BAD I DID THE $25 AND STILL DIDN'T GET A CALL FROM THE INMATE IT SAYS THAT I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE CALL. SO NOW I'AM TRYING TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THAT IS HARD TO DO.. THEY DON'T LIKE TO GIVE BACK THE MONEY THEY TAKE SO FAST..THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PLACE THAT GAVE ME WRONG INFO SO I GUESS WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS TO SMALL CLAMS COURT FOR THE MONEY AND WRONG INFO...GOOD LOCK TO YOU GETTING THE INFO YOU NEED...

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K
9:23 am EDT

Global Tel Link Overcharges and rip off

Does anyone else with loved ones in Mass. DOC suffering from this same RIP OFF from Global Tel?

From of Mass. DOC inmate:

"After calling family I noticed that Global Tel charged me a lot more than they should have. I am in the process of trying to get it straightened out. I wrote and complained about it and they basically told me that I have my figures wrong. The Officer in Charge of handling the complaints showed me a print out of all the calls that I have made so far and it shows on their print out the correct price for each call. If I talk for 20 minutes it should cost $12.65, that's $2.25 for making the call and 52 cents a minute. The maximum time I can talk for is 20 minutes. They charged me $14.82 per call! This comes out to be about 25 minutes.

(The call timer on the recipient’s phone usually says 20 minutes 33 seconds before the phone is disconnected). Also, the balance on the print out from the Officer in Charge stated my balance was $134.12 when I called placed a call just a couple of minutes later the balance stated at the beginning of the call said it was $122.98... where did the $11.14 vanish?

It seems an easy way to track this fraud would be to go get a print out of my account which shows all my calls up to that minute and then go and get on a phone and hear what Global Tel says I have in my account. Easy, right? Well, it shows that they are charging a whole lot more than they are providing.
I believe that I am right and that this phone company is perpetrating ripping off everyone to the tune of a whole lot of money just by configuring the time wrong!

Check your balances and see if they match... I bet they won't.

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S
6:52 am EDT

Global Tel Link Service-money scam

STOP DON'T USE THEM...My sister was arrested and called me from the local jail. Global tel-link a company used by the city jail charges a minimum of $25 to connect the call. After completed a lengthy transaction the call was set to be connected...after a series of beeps the call disconnected. I immediately went through another long process of contacting the service and long story short they charged me $4.75 to run my card and a $5.00 fee to get a refund of a service I never used and never would, because by the time it was done... my sister had been released. So in other words its not worth if the person isnt going to be there for a while and they charge a processing fee and if you dont use you balance you have to pay to get your money. So for no service I paid $9.75 and received 15.25 back... this is definitely a scam.

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Carol
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Nov 24, 2008 12:55 pm EST

GTL should never be allowed to provide phone service to anyone. Whenever I try to add money to my prepay account, I have to go through a customer service rep. The automated service always says my card was declined, no matter how much money I have on it. Once I get through and get money on my account, the system says my inmate hasn't called me in 6 months, although he tried to call yesterday and the day before. They tell me I have to have the prisoner make out a complaint ticket, I can't do that myself. So, I'm stuck waiting until he receives my letter, fills out the complaint ticket and they decide to work on the problem. On top of that, the prison says they can't do anything -- this is GTL's problem, not theirs.

I asked to talk with a supervisor. I was placed on hold for 30 minutes, and then hung up on.

ComplaintsBoard
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9:42 am EDT

Global Tel Link WORST SERVICE EVER/BLOCK ON PHONE

WORST SERVICE EVER. I SWEAR. THEY PUT A BLOCK ON MY PHONE WITHOUT A WARNING OR ANYTHING AND THEN TEHY ALWAYS SAY THEY HAD 3 WAY CALL DETECTING KNOWING THAT THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT MADE TO MAKE A 3 WAY CALL AND THEN AFTER ALL THAT THEY CHARGE YOU ANOTHER CONNECTION FEE JUST TO CALL BACK WHEN THERE WAS NO MISTAKE MADE IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT IS SOOOOO AGGRAVATING.
THEN WHEN I CALL TO FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON I GET THE RUDEST PERSON AND THEN SHE PUTS ME ON HOLD FOR LIKE HALF AN HOUR. THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT SOME MANNERS

