Average Rating: [starrater tpl=10 style=’starscape’]
Please rate above and contribute your review in the comments below.
Welcome to our Rating and Reviews page for Safelink Wireless. The star rating above is an overall customer satisfaction average of all those surveyed. Further below you’ll find reviews of the company from real customers. If you have a free government phone from Safelink Wireless we encourage you to rate the company and leave a review.
Please consider your overall satisfaction with Safelink Wireless — customer service, delivery, product quality, cell connection quality — and give them a one through five star rating above.
kay says
Cannot use phone because I am out of service area. Called 4 times to explain I do not live in the area code given phone number. Each time the computer changes the number and gives me another number with that same area code. Throwing the phone in trash not worth anymore aggravation. I need the help or I would not have applied for this phone.
Deanna says
If you see safe link wireless, you better run!!! I applied and got approved right away. Here’s the catch, you have to send in proof that your on Medicaid or snap benifits (EBT card), which I have done repeatedly, to no avail they keep rejecting my proo!! I call back and finally get a person, who hardly understands me and they tell me to send in a copy of my EBT card or Medicaid card. I also do this, still keep getting rejected, saying I need to send in proof that I am on medi acid and food stamps. HELLO IF THE PROOF ISN’T PROOF WHAT IS???? WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME???
Mary says
STAY AWAY !!!! worst Provider ever!!!!!!!! Horrible Customer service ! Always losing applications – They very disorganized ! Hard to understand customers service Representatives who can hardly speak English. So glad there are other wireless companies that are joining the Lifeline market!
Patricia Spencer says
I lost my safe link cellphone,can I have another cellphone
L. Baker says
Okay, my question is how does one return a cell phone to Assurance Wireless. I have 2 complaints. The first one is that the company deleted the minutes that I paid for out of my pocket @ the end of the month & then only gave me 250 minutes. If I had been alllowed to keep the minutes I had placed on the cell– I would’ve had over 500 minutes on the phone. I realize it is a gov’t phone, but serioudly, why do they have the right to take off minutes that I pd. for myself so I could talk to whomever. They also do not allow roll over minutes from month to month, which actually is s rip-off, as far as I am concerned anyway. I also hate that you can’t seem to talk to a real person–only automated….
viola wolaitis says
my sansung phone thru safelink will not ring for in coming calls and I cannot open messages…p;ease advise
Tonya says
I have done all I’m suppose to do to keep my service,but have to keep calling and the robot says no one is in to take my call. Soon I will have to say f it. I will be calling assurance for my f king service. This is not all I have to do is try to call you all every day. This should have already been fixed. I sent my documents. Get to work. I’m not waiting forever. I need a phone.
Jason says
These comments are bogus, just look at the spelling and grammar. Looks like someone from Assurance Corp in Columbia trying to spread negative propaganda about a perfectly legit SafeLink service. Assurance pays people and companies to spread lies about SafeLink in order to cover up for the way they handle business. DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES!!!!!! Assurance only wants to steal your information, with the promise of a “free phone”. Yeah, a broken phone may arrive in the mail at some point, along with bills from credit cards that “you” opened in a foreign country. Assurance is a rip off, SafeLink is legit. Believe what you want to believe, but if you think what I am saying is wrong, then pay my credit card bills. Money talks bullsh!t walks….
Trisha says
Assurance was the only provider with great customer care. And provides a decent phone. Qlink sucks and I’ve had safelink years ago no problems… The best out of 3 is problem assurance
Deanna says
I’m not from assurance, and I cannot get my safe link wireless phone even after being approved. I have sent in copies of proof and they are saying I need to send in proof. Hello, if proof isn’t proof, then what is????
James Wood says
I have had a safelink cell phone for one year now because I am currently unemployed and on the Food Stamp Program (SNAP)Benefits as well as being a sufferer of epileptic seizures which if you dont know is a dangerous neurological disorder so my brothers which I live with but who do not pay my bills need to know if im ok as well as my parents yesterday I recieved a letter from safe link stating that I could keep my service because there is a 2nd lifeline service active and I know for a fact thats a false statement the house was bought less than 2 years ago and I am the only person here to ever have a lifeline phone IF YOU NEED A RELIABLE PHONE DONT USE A LIFELINE PHONE( unless u like being lied to and cheated)
James Wood says
that was supposed to say that the letter from safelink said could not keep my phone because of a nonexistant 2nd lifeline phone at the same adress
Frances Rhoden says
My phone WILL NOT turn on!!!!! Been trying to get through to a REAL PERSON for 3-4 months….Keep calling and it says”if problem not resolved call back in 15 minutes-“when you call back you get SAME message and phone hangs up!!!! Never ask for a alternate number to cal you back if phone NOT WORKING. Ask for email address but won’t even send email to resolve problem not!!! I got phone because it was NEEDED.Been without 3-4 months REALLY??? Done this rating numerous times to no avail.NEED to be able to talk to REAL PEOPLE NOT A MACHINE!!!!
Erin Gualtier says
I have been denied safelink for 2 years cuz my s.S. # that ive have all my life didnt matso lo and behold i recieved nothing from them and i callech them records. So i tried again and they said i needed to send in proff that im on disabilty for which i did. Well its been a month, so i called and lol and be hold they never recieved my information for which i did send but did they even call and say “we still need inform” nope they send i had to start over. Thank you safelink, for nothing!
