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.

[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.

[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.

[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. 

[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.

[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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[EthelS413928]

I whole heartedly agree with you.  They are a joke and their advertisement is fraudulent.  I to had a recently bad deal with them as fast as I moved over to them I moved back to my old carrier.  They are liars and cheats.  

[m106764b]

Thank You for the objective review. I have heard other service complaints regarding consumer cellular. I don’t understand the logic of being able to cancel your account anytime but unable to unlock your phone for 6 months. Contradiction in terms. Guess I’ll stick with AT&T. 

[EthelS413928]

Know this they have been trained to lie and become as crooked as the business is.  They claim they record, ? Record and keep what they desire to be heard.  I say do not trust these characters.  If AARP and AT & T continues to endorse them without looking at all the facts, reviews and issues customers are encountering I would say we need to question their choices as well.  Again DO NOT.  

[BradS601356]

I regret even thinking about going with Consumer Cellular. I went into Target to establish service and found that Target knows nothing about Consumer Cellular. The first employee essentially ran away when I mentioned what I wanted. Another guy came over and knew nothing about it, but tried to help by pulling out documentation from the electronics department desk. It wasn't enough to help him, but he found a phone number to call for assistance. After over one hour trying to make it work, they concluded my phone was not compatible and would not work. They wanted me to buy a phone, but I told them I no longer wanted Consumer Cellular and I left the store. 

A couple of months later I started getting collection calls from Consumer Cellular and when I explained the whole situation to them they refused to issue a credit. They even acknowledged case notes indicating "customer has a phone that is not compatible." Now, four months later, the balance has been turned over to collections and my credit score has dropped as a result. Numerous calls to both Target and Consumer Cellular have been of no help. I don't know who to blame more for this debacle, but both of them should be ashamed of not getting this resolved. I talked to Target again today and it appears that I may have found someone that will get this resolved, but I felt that way before and it never happened. I better get a sizable gift card from Target to compensate me for all of I have been through.

Bottom line, don't even think about using Target or Consumer Cellular for mobile service.

[EthelS413928]

DO NOT do it.  They claim you get a month free, they sale you the minimum plan and the you look and are charged for a 5g byte plan, they setup you with the understanding of the lowest plan and as I followed up I was in a $50 plan, they are a bunch of crooks.  I called Consumers affair and these people have numerous complaints against them.  How do companies like AT & T and other reliable companies engage with Consumer Cellulars.  Best name CONSUMER CROOKS. The people are trained like puppets in a string and my encounter in the beginning was like if knowledge in performing their duties.  I should have know then nevertheless you live and you learn.  The grass on one side sounds and looks better but I tell you do not believe what is being shown on TV.  Who knows the people maybe paid to do a short gig.  Please do not do it bad news bear.

[BernardinoC235496]

i agree target is worthless  they said it would be easier if I did it from home even though I was there already and then they said they can’t transfer it because they needed a transfer pin  and by law they said I had to do it even when I said that they did that 3 month ago with no problem he then said the guy was probably new  but then I told him that it was him that did it and he kept lying about the new law etc they just don’t want to help but when a younger lady said they needed to transfer to consumer cellular as I walked away he said to her no problem I’ll take care of you  I then responded I will call your boss he just waved me off

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello @BradS601356 here to help. We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with one of our benefit providers. 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. - Daniela R. 

[GailL1]

Hey @AARPConsumerCare - Daniela R.

I might be wrong but I don’t think one can get An AARP Consumer Cellular plan at Target.

Right?

[BradS601356]

My comment was to add another experience with Consumer Cellular. My signing up with them was not through AARP and I did not imply in my comment that AARP was responsible for this fiasco. I blame Target and Consumer Cellular for this mess. Target is the root cause of the problem, but it is unfathomable that Consumer Cellular refused the write off a $35 balance based on the facts and the clear notes they have in their records. I remain firm in my assertion that Consumer Cellular is not a good brand and I want to make that known to as many mobile users as possible.

[HollyAcres]

Exactly! I trusted Consumer Cellular ONLY because of their endorsement by AARP. What a mistake. 

They are a fraudulent operation that preys on seniors through lies and deceit. 

No matter what you are told by their "customer service" reps, do not believe them, especially if you are purchasing a phone through them. I was told I could exchange a flip phone, which was technically incoherent on so many levels, for a less expensive, easier to use phone for my elderly friend.

I was forced to pick up all shipping charges and then found out they refused the phone because it wasn't "like new". The issue? A microscopic scratch in the charging port. Other than that its appearance and functionality were perfect.

Also, don't be fooled by their AARP endorsement. When I complained to AARP, they dragged their feet contacting Consumer Cellular and then weeks later told me there was nothing they could do.

Buyer (especially seniors) be very, very careful with both these organizations. They are not what they say they are.