Consumer Cellular is a bad choice

[bc64473800]

Why do you continue to promote Consumer Cellular?  They did not treat me fairly after I joined them on your recommendation.

I moved my cellular service from AT&T thinking I would get a better price with better service.  I also needed a new phone.  After buying a new Consumer Cellular Apple Iphone and having their service for nearly 4 weeks, I decided to discontinue my relationship with Consumer Cellular because I had continued problems with its service.  When I went to move my service back to AT&T and to activate the new apple phone I got through Consumer Cellular with AT&T, I learned that my new phone was locked and needed Consumer Cellular to unlock it.  Consumer Cellular informed me that in the contract that was displayed on their web page, it says that if I buy a new Apple Phone through them, I can’t have it unlock for six month after I purchased it.  This means that, even though I can cancel my service at anytime, I can’t unlock my new phone for six months, locking me into a relationship with Consumer Cellular for six months.

I hold you somewhat responsible for me being in this situation because you recommended them to me.  Shame on you.

[claywatson]

With every new or replacement phone now coming direct from CC via UPS 2nd day air, why would anyone go to Target any more?
Many years ago, when upgrading to a new phone, it was delivered with a SIM card for T-Mobile network which has poor reception in my area. Consumer Cellular apologized when I complained that we had always had ATT network, and apparently henceforth I need to explicitly tell them ATT when I order a new phone. (We have had many phones from them for over ten or 15 years, for all our family members and have been 100% pleased with their *American English* customer service and their pricing.) CC said their coverage map showed we should do equally well with ATT or T-Mobile, but all I had to do was go to a nearby Target store to have the replacement ATT SIM card swapped.
Since then, phones use an eSIM (embedded SIM) which is a digital SIM card built into your device, eliminating the need for a physical plastic card; it stores your carrier info digitally, allowing for easy online plan activation, carrier switching, and the convenience of using multiple numbers on one compatible phone, offering benefits like enhanced security and space-saving for manufacturers. I have no idea why you would go to WalMart for a SIM card; only Sears and Target sell and service CC's phones. Well unless you were wanting an "unlocked" phone so you could jump around between cell phone service providers.

[jt53034901]

We had been with Consumer Cellular for 10 years and were happy with them for the most part.  Until we needed home internet service and Consumer Cellular does not offer it. We had no choice but to switch to AT&T who offers under their 55+ plan, two lines unlimited and cellular home internet for $99.00 per month.

As soon as our two phone lines were ported from Consumer Celluar to AT&T, the AARP 55+ discount was reversed and the socked us with a bill much higher than the last 24 bills. When I called about this, they said that since we left Consumer Cellular, (4 days before the end of the billing cycle) we no longer receive the AARP discount.  I have since filed complaints with the Michigan State Attorney General, BBB.org, FTC, and have been posting everywhere I can.  

I urge you all to do a simple google search on Consumer Cellular complaints and see for yourself.  This is FAR from a reputable company, and AARP should sever ALL ties with them.

[DanK356458]

I have been with consumer cellular for about 2 to 3 years.
Bought a new phone for the wife $180 Motorola power.
Phone comes up for sale for $150 3 weeks later,asked if they would credit my account for the 30 dollar difference,
They said I can send the new phone back and they will sel l me the $150 phone.WTF ,what kind of service is that?
Do not use Consumer cellular they have lousy customer service

[SantoshL211308]

Lower monthly cost if you use plans frugally. However, horrendous customer service if you want to cancel your service. I was a customer for 11 years and when I cancelled my service on October 2025 - all lines were ported out, but they billed me until December. I called and asked and they said just because line were ported out didn't mean service was cancelled. Basically they charged me 2 extra months for no service at all. Very disappointed!! Be careful they will get more money one way or other.

[mponcy]

Same thing happened to me.

[YuryB977828]

I am not receiving any group messages. I am missing a lot of individual messages. Their technical service is useless. Rep in the store suggested to go to another provider as CC servers are prone to problems. after multiple attempts they couldn't resolve my issues and I am switching to t-mobile.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@YuryB977828 I'm sorry to hear of your experience with Consumer Cellular. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team, they're part of AARP Services, and act as liaison for AARP service providers. - Christy C. 

[JeanG793569]

 Every states has different taxes and fees.  The fed has charges above that.  Get over it.  I still saved 50% over my AT&T bill.  I still have the same coverage.

[SteveL564079]

Consumer Cellular is a bunch of scam artists.

Four business days before the bill closing date I notified them of my intent to leave. They gave me two transfer pins, which I immediately passed on to the new carrier.

Consumer Cellular then sat on the transfer untill the billing cycle closed.. and then released the two lines to the new carrier.

Consumer Cellular's unlimited data plan isn't unlimited.

I'm paying less with the new carrier than I was paying consumer Cellular for more service. I've got home internet, unlimited mobile data, and two lines for less money.. and I bumped up to 5g besides.

I'm never going back to consumer Cellular.