Tonya Austin says
My govt phonevsay service disabled but I have 232 minutes left. Why is that
ana says
I qualified and received a phone from them. it was defective from the manufacture. Called about it and they said they were sending me a replacement phone. waited over a month and nothing. called back and they said the order had never been placed..redid their whole little thing and again told me my phone was defective from the manufacture and are sending me out another phone..waited and still nothing..so i have a phone that does not work and they are doing nothing to send a replacement…their service sucks.
Bonnie Beck says
I got a replacement phone for one that did not work well, sent the bad phone back, then they cancelled my enrolment saying I had two lifeline phones. Waited two months and still cannot get the application online.——-no phone to call any of those numbers, but it was attempted…
kelly says
I lost my phone so I tried to contact safelink. Their website gave 2 numbers to call. I called the 1st number only to be directed to the second number with no opportunity to actually speak to a real person. I called the second number and again could not get a real person but the recording did tell me politely that I needed to turn my phone on to get pending minutes loaded on the phone and if I needed further assistance to call the 1st number. I tried sending emails via the ‘contact us’ section on their website only to get canned responses that told me to call the numbers listed. I tried for an entire month to contact them by phone and website. I tried switching the different responses like press one for buying minutes, press 2 for technical assistance and so on. I tried them all. I did the same on the website. I never spoke to a person and never got help even after sending an email saying I would cancel my service. Their response to that email was the same as all the others, call the numbers. so I switched and suggest anyone looking for a carrier try Assurance Wireless or Access Wireless. I’ve called both and got real people.
Victoria Laban says
I am a volunteer at a charity agency who helps homeless people with benefits. Every fax ever sent to Safelink was “not received”. The Safelink fax # to send info is a black hole.
D. SEWARD says
My safelink phone had not been working correctly for over a year. I had been trying to get a replacement for a while with no luck. I finally got a replacement phone and only had 20 minutes on it and had over 80 minutes on my old phone. They finally gave me the 80 minutes but did not transfer my free texts. I called them about this and was told that free text minutes did not transfer over to replacement phones and would have to wait until the next month when I received my new minutes to get my free texts.
Well August came and I got my 250 minutes but when I texted, they charged .30 off my phone minutes. I called to report the issue and was told it would be rectified within 48 hours. Well, it wasn’t. I called today and was informed that my phone had beed deactivated and when asked why could not be told the reason.
I had called when I received my replacement phone because it took so long for it to arrive, another phone was ordered and trying to be honest, wanted to let them know not to send the new phone.
Since that time, my phone is still charged for texts and I have to wait again until September to receive my free 1000 texts. I was then informed that I needed a new sims card and would receive it in 7 – 10 business days.
This is ridiculous how we are treated like we don’t matter because we receive a free phone. If the problem it theirs, they will not reimburse you for the time you have lost and will only give you the 250 minutes. They also make you wait to have they mistakes rectified.
PLEASE, IF YOU WANT A FREE PHONE, GO WITH ANYONE ELSE. DO NOT GO WITH SAFELINK. AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NO PROBLEMS, THEY ARE FINE. WHEN YOU DO HAVE A PROBLEM, THEY ARE CONDESCENDING AND NOT WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM PROMPTLY.
AS I SEE ON MOST OF THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE NOT REPLIED TO, I DO NOT EXPECT MINE TO BE ANSWERED AS WELL.
Rachel says
I tried calling the phone number on this E911 notice i rceived last week… no HUMAN choice to talk to. I then called a few more phone numbers trying to find out if this letter was real. Needless to say I never spoke to a human being.. Most of my minutes are gone from trying to get information.
I wanted to ask if I could pay this E911 by the year (21$). Its too much mental anguish to try to remember to pay this bill every month… PAY for the gas going to the post office to PAY for a money order and PAY for a stamp.
FREE may not always be free, but this beats paying 19.99 a month for a phone card PLUS the 911 surcharge
youre charged anyway.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We just today posted an article on the E911 subject:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/should-free-government-cell-phone-users-pay-a-911-tax
dianna mcnamara says
with in this year our next year are you going to be handing out the Obama phones and expanding and upgrading to internet capable smart phones any time soon can you please let ne know
Terri says
I applied for a phone, got a letter the next week that my phone would be shipped in 2 to 3 weeks and got it the next week. I have only had it a few days, but so far it is working good. Thank you for the phone and service.
Margo says
My Safelink Wireless phone is fine. It sends text messages and takes calls pretty well….unless I am inside a building, near a telephone pole, or when it’s partly cloudy outside. I understand it’s a free government phone, but did they have to issue the cheapest of cheap?
The service is terrible. I can have full bars, but it will drop the call 6 times while I’m trying to talk to my husband. I can be in the middle of sending an important text to my mother, and suddenly I will have zero signal; I have to press “send” half a dozen times before the message will actually send. The phone will bounce back and forth between having signal and no signal even when I am standing perfectly still!
The speaker is pretty bad too. When I accept a call, I can barely hear the person on the other end. They often have to end up sending a text message, because I keep having to say “What?” over and over again. And even then, it will take 10-20 minutes for the text to come through because of poor signal.
