Turbotxt Inc. turbotxt.com Hidden/sneaky opt in on an Android phone app, resulting in $9.99/mo charge for the last 19 months. Bear, Delaware

13th of Feb, 2013 by User540699

I'm embarrassed to admit that it took me 19 months to notice that there was an odd $9.99 monthly charge on my wife's Sprint cell phone bill. I called Sprint, who gave me the name and number of the vendor. I called the vendor, and once I convinced the agent that I wasn't interested in learning more about the benefits of their "service", the agent explained that since they have a "double opt-in" system to assure that only those who want the subscription actually get it, there was nothing she could do except cancel the subscription. As I explained that while "double opt-in" is standard for websites, it meaningless in the context of text messaging, she softened her stance, and offered to refund the most recent three months' charge, "...because everything older than that is now in the archives...". I should mention that I disclosed at the beginning of the call that I was recording it. Utah doesn't require that, but I think Delaware does. I reminded her that the call was being recorded, and that I understood that she by offering to cancel the subscription and refund the most recent three months' charges, she was acknowledging that no binding commitment was made (in June 2011). She confirmed that that was the case, but that she couldn't refund more because of the archive thing... I asked for a mailing address to which legal notices should be mailed, and she gave me: 1148 Pulaski Highway, Suite 405, Bear, Delaware 19701 She sounded much more contrite at this point, and offered to have "someone from the corporate offices" call me regarding refunding the earlier charges, and promised a call within "48 business hours". I confirmed that I would wait until COB Monday, Feb 18th, to file a formal complaint with State of Delaware
Delaware Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Division
Carvel State Office Bldg.
820 N. French St.
Wilmington, DE 19801 We'll see how it goes...

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