[jt53034901]

This is EXACTLY the same experience I had.  I ported to AT&T for the $99.00 for 2 lines and home internet 55+ plan. 

Instead of @AARPConsumerCare directing people to a page, perhaps they should act on these complaints directly.  There are certainly enough of them right here on the AARP site. A simple google search will reveal how bad Consumer Cellular really is.  AARP needs to sever all ties with them now.

[lindafalcao]

YES, this happened to me, but even worse. I called CC August 18 and told them to transfer my service to Xfinity because I was planning a trip out of the country.  In 2022 I went out of the country, I paid CC for an "international calling plan", which didn't work at all - I had no phone service and no internet in London. They acknowledged at the time (AND ALSO 3 years later when I called to cancel - they said 'yes, many people have had problems with the international calling plan" - so they had 3 years to fix it and didn't, continuing to sell this product to folks that didn't work).  In August I wanted to save myself from this experience again in my September, 2025 London trip, so on August 18, 2025 I instructed CC to transfer my line to Xfinity. Multiple phone calls with CC customer service - nobody seemed to know anything. I finally got my transfer pin and was told "You don't have to do anything else" to have the line transferred. I'm happy, because Xfinity has an international calling plan, $10 a day phone and internet, I can use my phone in London exactly like I was back in the States. I go to London, expecting to use my phone. NO SERVICE, NO PHONE, NO INTERNET. Lo and behold, I discover CONSUMER CELLULAR NEVER RELEASED THE LINE, so I was unable to access my Xfinity service. I couldn't even use internet. I had to spend another $50 to buy an eSim card over there, which didn't include phone and was spotty at best. Completely ruined a $12,000 trip that I had planned for months. I would use the wifi in the apartment there to plan a route, then laboriously take screen shots of each step of the journey, then try to follow that "map" out on the street. Ridiculous. There were things I didn't do because it was just too exhausting. Then I get CC's notice they are billing me for another cycle, due date of September 23. I call them to complain they screwed up in not releasing my line like I instructed them to, which ruined my vacation; they refuse to do anything. They told me it was MY FAULT I didn't delete the eSim, which 1) they never told me to do and 2) assured me to the contrary when I spoke with them August 18 to transfer the line that there was nothing further I needed to do to effectuate the transfer.  My phone was unusable because of their action: they were controlling the line. So they both want to disclaim any responsibility for the time period they were doing that but also charge me for service for that time period. Sweet deal for them! So disgusted AARP pushes seniors into signing up with them, which I did originally 12 years ago because AARP recommended them, and I trusted AARP.  What other crap products is AARP pushing?  I'm angry and disillusioned.  IF YOU'RE A SENIOR WHO LIKES TO TRAVEL, AVOID CONSUMER CELLULAR. 

[CarolynC773978]

Consumer Cellular is either the WORST most poorly run cellphone service or just deliberate deadbeat threatening lying illiterate  thieves & Cons…

Cancelled my account back in April 2025 with tje help & witness of the Manager of my Xfinity Store..took 2 wks for some woman in UTAH to push a button to finalize!!! Paid the April

bill & May.. also just to

make sure all was finished. Have their statement saying Account Closed!! But they have kept billing me for service I don’t have & now threatening me with “collection..” Prepared to charge them with Criminal threat & Attempted Robbery/,Extortion & make it as public as possible.. to warn Folks about this.,Google Consumer Cellular & discover they have a HUGE number of highly questionable BILLING complaints as well as other problems!!! WARNING!! 👹👹👹👹👹

[CarolBurg414]

 I cancelled August 1st and was also billed through August 25th. According to their rep this is their NEW POLICY:

"Starting April 2nd, 2025, monthly charges will not be prorated when an account or line is cancelled. The customer will be charged the full amount for the billing cycle.  At the time of cancellation, the customer will have the option to disconnect service immediately or keep service active until the end of their billing cycle. In either case, the customer is billed through the end of the billing cycle in which their request to cancel was received."

@AARPConsumerCareshould reconsider their recommendations.

They did not give me the option to cancel AND they did not provide service through August 25th. I bought a new phone so I should have been able to use the original phone but could not.

[CarolBurg414]

 The reason I bought a new phone was because my existing phone didn't work with Consumer Cellular despite their advertising claims. It took about a YEAR for customer service to finally admit that was probably why I could only send/receive texts, with graphics, FROM HOME. I switched to Cricket and my monthly bill went from $45 to $30.

 Between the sketchy ads on the games pages and Consumer Cellular's disinformation, I'm thinking an AARP recommendation isn't what it should be.

[AARPConsumerCare]

Thank you for reaching out, @CarolBurg414. We're sorry to hear about your experience with the cancelation of your Consumer Cellular plan. We would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team for further assistance. - Diana G.

[CarolBurg414]

 I cancelled August 1st and was also billed through August 25th. According to their rep this is their NEW POLICY:

"Starting April 2nd, 2025, monthly charges will not be prorated when an account or line is cancelled. The customer will be charged the full amount for the billing cycle.  At the time of cancellation, the customer will have the option to disconnect service immediately or keep service active until the end of their billing cycle. In either case, the customer is billed through the end of the billing cycle in which their request to cancel was received."