Miriam M says
I received a notice to re-certify in order to continue my service with Safelink wireless. I double checked to make sure that there wasn’t an expiration date to do so. When I attempted to re-certify online it was impossible. I decide to call customer service and was told that my service was canceled, because I DID NOT USE the phone for over 60 days. I was surprised, because the information was incorrect. I was offered to re-new it over the phone and I gave my consent to do so. After I confirmed all my information I was told that my application couldn’t be processed. I was in shock. Questioned why? More Reasons: Someone else has a lifeline service on this address. Who it is couldn’t be disclosed. This is my address where I’m living with 4 minor foster kids and my own two for 16 years. Another reason: your information couldn’t be verified at this time.I was told to call back in 48 hours. I decide to call back the next day to speak to a manager, because originally the phone was last used on July 4th, 2014 that wasn’t 60 days ago. I was refused to speak to a manager and was told again due to several reason my application couldn’t be a approved BUT NO SOLID REASON was given why.
I personally felt that I was treated unprofessionally and that Safelinkwireless decided based on their own unprofessionalism that I did not need the phone and decided to just SNATCH my free service from me and give it to somebody else who probably does not need it or deserve it. I,m legally qualified based on the assistance I receive from the government as a foster parent.
I would personally NEVER recommend Safelinkwireless to anybody again whether they are in need or not. When you offer free service to the public you DO NOT treat them like a piece of crap.
Sarah Brooks says
I too called them to report that my phone was lost or stolen, only to be told that they couldn’t replace the phone because they had already sent out me another phone. FALSE! Then called back and was told that I would get my free text next month in Aug. FALSE. Called again when mins came only to be told that someone else in my household had a phone. NO ONE lives here except me! Called again and this time I was told that my services after 4 yrs had been cancelled because I had applied for a phone from another company. FALSE! Called a total of four times and was told something different each time. This company is not what it appears. Never had a problem until I called about not getting my free texts and then was told that I had tyo reapply and gave them the info only to be told that the system was down and had to call back Tuesday. When I called them on Tues, was told that I had to wait until Sept 29th to reapply. this is too much! Not a happy camper right now.
M L says
Same miserable experience as numerous other reviewers here, Assuriance and ReachOut. Not sure why they make themselves available, then loop “customers” around, but there has to be something here I have yet to understand… Are they getting subsidies from the Fed or State to offer this and not honoring their end of the bargain?
I sent in application. Did not get a phone in mail 3 weeks later. Called in to inquire. They say: “sorry, our internet proof submission is temporarily down. We didn’t get your proof of income” Resend via text according to instruction on the phone. Call again 2 weeks later after no phone arrives. They say “Sorry, the EBT card photocopy you sent is not what we need. We need a letter from your TANF program to prove low income”. Or you can reapply! Text them immediately TANF letter. Wait for 4 days. Check status online. Pending status. Called them. They now say: “That letter is not what we need. We need letter from Department of Employment Security Office that verifies your income”
I HAVE A FEELING THEY ARE MAKING LOW-INCOME SUBSCRIBERS JUMP THROUGH HOOPS IN ORDER TO DELAY SENDING OUT A FREE PHONE AND KEEP THOSE FREE MINUTES. CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IS NECCESSRY. ANYONE READING THIS A LAWYER PLEASE CONTACT ME.
jimmy says
does safelink have a web site where you can get another ring tone, besides just
a ring,ring,ring??
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not that we know of.
jimmy says
howdy to all, is there a way to keep my safelink cell phone safe from water/rain?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The phones are not waterproof.
olivia says
How do I apply?? I lost my old one.
Free Government Cell Phones says
This entire website answers your question. Take a look around.
Donna says
Safelink charging for 911 now? What the hell? I guess free isn’t free. Even if it’s less than $2 a month, I WILL NOT send a monthly check for a so called “free service”. Even if we don’t call 911 we are still going to be charge for the service. I will no longer use this service as of today. bad move for safelink service. your service will crash and burn because you will loose customers with this 911 charge for a free service.
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Public/AL.html
Free Government Cell Phones says
Well that’s interesting. Thanks for pointing this out. It appears they are only talking about Alabama. It turns out, “effective January 1, 2014, the Alabama Statewide 911 Board (“911 Board”) passed regulations that impose a new E911 tax or charge on your Lifeline phone benefits that you currently receive at no charge. Enhanced 911, or “E911″ is a system that links emergency callers with the appropriate public safety E911 answering center.”
I found info online that Safelink has been fighting the state board over this.
robert Burton says
I Qualify for this service. What is my next step?
Disability due to bipolar condition
Thanks,
Robert Burton
Free Government Cell Phones says
You go the States page and click on your state.
CTH says
Signed up with safelink 4 years ago. Some minor issues when I purchased a new phone but worked it out.
All done online. No sending of info or runaround.
I am happy for the service.
I’m not going to complain about a free service!
Catherine says
Dear CTH,
There’s being “thankful” and then there’s being condescended to . It has been my unfortunate experience to be homeless after living in and paying for my home for 24 years. That said, I am most certainly grateful for any help I have been given. However, if we were “paying” customers trying to get social services,including free phones, it would be a new world. There’s no incentive for the many social service employees to try to fix mistakes made by us or them, and we are the ones left without, not them. I have had the good fortune, at times, to receive help from generous and caring civil servants…they are few and far between.
You can’t tell me that if we were dealing as “regular” consumers, we’d be treated so poorly, and any of our concerns and problems would be quickly attended to, as the company’s goal is “customer satisfaction”. I haven’t a clue what the goal is for these free Lifeline Assistance companies, but what ever it is, it ain’t workin’!
