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Some eligible Vonage  consumers will  receive refunds

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By Laura A. Bischoff, Staff Writer Updated 7:09 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

COLUMBUS — Vonage, an Internet-based phone service, will give refunds to eligible consumers who filed complaints about Vonage between Jan. 2004 and March 16, 2010, according to a multistate settlement reached Monday, Nov. 16.

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray signed the settlement for the state.

Consumers had complained that it was nearly impossible to cancel their Vonage service. It turns out Vonage paid its customer service representatives incentives for keeping patrons from canceling. The settlement puts strict limitations on this practice and requires recording and verification of these phone calls, according to Cordray’s office.

Also, Vonage will be revising its disclosures regarding offers of “free” services, money back guarantees and trial periods.

Ohioans may file complaints about Vonage online through www.SpeakOutOhio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0515.

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I would like to know how to take part in this refund. I was w/vonage for over a yr with only 1.5mos of usable service, called them numerous x's to have them fix my internet & phone service that kept going off line. Tried to cancel but kept getting the run around. It was my fault not theirs. I fulfilled the service agreement and paid for unusable service. I finally cancelled after my yr agreement only to find that I had to pay extra charges for early termination on a 2yr?! Can someone help?

Former customer
10:44 AM, 12/30/2009

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When we cancelled our account we was told that there would be a charge for breaking the contract. We wanted out of it cause cell phones was much cheeper and we used them more than a house phone at the time. However we was told in order to no be charged the early cancellation charge that what they could do for us was that if we paid I belive it was between 14-20 a month they could keep our voice mail service in tact so that we could avoid the sur charge of early cancellation.

Betsy
10:54 AM, 11/17/2009

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Canceled my Vonage acct. and barring the begging to keep me as a customer, finally succeeded, so I thought. Found $40 charge less than an hour later on my account. Called to customer service who told me I was on a 2 year plan so $40 was early leaving charge.
THE $4O ADDED TO THE 15 MONTHS I WAS ENROLLED MADE THE PRICE OVER $24.99 /MO., so I called my bank, and they removed it, but it showed up again the next day. Called the bank, THEY WERE MAD, and problem solved. The bank took is out.

John
10:13 AM, 11/17/2009

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I called and cancelled my Vonage service simply because we were not using it and we were using our cell phones more than anything. I was on the phone with them for about 40 minutes and yes their customer service representatives do everything in their power to keep you as a customer. I was not offered any money back guarantee, in fact I was charged about $45 because I cancelled my service before the two years was up. Lesson learned. I will never be a part of them again.

No 2 vonage
9:38 AM, 11/17/2009

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