[GailL1]

Guess sometimes it pays to read those “Important Notices” that company’s send our way - Sorry, but now you know and you have done a public service by posting that here - if people read it.  

[AARPConsumerCare]

We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with one of our benefit providers, @CarolynC773978. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Brandon C.

[GailL1]

@CarolynC773978 

What in the world are they billing you for this long after cancelling?  

Unless there were some roaming charges - especially if they are international - that take a while to show up sometimes.

[flohol]

ZERO STARS!!! Called to cancel service on July 5 and was charged for August. This raised due amount from $67 to $108. RIDICULOUS!!! BEWARE IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL SERVICE!!! 

[andrewko]

International roaming is terrible. First time, they mailed me a new SIM card to use when I went to Korea it didn’t work. Had a friend in US call and they said I had to turn on the phone near a U.S. cell tower. Didnt tell me this before I left. Then a few months ago I went to Italy. Couldn’t access my voice mail. Was on the phone with them and it couldn’t be solved. If you have the overseas travel bug, switch to T Mobile or Verizon.  

[MikeR107445]

I was incorrectly charged on the sales tax. The invoice clearly states the tax is based on the billing address, and the rep incorrectly insists that it is based on the shipping address.

Ok, well, thieves can be found.

When you steal from us, we know how to find your call centers, ya **bleep** thieves.

[jrtaylor109]

They definitely overcharge on fees. They advertise $55 plan that ends up being $70 after taxes and fees. They are ripping off people and preying on the vulnerable. 

[jt53034901]

Even worse is that if you port out to another service, they reverse the AARP discount and charge you a LOT more.

[AARPConsumerCare]

MikeR107445 We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with Consumer Cellular. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Christy C. 

[rcocciar]

Today their new phone was provided saying, 'no sim card'. 1. called service and the agent was frustrated as she explained what we needed to do. 2. She said "go to walmart, by a sim card, install it, save the receipt for a refund from Consumer Cellular, OR WAIT FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO RECEIVE ONE IN THE MAIL, or drive 15 miles to a service center in Largo Florida.'. WE WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE AGENT SAID "There is a sim card installed upside down."  I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIE ON THE CONSUMER CELLULAR WEBSITE THAT THEIR RATING IS FOUR.

[claywatson]

Many years ago, when upgrading to a new phone, it was delivered with a SIM card for T-Mobile network which has poor reception in my area. Consumer Cellular apologized when I complained that we had always had ATT network, and apparently henceforth I need to explicitly tell them ATT when I order a new phone. (We have had many phones from them for over ten or 15 years, for all our family members and have been 100% pleased with their *American English* customer service and their pricing.) CC said their coverage map showed we should do equally well with ATT or T-Mobile, but all I had to do was go to a nearby Target store to have the replacement ATT SIM card swapped.
Since then, phones use an eSIM (embedded SIM) which is a digital SIM card built into your device, eliminating the need for a physical plastic card; it stores your carrier info digitally, allowing for easy online plan activation, carrier switching, and the convenience of using multiple numbers on one compatible phone, offering benefits like enhanced security and space-saving for manufacturers. I have no idea why you would go to WalMart for a SIM card; only Sears and Target sell and service CC's phones. Well unless you were wanting an "unlocked" phone so you could jump around between cell phone service providers.

[Winter2025VA]

@rcocciar , that was awful!!!  😱  Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @rcocciar wrote 4/15/25:

Today their new phone was provided saying, 'no sim card'. 1. called service and the agent was frustrated as she explained what we needed to do. 2. She said "go to walmart, by a sim card, install it, save the receipt for a refund from Consumer Cellular, OR WAIT FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO RECEIVE ONE IN THE MAIL, or drive 15 miles to a service center in Largo Florida.'. WE WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE AGENT SAID "There is a sim card installed upside down."  I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIE ON THE CONSUMER CELLULAR WEBSITE THAT THEIR RATING IS FOUR. ***]

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[claywatson]

Many years ago, when upgrading to a new phone, it was delivered with a SIM card for T-Mobile network which has poor reception in my area. Consumer Cellular apologized when I complained that we had always had ATT network, and apparently henceforth I need to explicitly tell them ATT when I order a new phone. (We have had many phones from them for over ten or 15 years, for all our family members and have been 100% pleased with their American English customer service and their pricing.) CC said their coverage map showed we should do equally well with ATT or T-Mobile, but all I had to do was go to a nearby Target store to have the replacement ATT SIM card swapped.
Since then, phones use an eSIM (embedded SIM) which isa digital SIM card built into your device, eliminating the need for a physical plastic card; it stores your carrier info digitally, allowing for easy online plan activation, carrier switching, and the convenience of using multiple numbers on one compatible phone, offering benefits like enhanced security and space-saving for manufacturers.