NM Evans says
I initially qualified for the program; my family receives both foodstamps and Medicaid. However, it took several weeks for Safelink to verify the documents requested. When I finally received the phone, which I had intended for my daughter to use because of her involvement in her high school marching band and the subsequent travel involved, the instructions that came with the phone were rather cryptic to say the least. The company website offered little assistance. And when my daughter accidently broke the screen on the phone thus rendering the phone inoperable, trying to get to customer service to report the problem was in itself the problem. Because we did not make the required phone call to keep the phone activated, Safelink shut the phone off, so my daughter is again without a phone to use to contact me in the event of an emergency. I would not recommend this lifeline service or company.
Brenda Jackson says
I have no income
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re very sorry to hear that.
Lloyd Allan Dale says
I qualified for a free phone, was sent a delivery date and never received the phone. When I asked for a replacement phone, they finally sent it but only gave me twenty hours airtime telling me because I lost the phone that was never delivered, I’d have to wait another three weeks to receive my 250 minutes. I called them on another phone and explained I never lost the phone they never sent and please give me the advertised minutes, which they finally did. At first I could only call out but not receive calls. Now I can. But, I can’t set up voicemail at all. And, when someone does call me, the voicemail rings but only asks me to send a message to my phone, which makes no sense whatsoever. I am on disability with a very limited ability to purchase anything. SafeLink Wireless is the most useless company I’ve ever dealt with and anyone who works for them or owns the company should be fired.
Conna Wieks says
Safelink sucks! They have incompetent so called sales reps working for them that can never help me and hardly speak english. I never received air time for the month of July 2014. The dizzy broad changed my phone number which I didn’t call for that but not minutes. Government shit given to people over seas. Well as they say anything free is too good to be true. Cancelled. By the way Assurance sucks too!
Phoenix Benson says
Safe link now has a phone with camera, key board, internet etc. If one got the earlier version, they will not replace it with the newer one. I lost my Safelink twice, (doesn’t come with carring case easy to lose), they replaced it with the same old version. When I called them they lied saying my old version is all they had. Money like knowledge is power. After all U have to be rich to buy the presidency. With arthritic hands its a pain in the buttock to continuously press the numeric key pad up to 3 or 4 times repeatedly to get the letter needed for texting. I’m a severely disabled “young” senior. I know what discrimation is. Safelink REFUSED TO GIVE OUT THEIR LATEST MODEL (UNLESS u WERE @ THE RGHT PLACE @ THE RIGHT TIME).They are competing with Assuance phone I think, by giving free text – no complaint there- just hard as hell to push all those damn buttons. Sorry if offended by swearing, but this pisses me OFF!
BRAVO TO FAMILY MEMBERS WHO PUT THEIR POOR MEMBERS ON A FAMILY PLAN. THAT’S AN ACT OF LOVE AND GENEROUSITY! GODDESS BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW If I could work now I’d be thrilled. Have a STRONG WORK ETHIC. MY body has had heart surgery, breast cancer,2 spinal operations the 2 ND of which it’ll be a year before if recover. I’m one of those unually people who will volunteer to feel like a have a pupose in life. Any one want to switch places with me? Then stop your complaining about how hard your job is. Be greatfull for what you can afford.OR, I hope to see U in my used orthopedic shoes and your handicap hit you in the wallet. Its like wishing someone a speedy, peaceful death. Thanks for reading. Needed to get this off my taxdermus breasts, I mean chest.
sstone says
I lost my phone and they said they would send me the same phone so I said great when I received the phone it was a downgraded phone. It is cheap flimsy and so small I can hardly read the screen to see what I am doing and the keys are so small they are too small for my fingers, it also has that stupid TG9 (texting) or whatever it is I do not know how to use that and do not need that but the phone is really poor quality and she said it was the same phone but it was not. I just wish they had sent me the same phone it isn’t bad enough I lost all my family and friends not to mention doctors numbers that were in the old phone but now they give me this downgraded phone. I bought the $9.98 phone when I received my check but that had internet browser and kept using all my minutes and I do not use browser so do not need that feature this phone is for emergencies and I need a good phone the same one I had but they lied the same as when I lost my first one. I think they should let us reactivate the old phone if we find it but they will not allow that, I am wanting to get the same phone so this one does not break it is so flimsy and they do not have a carrying case for it so it may get broken even just taking the battery in or out it seems so small and flimsy I thought I would accidentally break it. I have difficulty with taking the backs off of the phones anyway my hands do not work right. I wish they had sent me the same phone she said they were but they did not. They also are supposed to give the 250 minutes now and 1000 free text they are charging for the text which is using my emergency minutes. Also the battery and talk time for this phone is less than the old phone that is a downgrade. That is why I hate Tracfone(Safelink Wireless) they lie and they never send the phone they say they are sending and when I lost my first phone I was supposed to keep the same number for doctors and they gave my number away while my replacement was being sent in the mail. I think the government should ask for more transparency and ask that if the old phone is found that the person can reactivate or at least that they send the same phone since the one they sent was a downgrade if an upgraded phone at Walmart cost $9.98 then they should have been able to give me the same phone.
sstone says
I offered to pay for the new one
Eleanor Marek says
I started my application in December of 2013 when I would check my status it would always so – not in our system finally got to talk to someone who said my appl. was cancelled I had uploaded my records a total of 3 times finally talked to a “Harry Smith” in India and said my appl. had my first name missspelled therefore cancelled when we were on the phone we re-entered an new application with his help and said in 3-5 days it would be approved I check and found that the new application had been rejected why? no answer They are a fraud and should be taken off the list from the goverment free cell phone system.
