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Global Tel Link
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2.1 139 Reviews

Global Tel Link Complaints Summary

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

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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
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
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
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
,
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
,
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
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
,
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
,
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
,
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
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
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
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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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...

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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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8:46 pm EST
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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
Jan 03, 2013 7:42 am EST

a scam

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Arlie Moore
Spring Hill, US
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
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
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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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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6:45 am EST
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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...

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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
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
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
,
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
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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G
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
Mar 15, 2012 1:18 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment 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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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
,
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.

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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 07, 2009 11:58 am EDT

I CAN'T EVEN CONNECT THIS STUPED
PHONE

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mommabear
, US
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
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
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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10:46 am EDT
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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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