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barbara israelian
Catskill, US
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Mar 12, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

my husband has been trying to contact me for weeks, my balance is fine, i even opened a second account account on my cell phone in case it was my service. they are willing to keep accepting money, but not to let mr accept phone calls. customer service is nonexistant, actually i think its a scam. and you cant use a third party because global tel. has the facilitties monopolized. we have childen who need to communicate with their father, theres no way to make this happen, at the cost of $2 a min. i believe the county should step-up and stop ripping off innocent victims

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globaltellink is a complainantin scam
Redwood City, US
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Feb 25, 2009 5:58 pm EST

they didnt have a problem charging my credit card but i havent had any service an inmate tries to call but the call never goes thru my cell phone carrier says there is no problem the jail says they have no problems with their phone system trying to get someone on the phone at globaltellink is impossible evry phone number [protected], [protected], [protected], [protected], [protected], are all a recording and always say they have too many calls and to call back its the same at any time you call its ### poor cust. service a ###in ripoff and im ###in getting pissed off

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PWScott
Stilwell, US
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Nov 11, 2010 6:22 pm EST

The prices GlobalTelLink charges are ridiculous. They should not be given any contract (state or federal).

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ledwards
Los Angeles, US
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Jun 30, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

this is the biggset rip off since pay day advances. The government and state agenices should be investigating these people.

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Toni
Richmond, US
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Jan 16, 2009 9:38 am EST

Their service is the absolute worst! They are the real criminals and the ones who should be behind bars! They have numerous hidden fees, and are liars.
If you can get around not using their services, than do so.

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Juicy
Dayton, US
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Sep 14, 2009 6:12 pm EDT

Something does need to be done about GTL! I've always kept enough money in my account so that my son would always be able to call. The last time he called GTL said that he only had 13 minutes left. That was a lie! I still had $179+ on my account. When I tried to contact them, they have a voice that indicates that Monday and Tuesdays are their high volume call days and to call back at a later time. I did! I'm at work and was on hold for approximately 1/2 an hour waiting for the manager to speak with me because he/she was the only person that could straighten out my account. The CSR that answered my call was very polite and tried in every way to assist me. She apologized for me being on hold for so long. My son still hasn't called and I truly believe that they did not correct this matter. When I tried to call today, 9/14/09, I was told about the high volume of calls and to try later.

What can be done to get better respect from GTL? Where I work the customer is always right. The customer is the reason why they're in business. What would happen if everyone cut off the service that they provide? Do you think that they'll treat us better.

What GTL does not realize is that we aren't inmates, yet they treat us like we are? Somebody think of something that we can do. They are not going to cheat me out of $178+.

Connie Marshall
Dayton, Ohio

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ALESSANDERW BASSINO
LT
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Jul 07, 2009 11:58 am EDT

I CAN'T EVEN CONNECT THIS STUPED
PHONE

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mommabear
US
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Feb 05, 2009 7:18 pm EST

I am appalled with gtl. They have just frustrated and gouged me out of money- for what!? NOTHING! This company is out to abuse and use the paying customer. I am sure that what they are doing is criminal. No other American business would ever be able to get away with what they do. I plan to contact the Better Business Bureau as well as the Attorney General.

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tired of gtl in va
Richmond, US
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Feb 04, 2009 1:20 pm EST

gtl has blocked my loved one from calling we have no idea why. His calls were coming through fine on monday, on tuesday he wasn't able to call. I tried adding money to the account but it continues to decline me cards. I have been calling the company for two days without a response, just placed on hold and then told my time is important so my number will be added to the kiosk and answered in the order received...still waiting for them to call while typing this. Something must be done.

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juice
Huntington, US
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Jan 30, 2009 7:20 pm EST

got a new phone number called to have the balance transferred to my new number and rep procesed it and said a manager would call me back and that was 2 months ago and still have not received that call or my balance has not been transferred to my newc phone number. Now that is what you call bad service!