RBK says
Another stressful day dealing with Safelink. I had my first phone in TX for a few months. Moved to Maryland and they cut off my service before I could even find an apt. (within 2 days) Stranded in Maryland with no phone to contact realtors, call friends to say “I’m safe!” or even contact Safelink. Gets better! Using any generous stranger’s phone to contact them… I had to reapply and wait…Keep in mind it takes 7 – 10 days to receive each phone and they will not transfer my service to my existing phone. 1st phone, doesn’t work…, second phone, doesn’t work… Third phone comes with no minutes… Several weeks later and thank God for kind strangers (I know NO ONE here) allowing me to use their phone I am finally set up with service only to save my minutes at the end of every month because they fail to send my minutes. It has been a nightmare. I used all my remaining minutes this month to contact them and I still don’t have minutes and my phone is dead. I am beyond aggravated, angry and frustrated. Assurance has been not better! Someone please help us resolve this issues with these companies. This is a nightmare!
Dave says
I feel slightly guilty for complaining about a free” phone BUT… my minutes seems to evaporate.
Got my third and last 500 minute upload today and today, with NO calls . I have already “lost” 9 minutes.
When I go to 200 minutes in August, heaven help me because last month, with only a few calls and NO texts, my 500 minutes went down to less than 300 by June 30!
Not sure who used most of those “missing” minutes – it sure wasn’t me.
The “free” phone service carriers seem to be a loosely supervised racket (judging by most of the comments) and I am certain they are taking advantage (in a variety of ways) of those who do not expect or deserve or can handle being taken for a ride.
Shame on these bad, callous, uncaring companies and too many of their employees.
Marilyn M. says
I have had terrible service with this telephone. I got it to have when I am in my car in town – or traveling to care for my 95 year old father. I have an Internet phone service, so I thought this would be good to have on hand if it went down. Not so!! I cannot use the telephone indoors at all. I have to go outside, and then the reception is poor — and the last call I made, they couldn’t hear me at all even though I could hear them. As for texting, I have never been able to send a decent text.. the spelling is always cockeyed. Maybe because the keys are so tiny. I am elderly, with arthritic fingers. I don’t see how a man or anyone with larger hands could possible use this phone.
The company keeps calling and texting me to use my phone more often.. and now to “recertify”, when I don’t think it expires until next January.
Denise says
I’ve just signed up, and after reading some reviews, not one positive by the way, I am a little discouraged. I have no choice but to go for a free-plan. Which I guess we can say, it’s free, what do you expect, but the one thing so far, that I’ve experienced, is the “live chat”. OMG, I can’t believe they train their reps to literally hang up on you after they send you a message that “they think” will answer your question. They don’t wait to see if it did indeed answer it.
I don’t look forward to the service, but I do hope the phone gets me by until I can again, get pay-as-you-go, or contract phone. My phone was lost/stolen, and I couldn’t afford it anyway (my sister was paying for it for me, and I felt horrible letting her do that:( ) so then I hear about a “free gov phone” LOL! Ok, well, you gotta do what you gotta do!
Judy says
I can’t even get past the application process. It’s already a frustrating fiasco so, gonna try Assurance. I use Virgin Mobile & have pretty good luck with them so, hopefully Assurance will be more competent.
billy wyant says
how munch longer isit going to take to know if i am going to get my free phone sent to me
Betsy Mentzer says
p.s. I would have rated them ZERO at the top but it didn’t have that option. So I gave them a one. But should be ZERO.
Betsy Mentzer says
I WAS a customer for number of years. But when I started having trouble with my phone and requested an new one is when the problems began. I received the new phone it came with an already activated SIM card with a different phone number. When trying to get my old number changed to the new phone is when everything went down hill. After numerous calls and and being hung up on by a recording I finally got through to an actual human. And NOT one from India. I think this one was in Cuba. And difficult to understand. I got transferred from Customer Service(?) to Technical Support(?). I was given many humongus numeric sequences. From 2 different people. They hung up and I waited the prescribed length of time. Turned the phone back on. Low & behold the minutes showed up and the correct number showed as being assigned to the new phone. YAY! NOT!!! When you called the number the old phone rang. When you called with the new phone with the old number the call went through. Again BUT!!! The NEW number came up. Called & called & called Customer Service (?) and Tech Support (?)until I finally got a REAL human again. MORE numbers punched in she said it had a defective SIM card and they would send me another one. MORE waiting WITHOUT a working phone. Got the new SIM card. Tried to call back. Got their automated system (again). Could NOT get past giving them the phone serial number before the system HUNG UP on me. Never did get to the SIM number..
AND YES I DID CANCEL!!! Giving up nearly 2,000 unused minutes. After all the minutes are USELESS if you don’t have a working phoine.
Emily says
It is the serial number of your phone. You can get the number by pressing the menu button and scrolling down until it says serial number.Customer service number is 1-800-378-1684. I would have gotten to you sooner,but I just received my phone today and this is the first time I have seen your comment. I am already not too impressed with my phone. I activated it and only received 20 minutes. I thought we were suppose to get 250 minutes. Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
MARISA says
I want to give a overall 5 star rating for my phone. I have had my phone for about 6 years. Never a problem, never a lost call. I have never had to deal with customer service once. I have had several situations where I get calls on my home phone stating I need to use some minutes to keep the phone active. I don;t understand that being I use the phone all the time. So I ignore that. I also get calls several times a year stating it is now time to re establish my account to make sure I still qualify. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONLY ONCE A YEAR. THEY HAVE ME DO IT AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR.
