TracFone Wireless
reviews and complaints

The above phone was bought from QVC on 11/30/21. About a month later I had a brain fog and forgot the password to the phone. Since I had contacted Tracfone to activate the phone I contacted Tracfone with this issue. I called sometimes two to three times a day - long 30-45-1 hr wait times. They stated they would look into it. A representative then suggested that I send the phone to them and they would re-boot it. So I mailed it off on 1/8/22, via UPS per their instructions. Again I am calling as to why it was taking so long for them to return my phone - they told me it was there -tied up in their warehouse.

The last call I made was 4/4/22, at that time a representative stated they would place an "escalated ticket" and the phone would be returned in 7-10 days. It's now July 11, 2022 and no phone. I also wrote a letter to the Executive Resolution Department - Attention President, Miami FL, on May 6, 2022 and have received no reply

This is an FYI to educate your customer service. On July 8, 2022 my cellphone got wet and became inoperable. I 'chatted' with customer service rep Jean around 8pm to ask how to access text msgs on my computer. I'd read about this option (on google) and was told it was possible. There were problems with account verification: they tried sending code to my phone - which is broken, then to email and it didn't go through, then they had the wrong info in my account at their end (it was fine online when I looked at it). It was not resolved on the 8th. On the 9th I called customer svc. Again told, by BJ (I think) this was possible but there were the same problems with account verification. Requested to speak with a manager. During their call transfer I was disconnected. Tried again. Disconnected again. The third rep said that she was not allowed to transfer me to a supervisor. Around 6pm on the 9th went through all of the info for account verification to then be told the server was down; they'd call me at 10pm. This manager got the account verification done quickly by sending the code to a burner phone I just bought.

Then...she told me that it is not possible for me to access text msgs on my computer unless I'd previously sync'd it with google. Of course now I can't as the phone is broken.

I spent about 4 hours, over the course of 2 days, trying to retrieve texts only to now learn that it wasn't possible. If Jean had told me this on the 8th I still wouldn't have my texts but I wouldn't have spent hours on this. Your customer service reps need to be further instructed on what can and cannot be done, and not waste customers time.

I've been a good customer of Tracfone for many years. I have 2 of their phones. Last year I got a notice that one of my phones service would expire. After a lot of hassle, problems with the website, I was finally able to renew with an online person only to find out that they had notified me 6 months early! Frustrating!

That being said, my other phone expired yesterday. I went to the website about a week ago and tried to sign in. The website continued to tell me that all of my info was invalid, including the phone that has a year's service still left, and wouldn't let me sign in! I wasted 2 hours on this. I went through the same hassle yesterday. So I finally called to renew the service but they didn't include the service I wanted that was listed as available services on their website but they wouldn't allow me to sign into. It was an automated service with no real person to interact with. Not sure what has happened to this company but it has become almost not worth the effort to use their advertised services.

For the past 4-6 weeks I have called [protected] for help to activate the refurbished phone that I was sent by Tracfone as a replacement for my current flip phone.

New SER #: [protected]

New SIM #: [protected]

PIN# 7286 Set up new for this activation

My old SIM # is [protected] (for ID purposes)

Email: vince.[protected]@gmail.com. Contact phone # and email for this problem: [protected]: [protected]@windstream.net as mine are not activated.

Fifteen attempts to activate this phone have failed. There seems to be a phone number (not mine) on this SIM card that prevents activation. I can neither receive or make calls, emails, or messages. I am told the phone is activated but it is not fully functional. Verifying my account has been a nightmare. The only way they would do it was by my highschool name: Buckhorn. This process took at least 30 minutes and then I was passed on to an upper tech. As soon as this happened, I choose 1 or 3 and then got a dial tone---for at least 15 times over the last 6 weeks. Not good PR for your company. I am disabled and on a small fixed income and this phone is my lifeline. I buy minute cards as I don't have a credit card. I have minutes on my old phone I want transferred as well.

I recently got dropped from service because my old tracfone is too old. They sent me a new phone BUT they can port the phone #, service time and minutes to my new phone which is worth almost $200. They say they have to verify me. So I can't receive text on my old phone, it is inactivated. I haven't used my credit card with them in the last 90 days so these don't work and then my phone #s I've called out with don't register with their computer. I've tried 6 different live calls with them and they can't solve it for me so they have stolen my $200 essentially. Is there a way to override the system. I can tell them my SIM and serial # and how many minutes and service dates I have. No one else would know that.

Please help me. You can call me at [protected]

i have been trying to resolve a problem with this phone for4 days now and have been left on hold for hours and explained the problem to several tf agents. i have been a tf customer for many years. I need this phone fixed the issue is; I can not git int my account on the phone. in the past it was showing my balance and would allow me to add air time via pre paid card. when i try to open my account it says "SORY SOMETHING WENT RONG" try again. HELP

Tracfone rips customers off with their data scam. They make the data needed for updates wipe all the minutes and texts out. How are these scumbags not in jail ?

I recently requested a Verizon Sim card as suggested. Moved service from T Mobil to Verizon. My 12-year-old TracFone account was deactivated and I was 3 days without phone service. The only way I was able to establish service was to purchase a new Data/Phone/Text service plan. TracFone did not migrate available Data/Phone/Text a huge loss.