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L
10:46 am EDT

Global Tel Link block on phone

my son is in london ohio correctional and until 130 pm july 31 i have been receiving collect calls from him. today he tried to call me and was told by global tel link that you have a block on my phone and could not receive calls from him. why why why? i owe you nothing as i pay my bill through my own telephone company. i want this block lifted now and not to happen again

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what the hell i want
Long Beach, US
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May 09, 2012 9:43 am EDT

How about you shut up i pay my taxes to so what if I pay for there needs that doesnt MEAN GBL HAS TO RUN OFF WITH OUR ###ING MONEY SERIOUSLY . I HAve a boyfriend in jail and im paying my money to talk when gbl just ###ing us out our money thats a damn shame seriously. we work hard for our money and i expect my respect when im paying my money for what i want [censored]

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One day at a time
US
Send a message
Jan 05, 2012 7:36 am EST

Not happy woth their service at all! THEY
SHOULD CLOSE GTL DOWN!
Where is our money going with all these fees there charging & not refunding is!
Either shape up the company or it will be shipped out!

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Ms Maryann
banning, US
Send a message
Sep 30, 2010 2:06 pm EDT

My husband's little cousin is in prison and he has been trying to call us, but his call won't come through because of a block. We have always been able to receive calls before without any problems. And, it has been MONTHS since we've accepted calls. So why the block now? I will post once someone answers this DAMN phone...I have been on hold for 25 minutes!

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briscoegirl
Pinellas Park, US
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Jan 29, 2010 3:52 pm EST

The worst company ever. I ca't get the block lifted i only spent 33 dollars and my bill is paid. does any one know who I can contact? I tried my phone company but that didn't
work. Ive been on the phone 3 hours arguing with them.

Briscoegirl65@aol.com

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MENTOREY08
247 HiGHWAY 317, US
Send a message
Sep 15, 2009 7:09 pm EDT

GLOBAL TEL LiNK KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOiNG iN EVERY WAY. ii JUX CALLED THEM AND ASKED THEM WHY DOES MY ACCOUNT SAY THAT THERE iS 23 DOLLARS BUT WHEN MY FiANCE CALLS iT SAYS THAT ii HAVE iNSUFFiCiENT FUNDS? THEY TOLD ME THAT ii AM RECEiViNG CALLS ON A CELLPHONE SO iT iS NOT PROMiSED THAT ii WiLL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT ANY CALLS. ii TOLD HER, "WELL ii JUX ACCEPTED A CALL A MiNUTE AGO AND WE TALKED THE WHOLE FiFTEEN MiNUTES." SHE SAiD, "WELL JUX BECAUSE YOU WERE ABLE TO ACCEPT iT BEFORE DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ACCEPT iT AGAiN." SHE WAS VERY RUDE AND NOW i'M ABOUT TO CALL AGAiN AND GET iGNORANT BECAUSE THiS MAKES NO SENSE. SHE TOLD ME ALL ii CAN DO iS REQUEST A REFUND. ii HATE THiS PHONE COMPANY. ii WOULD RATHER MY MAN BE iN A FACiLiTY WHERE THERE iS BETTER PHONE SERViCE! ii HAVE PAiD TOO MUCH MONEY TO GLOBAL TEL LiNK. ONE TiME ii PAiD 18.23 FOR ONE PHONE CALL AND THEY SAiD iT WAS BECAUSE OF THE DiSTANCE FROM THEiR TOWERS, BUT ii WAS THE SAME DiSTANCE AND THE CALLS WERE 4.69. THEY ARE STUPiD AND i'M TiRED OF THEM! THE CUSTOMER SERViCE REPS DO NOT HAVE A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATiON, SENSE, OR MANNERS!

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Pat
Send a message
Sep 09, 2008 12:03 pm EDT

This global tel link is uch a joke. I am wondering if it is a scam because they keep calling me saying an inmate is trying to reach me etc. but when I call them back I get a run around. It says no one has tried to reach me in the past six months.Why are they still calling me then and why don't hey say who it is who's trying to reach you?ugh!