PROS – ALWAYS GOOD CONNECTIVITY,, ROLLOVER IS THE BEST, BECAUSE I BUILD UP MY MINUTES
CONS – PHONES COULD BE BETTER QUALITY, THERE VOICE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE MORE ACCURATE AND NOT CALL PEOPLE TO TELL THEM TO USE THERE MINUTES WHEN THERE PHONE SYSTEM IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG.
SUGGESTION – GIVE MORE OPTIONS LIKE ASSURANCE PHONE SERVICE. ASSURANCE OFFERS UNLIMITED PHONE AND TEXT FOR 30.00 PER MONTH. YOU GUYS NEED TO OFFER MORE MINUTES. AND JUST BECAUSE YOU NOW, ALLOW PEOPLE TO ADD TRACFONE PREPAID ON THE PHONE, i REALLY DONT THINK IT IS A GOOD DEAL AT ALL. 9.99 for 100 mins, 19.99 for 200, or 29 for 300 is nto a good deal especially for people on disability on a fixed income. I can go get 300 minutes and unlimited texting on kajeet for 25.00 a month. or unlimited talk and text from another company for 35 a month along with a free phone, taxes included.
Lynnicia says
I used to be able to check my minutes to see if I got them for that month with the codes 555 in the airtime spot and the answer no for promo code. Now I get unavailable and to try again later. I try later and nothing. Now this time it says it needs a 15 digit code? What is the code? If anyone can help me with this code I would be gratefully eternal. I have fryer a few with no success and if you have a working number for customer service or a management number to get a human being I would also be grateful. Please don’t leave me waiting for an answer forever. Hope to hear from someone really soon.
Thanks, LYNNICIA
Linda says
I called SafeLink to inform them that I had misplaced my government funded cellphone. The agent I spoke with said a replacement cellphone would be sent to me within 7-10 days, then the agent checked to see if my minutes had been used and since the minutes were there the agent said that He was taking care of what ever had to be done so that my remaining minutes would be transferred to my new phone. Once I received the cellphone I called SafeLink to get my old minutes, however I was told that my old minutes could not be replaced and I should read their policy on replacement phones. I feel this is very unfair because the agent that I spoke with the day I reported my cellphone missing verified the minutes were there and the agent told me that I would not lose them. Why should Safelink take my minutes? This is wrong!!!!!!
Linda says
I called SafeLink to inform them that I had misplaced my telephone. The agent I spoke with said a replacement telephone would be sent to me within 7-10 days, then the agent checked to see if my minutes had been used and since the minutes were there the agent said that He was taking care of what ever had to be done so that my remaining minutes would be transferred to my new phone. Once I received the telephone I called SafeLink to get my old minutes, however I was told that my old minutes could not be replaced and I should read their policy on replacement phones. I feel this is very unfair because the agent that I spoke with the day I reported my telephone missing verified the minutes were there and the agent told me that I would not lose them. Why should Safelink take my minutes? This is wrong!!!!!! I want my 172 minutes that were not used!!!!!
sean says
A smart phone and internet is desperately needed with this program. Texting on a old 9 key cell design is terrible. They also should consider allowing people to put chips in other devices. This could save them money on giving out cell phones as people could use their own devices and instead just renew the chip.
Bonnie Keck says
I waited months to get the application, with all my very personal information sent in at least 3 times due to their ineptness, then finally {finally finally} got up to the The status changed to Enrollment Pending Approval. and The status changed to Application waiting to be approved. and The status changed to Enrollment Received. When I called to talk to someone about the months that were ticking by and no word and no phone, they THEN claimed they didn’t service my state {Alabama, they do, or my city, but they list my city as well}. I have called them over the months and nothing ever gets changed. This has been going on since March 15…of 2013. This company is a total sham and should be taken off the list of providers getting money from the government for providing crappy to NO service.
terry 26 says
I had the same thing happen to me , This company really stinks when it comes to phone communications They need to hire people that can speak English that you can understand. Now they are telling me the account has been canceled out and I need to reapply . I just got approved, canceled out all in the same day On June 26, 2014 . I would not recommend them to anybody. Safe the aggravation and a lot of stress dealing with these people……..
kentuckywoman2 says
This is my second company on the “Free government cell phone” circuit. I’ve come to the conclusion that they all have a racket!
I’ve had this phone service since the third week of March. I didn’t use the phone in March except to check to make sure it worked. I used it only a few times in April. But this month, May, I’ve had occasion to use it more frequently. (Partly due to google voice being changed and not working most of the time). I keep a log of all calls made and received, so I was surprised when I say today that in the past couple of days I’ve “lost” minutes! I haven’t called customer service, or checked my voice mail, and mostly I’ve just sent texts. But I’m supposed to receive 250 voice minutes and 1000 free texts with my State’s plan, so texting shouldn’t matter. I text more than call, but even so, I don’t even come close to 1000 a month!
All I’ve done in the past couple of days is delete texts, so unless the phone is charging me to delete texts, I don’t know where those minutes went to.
So I added up all my minutes, found 27 missing, and called customer service. I guess it’s just a luck of the draw who you speak with, but I got a gal that wasn’t too pleasant. First, she tried to tell me that my plan deducts minutes when I text. But it doesn’t, or at least, it isn’t supposed to. She had me send a text and see if it was deducted, and it wasn’t.
Then she tried to tell me that the phone won’t deduct minutes without it being used. Maybe so, but mine did. I asked her where on the website is the place for customers to manage their accounts, and she said Safelink doesn’t provide that service for “free” government accounts. That makes me nervous, because they can then say just about anything and customers have no way to print out usage pages, etc., to prove anything.