For company, the following information is provided last four # on my Sim is 0499 and my account number ends with 3804.

In addition, to add to my frustration TracFone and Verizon have automated all Customer Service. All weekend I continued to attempt to get to a person or a chat and was unsuccessful. 611611 was of little to no help.

They only option left to me was to establish my account by purchasing a new plan of Data/Phone/Text. After 12 yr of supporting Tracfone I am disappointed and very angry. Will publish my displeasure to every site possible.

I have had this phone number [protected] and done business with TracFone since 2015. I have a pre-paid service plan (to 11/16/2022), built up minutes, and data.

My problem all started when I received a message (on my phone) from TracFone on March 21, 2022 to - Your phone will no longer work on our network. After clicking on the message and spoke with them; they said they would mail me out a free compatible phone. TracFone then deactivated this number - gave my new phone a new # [protected] without transferring anything to my new phone. They ended up shutting of service to my new phone. I finally got them to transfer my service to the new phone number. After about a week they shut off my service and gave me back my original phone number… back and forth they went with these phone numbers. They continue to say they are getting an error. I have all kinds of proof attached - of what they have done. Still my online account is showing that all my service is connected to the new phone number. After about 12 calls - to this day I am still without service, and they continue to ignore what they have done and are doing nothing about it. I have asked to speak with a manager, supervisor, corporate office, but they continue to recycle me to the Customer Care Service or cut me off. This all started around March 21, 2022.

Thank you,

Diane Anthe

Have used Tracfone for years for dependable low-cost service and all that changed last year when they restructured their plans to force you to pay for packages that unneeded features, like for example I use the calling minutes the most and when they run out, I get charged as a package for more data and more text messages when I don't need them. Service is now barely existing, any problem that isn't simple takes hours, even days to resolve. Try explaining to your family, friends and business associates: sorry, my phone stopped working! Mine has been off for two days after Tracfone disabled it and I've spent hours on the phone with support following instructions again and again and again with no result because often they are lying to you- I've done this a number of times before and I've had enough. Switching to more expensive options- Tracfone is a scam operation that hides the real cost of mobile service in support and features you aren't getting, and if you think you don't need them, they will make sure you will eventually. You need a spare phone to safely use a tracfone, might as well get both somewhere else.

I need help to solve some problem with transferring my service from the old phone to the new one.

I rarely use Tracphone, mainly for reasons, so I have there over 4000 minutes and the service end date is in March 2023. I have the receipt of the my last purchase in 2021.

After getting messages from Tracfone that noticed:

"The wireless network that provided your service was shut down on 02/22/2022, and has been replaced with Voice Over LTE (VoLTE). Unfortunately, your current phone and SIM card are not compatible with VoLTE, the network standard, and will lose service at any time.

Regardless of which scenario you are experiencing, you still have an opportunity to regain reliable service by upgrading to a FREE VoLTE-ready phone and SIM card.

Offer Details:

Phone models may vary. Offer available online only. Offer only applicable for a single use and one phone per customer. All phones available online and in-store are VoLTE-ready. You will keep your phone number, Service End Date, Plan, balance, and benefits once your upgrade is complete.

Your current Tracfone Service Plan will remain available for use on VoLTE-ready phones until 11/23/2024.

By accepting this offer you agree to transfer your service to your new phone. If you do not do so, we reserve the right to provide an automatic transfer. When upgrading to VoLTE, your coverage may be affected. "

Last such message I received in May and I have one from March that is still in my mailbox.

I got the new phone from the Tracphone, but I was not able to transfer my airtime and minutes to the new phone.

611611 ONESTEP didnt work.

When I called to the service for help, the representative told me that my phone is not active that means that there is nothing to transfer because its SIM is not active anymore, and phone is not supported (even I had payed for service till March 2023 and have over 4000 minutes, and it still shown on the old phone screen, and I have the receipt too), " nothing there on my account" or "no account for this number"), and the only one thing that I may transfer to the new phone is the old number. To do so I need to buy a new plan ( new minutes and an airtime).

That doesn't look fair.

It was not my choice that Tracphone stopped to support old phones and old SIM-cards.

Also, I got the message that my service plan is safe, and will be available for transfer: "Your current Tracfone Service Plan will remain available for use on VoLTE-ready phones until 11/23/2024."

What Tracphone did is completely contradicts what it says.

Why I can't get my number, airtime and minutes on the new phone? What that need to be changed is IMEI and SIM card number in my phoone number account.

Is there a possibility to make my account active and to transfer my number, already payed airtime and minutes to the new phone?

I appreciate your help.

By the way, the chat option on the Tracphone site is not available, and representatives are not helpful. Yet.

I have had tracfone for about 20 years, will never get another one. I put $100 at a time on my phone, which I have two phones. can't access anything I need on site. all they want is take you to add minutes. don't need minutes. need to see how much money and time is left on my phones. can't find that info. it use to be so easy. I am done with tracfone. when my minutes run out they go in the garbage.