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vicky horn
Send a message
Aug 30, 2008 6:14 am EDT

I have had the same problems you all have stated. I, too am a good paying customer, I, too get cut off after the first few minutes so we have to incur the higher first minute when my husband calls back. I have to pre pay because my payment was not posted on time. The rates are outrageous, the customer service people are as you stated above very rude and even state that this is part of the price we pay as loved ones for our family or someone we love for doing wrong. What can we do? Is there an option, is there any other company we can use? Can we file maybe a petetion with the state or states we are in complaining. They do not seem to care or realize for some of us this is the only communication we have with someone we love. That in itself is hard enough. Open for ideas if anyone has a suggestion. Vicky Horn, Tennessee

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Rasstea
Sutter, US
Send a message
Aug 16, 2008 7:39 pm EDT

I have had the same problems that many of you are talking about. GTL doesn't care about the family. They are only interested in our funds. It seems that during my conversations with my loved one, the calls get cut off. My loved calls back incurring, yet the higher rate for the first minute. This has happened too many times for it to be a coincidence. I was informed by a operator (who did call me back after about an hour or so) that I had reached my "magic number of calls". Okay, does anyone else know the magic number that when it is reached a block is put on your phone and you now become a prepaid plan member. Oh, just incase you haven't experienced this one, if you pay the $50.00, you get a $10.00 service fee for some reason. It is ridiculous that this company is being allowed to charge such high prices. I'm not sure why we the parents, family, loved ones, sisters, brothers, and everyone else are being charge such high prices. I'm not sure why the operators feel it is there duty to "punish us" and treat us so rudely! I think it is time that this company has some competition by another company and we need to do our part and complain to everyone. I've contacted the BBB, Federal trade commission, California Government compliants, and several other areas. I'm looking at contacting the news media. Someone is getting rich! We aren't getting our calls and the rates are unfair.

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carolyn
Bridgeport, US
Send a message
Aug 05, 2008 10:59 am EDT

GLOBAL TEL LINK DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ANYTHING -I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THEM SINCE i HAVE HAD THIS ACCOUNT WITH THEM -I CALL THEM THEY PLACE ME ON HOLD THEY HANG UP ON ME THEY PUT ME IN A SUPERVISOR QUE WHERE I WAS SUPPOSSED TO BE CALLED BACK AND 2 -3 DAYS LATER THERE IS STILL NO RETURN CALL-I HAVE HAD MY PHONE ACCOUNT FOR 7 YEARS I HAVE BEEN SUCH A GOOD PAYING CUSTOMER MY LIMIT WAS UP TO $350.00 BECAUSE THEY SAID I DIDNT PAY MY BILL ON TIME -THEY HAVE NOW DROPPED ME DOWN TO A 50.00 LIMIT AND I HAVE TO PAY MY WHOLE BALANCE BECAUSE IT IS NOW OVER THE $50 LIMIT-I AM SO UPSET EVERYTIME SOMETHIGN LIKE THIS HAPPENS THEIR ATTITUDE IS THEY DONT CARE AND ITS NOT MY FAULT THAT THEY DONT POST THEIR PAYMENTS ON TIME -THEY RAISED ME FROM 300-350 ON SATURDAY AND THEN ON SUNDAY THEY HAVE THE BLOCK ON AND THEN TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF RAISING THE LIMIT I DONT HAVE THE TIME AND ENERGY ANYMORE TO DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY THEY THOUGHT THEY DID A GREAT THING TO SWITCH FROM MCI THEY LOWERED THE RATES BUT THE SERVICE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS FAR WORSE THAN MCI -----AND HER EI AM STILL UNABLE TO SPEAK TO MY HUSBAND BECAUSE NO ONE WILL TALK TO ME ----

Overview of Global Tel Link complaint handling

Global Tel Link reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Jan 4, 2008. The latest review Horrible, terrible service!! was posted on Feb 18, 2025. The latest complaint Video calls to inmates was resolved on Dec 28, 2014. Global Tel Link has an average consumer rating of 2 stars from 140 reviews. Global Tel Link has resolved 37 complaints.
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  1. Global Tel Link Contacts

  2. Global Tel Link phone numbers
    +1 (877) 856-3184
    +1 (877) 856-3184
    Click up if you have successfully reached Global Tel Link by calling +1 (877) 856-3184 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Global Tel Link by calling +1 (877) 856-3184 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Global Tel Link by calling +1 (877) 856-3184 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Global Tel Link by calling +1 (877) 856-3184 phone number
  3. Global Tel Link emails
  4. Global Tel Link address
    3120 Fairview Park Dr., Ste 300, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042-4570, United States
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  6. Janet
    Checked and verified by Janet This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Jun 30, 2025
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Global Tel Link is ranked 3 among 12 companies in the Phone Directory category

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Terrible service!
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