But since my problems with the last company and because I’ve heard unfavorable things about Safelink, I keep a log of every phone call I receive and every call I make. When I said that, she said she was going to replace the minutes, which she did.
But now I’m nervous, because she also asked me if I wanted to buy more minutes. I get text messages – at least once a week – from Safelink, asking me to buy more airtime. I’m thinking that maybe because I haven’t bought more airtime, they “took” minutes, thinking that most people probably don’t check and don’t know how many minutes they’ve actually used. But I add mine up to the second.
So, even though it’s a hassle, I suggest keeping a phone log. I will also be calling my U.S. Representative and my State Attorney General, because I think Safelink should provide customers with the ability to manage their account, which includes being able to view usage history, complete with minutes used and minutes charged. Moreover, customers should also be told when they receive their monthly minutes. The gal I spoke with had no idea of when I am set to receive mine. That also makes me nervous.
I like to keep an account of things and I can’t understand how a business could be run so haphazardly – unless that’s the plan. Maybe it’s easier to defraud customers that way?
I don’t know, but I’ll be keeping an eye on Safelink now. And that’s a hassle. So I may be looking for yet another government cell phone service. I think part of the problem here is lack of government oversight. There is no one “guarding the hen house”, save for the “fox”! I’m not a big believer in companies being able to “self-regulate”. Generally, that just gives them opportunity to bilk customers – it’s a huge temptation, I think.
There needs to be more accountability for these companies that provide this service and they need to be regulated on a more uniform basis, imho. I’m grateful for the service, don’t get me wrong, but just because I use this service, doesn’t mean these companies should be able to get away with abusing the program itself.
The last company I had provided terrible phones that got no coverage- calls dropped and were of such poor quality that it was basically unusable. However, it did provide customers with a website where they could monitor their account and phone usage.
I have to say that so far, Safelink seems to have better phones and better network quality/coverage, but again, the customer service and other aspects of its program, like not being able to monitor cell phone usage and charges, leaves much to be desired.
Judy says
I have waited for longer than 45 minutes for a techician to answer the phone. The trouble I am having is the same one I had about 3 weeks ago. The letters I am trying to type comes up another letter. Could you kindly give me instructions on how to fix this problem. I also wanted to talk about my minutes.
Laura says
Since may of 2013 I have been trying to get my plan switched to the 250 minutes. after dozens of phone calls including 3 way calls with them and hundreds of minutes used they finally gave me 250 minutes in Nov of 2013 only to switch it back the next month. I can’t exactly tell you when but for at least a 1/2 year now they call me almost everyday and sometimes twice a day like today telling me there is something wrong with my phone. They say my inbox is full and needs to be cleared then ask if I am using a different phone to do this. HMMMMM they are calling a # they gave me for their service. Then their is almost no way to call them back on another phone to fix this imaginary problem. I don’t answer this phone much due to them calling everyday even though 2 months ago I did fix this problem with one of their many trained service people. NOT! I wish I could have and get paid for such a wasteful stupid job…
linda merritt says
www,Safelink.com I need a replacement phone..There is no tones……So i can get ringstone..HELP … I REALLY WANT A NEW PHONE! PLEASE>>>
Janice says
I signed up for Safelink thanks to my state insurance. Been a customer for a year now. Customer Service is not as bad as Tracfone which what my phone is under. With then, they keep you on hold for hours at a time and you never get anyone that speak English clear enough for you. It’s a bust and I’m thinking about going to Straight Talk soon since Android phones don’t work with the SafeLink service as soon as I can afford it.
Michael G. Smith says
I am FED UP WITH THEIR B.S.!!!!! I was told I would receive a certain type of phone and was sent a junk one that wasn’t even sold anymore…..that, and it was BROKEN!! They sent me a replacement that was just as bad, now after 2 years with them I renewed my application and they switched my plan and can’t tell me why, how, what, where, anything!!!! I need this phone, legitimately, while others have 15 to 20 of them and i can’t even use mine now, THEY SAID I USED MY 1000 FREE TEXT MESSAGES ALREADY!!! I JUST RENEWED IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND USED 40 TEXT MESSAGES SINCE BUT FROM WHAT I COULD UNDERSTAND FROM THE “BOSS” IS I WENT OVER THE 1000 TEXT MESSAGE LIMIT………I’M NOT A GENIUS BUT 1000-40=960, MEANING THERE SHOULD STILL BE 960 FREE TEXT MESSAGES LEFT!!!! There “Customer Service” is the biggest joke I’ve ever seen!!! They can’t answer a single question I have, why my plan was switched, why they are taking minutes for every text, why I would switch myself from unlimited text messages and 68 minutes a month to 1000 text messages & 68 minutes a month, etc……. IDK, doesn’t it make a little more sense to go with the 1000 text’s and 250 minutes rather than 68 minutes?????? NONE OF THEIR B.S. MAKES ANY SENSE!!! KEEP GIVING OUT PHONES 2 PEOPLE WHO DON’T NEED THEM (OR CAN AFFORD THEIR OWN) SO PEOPLE LIKE ME GET SCREWED!!!! AND WE CAN’T EVEN GET AN ANSWER ON HOW WE ARE GETTING SCREWED B/C NOBODY SPEAKS ENGLISH WHEN YOU CALL & THEIR BOSS DOESN’T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY!!! THAT’S THE GOVERNMENT 4 U!! WHY GIVE THOSE JOBS 2 AMERICANS WHEN U CAN OUTSOURCE IT CHEAPER IN ANOTHER COUNTRY?? WHAT A JOKE PLAYED ON US AGAIN BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT!!! IT’S ANOTHER TRUE SHOCKER!!!!! I HAVE BEEN AN OBAMA SUPPORTER SINCE HE WAS FIRST ELECTED & NOW…………….I DO BELIEVE HE’S THE BIGGEST FRAUD THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN!!!! MANIPULATE THE STOCK MARKET 2 GET RICH, SPYGATE, SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY…..ha, YEAH RIGHT, OBAMA-CARE……..I REST MY CASE!!!!!!! IT’S SAD WHEN U CAN’T EVEN GET SOMETHING YOU PAY YOUR WHOLE LIFE FOR……..HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL 4 EVERYTHING HE’S DONE TO THIS COUNTRY, WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET A REAL LEADER??? IT’S A SAD DAY TO BE AN AMERICAN!!