Returned my damaged tracphone to tracphone per their request-on the 12th of may - I have not been able to get my phone back - after at least 15 calls to the 800#- I have been transferred and then disconnected numerous times - I need my phone back. Help name of phone — lg rebel 4 serial #

[protected] promised a replacement not done only talk.

Hi I recently received my order # [protected] from Tracfone for my iPhone SE 2nd generation, Unfortunately I did not read the installation procedures before removing the existing Tracfone SIM card.

When I installed Tracfone/Verizon SIM card the phone was not activated, I spoke with your tech department to activate my phone.

This was not a complete success as I’m now getting messages on the iPhone saying the devise needs activating, which can’t be true as I am making phone calls from it.

Since installing SIM card I can receive text messages but cannot send messages.

PS I can send text and receive texts messages between iPhones but not Android phones.

My IMEI number is [protected] Verizon SIM card [protected]

TracFone is the only cell phone company I have ever been with, around 15 years. I have 3 phones. On the 20th of may I called TracFone to deactivate one of my phones and have the data 2.93 GB, 4473 minutes and 4455 text transferred from phone number ending in 1994 to my main phone ending in 9645 which I bought a one year unlimited talk, text, and 12gb data on [protected] Transaction ID [protected] and I already had 7.22 gb data, 5863 minutes, 3561 text on that phone so then my account app showed the current plan was the unlimited plan and when Expired the other plan which was the data text and minutes would start back. On the 20th of may when I call TracFone to have the phone deactivated and data text and minutes transferred I asked the lady to be sure my 9645 number would not change and she said it would not. But when she made the transfer it changed my 9645 number to a number ending in 0608, and she could not change it back, so I had to talk to someone else and He did get my number back , but when he did I lost all text, minutes and data. I have been on the phone with TracFone several times and hours and no one can help me.

I shopped at a Family Dollar store in Brentwood and purchased a tracfone. I tried to return the tracfone however Family Dollar refuses to accept the return because they say it has been over 30 days, however it is not stated on the receipt or anywhere in the store any time limits. The tracfone is in its original packaging and I have the receipt. I would like to return the tracfone and be reimbursed.

I'm complaining about their return policy at Family Dollar Store in Brentwood, New York. I purchased a tracfone in February 2022 and in May 2022 I intended to return the tracfone in its original package and the package was never opened.

They state their return policy is 30 days however no where is a return policy stated anywhere in their store or on the sales receipt.

WE tried to open an account with TRACFONE for 2 phones. We submitted our order for two phones. Upon receipt we tried to work with TRACFONE representatives for over 5 days to get both phones activated. After multiple calls with multiple representatives, dropped phone calls. they were they were unable to activate the phones. We finally cancelled the account. We then tried to activate an account with another carrier. When we tried to activate our phones we found that TRACFONE refused to unlock them saying that their requirement was the phones had to be activated for 60 days in order to release them to the new company. After explaining what we had been through and that they were the ones who couldn't activate the phones, they said we could pay $300/phone to get the phones released - tis even though our program was to charge $25/per phone and have the first 6 months free. We offered to pay the monthly cost [$50] for 2 months even though it was their fault for not getting the phones activated. They just said what their policy was. We asked to speak with a supervisor on two occasions and both times

the phone just kept ringing with no pickup. We believe that there is something very wrong here and that we are trying to work a reasonable resolution, with no bending on their side.

I had a Tracfone that went defective under the 1 yr. warranty. I played with customer service til I could scream. Two months later, After hours of calls & recalls because they hung up & disconnected while transferring call to supervisors, two service ticket numbers as they messed up & closed out the first, Call backs that Never Happened, hours of online chats that did nothing, Unexplained 3 to 5 day holds for authorizations that never went through, Supervisors that had to connect me with other supervisors at corporate but they couldn't handle the problem, Only to start the same phone call the next day all over again & start working up the same endless chain of command only to get the same result, --- No Replacement phone ! I can acct. on at minimum 22 hours in phone & chat conversations with Tracfone customer service & it's supervisor staff to no end. Now the phone number with both time & minutes remaining have both been discontinued with Tracfone. The phone is gone. The money for service & item are both gone. No refunds. No answers from Tracfone. They see nothing in their computers that even shows there was such an acct. or phone number ever existed. No apologies ! No caring What-So-Ever ! That is the "Customer Service" experience with TRACFONE.

When i added my credit card to the account for monthly billing I only gave them access to bill monthly charges. When i processed the first payment they processed not only my monthly charge they charged my card 4 extra charges and they stated enrollment and i never enrolled in any thing and i had 4 charges for enrollment. I waited 1 hour to talk to someone and they told me they did not know what the charges were and to file a dispute with my credit card company. My credit card company got my money back and sent me a new card and when i used my new card to pay my monthly bill they rebilled my on the 4 charges my credit card just disputed. So i had to dispute the charges again and close my card again.

Finally just went to Verizon and wanted to move my account. But wow they had a hold on my cell phone and would not let me change vendors. and wanted to charge me to release the device from Tracfone. It took me 2 days of calling and i finally got a hold of a person from corporate and they released it in less the five minutes.

I do not like the way they do business and they should investigate the company for billing practices.