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.

[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.

[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.

[SpringIsHereVA]

@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.

[eveAre]

Other

11/5/2022

No message left but reading the other comments I know it's consumer cellular. I only had my account with them about five months. Canceled because their company/or website was hacking my credit cards. I was able to trace it to them. since i left them, the problem stopped. Yeah, they want their last bill they can take me to court would love to let law enforcement know they are stealing credit cards and refused to take responsibility.

Other

2/22/2022

Both I and my wife received texts telling us that our "e invoice" did not go through, and to call this number. I had already received an email from company with my bill to be paid next month. This alerted me to the strong possibility that it was a scam. With so many people complaining, it obviously is. Please investigate and prosecute.

Other

10/17/2021

Call was from consumer cellular reminding me that renewal is up in 10 days - wanted to verify address, email and billing. Caller offered help that I DIDN'T need, but was friendly.

Debt Collector

8/29/2021

I have recently changed my CC number, because someone wuld not stop sending me thing athat I didn't order. The stuff was very expensive and I had tried to make them stop and couldn't. I changed my CC number with Cinsumer Cellular. They called me using the phone number listed above. I hung up on them 3 times. They stated my credit cartd was declined. I had to give them CC number and pay my bill right away. They said the would cut off my phone service. I new my bill was paiid with my new card. That's why I called you to check where the call was coming from. I am a senior citizen, but I am not easley fooled. I worry about other senior citizens who are believing these people.

Other

6/14/2021

The caller claimed to be from Consumer Cellular. He knew certain details about my account that only an employee/customer service agent would know!! He said he would activate a certain account in my I never told him any details about my account!! He already knew!! But he never did resolve anything on my Consumer Cellular account! Clearly this was a scam call. But HOW are scammers getting hold of private customer information? These scammers call you already knowing whats in your Consumer Cellular account! How is that possible?

[TomD857140]

ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT.  Sometimes you have to use a magnifying glass.

[AARPBrittanyS]

Hi, here to help! I am sorry to hear of your experience with Consumer Cellular. It is not uncommon for cell providers to have a waiting period prior to unlocking a device. Unlocking a device typically has eligibility requirements which include a certain amount of time the device has to be active with their company. For example, a T-Mobile device on a pre-paid plan has to be active for at least 365 days. 

If you feel as though your service issues are not being handled appropriately or are experiencing difficulties, you can always contact AARP for help if there's an issue with an AARP provider. Please use this link (https://help.aarp.org/s/) to contact us by phone, chat or text.

•            Description of your issue
•            Mention that you are requesting an escalation

We look forward to hearing from you!

[jonibee]

I would contact my local tv station and ask for consumer problem assistance and see if they can help you to correct this situation...

[KarenC308282]

For the past 6 months I have been receiving threatening emails from Consumer Cellular, the latest received March 8th for a payment due March 11th: "Payment is due in 3 days...a friendly reminder (?) of $51.49 is due in 3 days" and it "offers" me a few ways to pay, all involving providing my credit card info online. I told them from the beginning that I would need to pay using a check, and they have never NOT CASHED my checks!! The fact that I have not yet even received my bill this month (or other months) makes it impossible for me to pay using a check. Creepy. And signed, very personally, Consumer Cellular Customer Service. This is "customer service??" I have excellent credit and pay my bills on time, if not early. It did not used to be this way. Are they in Texas now?? My son is looking into another provider.