NetZero - didn't receive one month free, per Internet offer - trouble with account cancellation

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 25, 2003:

From: Debbie Fleenor [Email User]

RE: NetZero - didn't receive one month free, per Internet offer - trouble with account cancellation

This past week I signed up ONLINE for and internet service thru NetZero. They advertised the first month was free and after that it would be $9.95 per month.

The access number which the gave was NOT long distance for me. However, I was never able to connect with this access number. I called an 800 number to NetZero to cancel my subscription to their "service" and was on hold FOREVER....finally after many attempts I got to talk to someone.I was told by the rep that I had to sign up thru an "agent" not online to get the 1 month free service.

That is NOT what their online ad said!! To my surprise they had already charged my credit card for $9.95 PLUS they charged me $1.95 for talking to me!!! I have a cancelation number but they still have me as an account holder when I get online.

I called my credit card company and they say there is nothing I can do to stop them from continuing to charge me for their service even though I have canceled with them. I was told that I would just have to continue to call NetZero and give them my cancelation number and hope that they would stop charging me each month, etc. This is ridiculous! I do not know what to do about this.I was told by the credit card company that even if I closed my account it would "follow me"...this is crazy!!

If you can help me in anyway, I would sure appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

Debbie