Ty says
Horrible horrible service. They do not understand a damn thing! I have sent 3 of my patients there over and over! I am going to do assurance wireless! Hopefully they are better
Mr roy e stojsih says
It took me 2.5 hours to apply over the phone. kept having to repeat my self over and over and over. the person on the other end of the line had the attention span of a 3 year old and typed like one also very slow and hard to under stand. finally got it done and approved. 3 days later phone arrives. cheap flimsy phone. so called to have them transfer my old number to new phone. they said no problem. again had to keep reaeating my self to this other person over and over. he told me now I would be without service on both phones during transfer process and a new sim card with my old phone number would be sent. oh yeah they sent it alright with the exact same number that the first phone they sent me had. so I called again to get my old number from att transferred to this new phone. and was told I didn’t have an account and would have to reapply again.RED FLAG WARNING.. HAV TO GIVE OUT ALL MY INFORMATION SS NUMBER ECT. TO A 3RD PERSON THAT I CAN BARLEY UNDERSTAND . GOD KNOW WHAT COUNTRY I was TALKING TO.. so as I started the process for a third time. having to reapeat over and over #s addresses ect. that’s when it hit me!!!!!!!!! RUN this is not a good sign. so I had them un enroll me from safe link and to disconnect the phone and remove me from all trac phone accts since the 2 are connected. and they told me oh keep the phone you can always add tracphone minutes. and use it that way. AAAARGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! I want no part of tracphone or safe link god only knows where my information is going to wind up. I DONT TRUST THEM ONE BIT.. to make a long story longer I finally got everything cut off and deleted took the phone out side and smashed the phone to bits. bottom line STAY AWAY FROM SAFELINK AND TRACPHONE
SHARON WILSON says
I HAVE A SAFELINK PHONE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RETRIEVE MY MINUTES.I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT 20 PEOPLE AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY MINUTES!!! I AM VERY FRUSTRATED RIGHT NOW!! I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURES OVER AND OVE!!!!!
p diddy says
Why are you guys complaining about a phone that your not even paying anything on. Another want something for free
Mark Willis says
I am disabled and mostly housebound; To try to reduce the load of gear I carry when traveling I bought a better phone from TracFone to replace my SafeLink cell phone, camera, MP3 player w/ 32GB microSD card capacity, radio etc.; TracFone sent a phone which did not work, I entered countless codes, etc., net upshot after over a month of attempts, replaced SIM card, etc. was that the phone just would not get on their network. So I told them I wanted to return the phone and shipped it back to them; They sent a different phone to me, which I returned as it didn’t have FM radio and wouldn’t use my MicroSD card in it’s non existent MP3 player, just had a VGA camera, etc. – So I asked them about a refund and they stated it was in process. It is now 2 months later and the story’s changed, now today – for the first time – they say that I never returned the cell I bought, as well as that I took over 30 days to return the phone so I can only get a replacement phone (but of course cannot even get THAT, as now I supposedly didn’t return the phone, and now someone else is using the phone I bought. (Of course, it’s not possible that the phone was received there, repaired, or whatever, and resold by TracFone.) So supposedly I am just out the $33+ because “We Say So”? Deal with them if you want to, but know your enemy first.
melissa says
What a mess I live in an apartment and they tell me that someone else here already has phone so I can’t have one but no one lives here but me and I certainly don’t have one so since I moved just 2 months ago tried to use my old apartment number and guess what there is someone there too using a phone and no one else lives in that apartment yet. What a crock of you know what. I am disabled and really need this phone and am definitely eligible per the government standards. Just goes to show everything with the government is a pain and I worked hard for 20 years to be attacked by an inmate at work and didn’t ask to be disabled forever and what help to I get the programs available really are not there you just get sent around in circles.
mehmooda shaikh says
I haven’t received the minutes this month…..
mehmooda shaikh says
I haven’t received the minutes
Hawken says
I have been battling theses guys for two months at least to even get my phone which I still am waiting t receive this thing, every time I call the Philippines which always tell me the American people are to busy. the first application I had they messed up and had my last name as two different words which shut down my application. now I’m almost at the 10th day waiting to receive my phone. anyone know how long this crap takes them to get it to me r help
tarah says
Worst customer service in the world. They will just tell you to call another 1800 number. If you allow them you’ll just go in circles between 3 numbers all day with no one answering a single question.
Tryed applying and the website wouldnt pull up my allocation after that. Called and called and called. Finally got a lady to figure it out. Told me my phone would come in 7 – 10 days.
20 days later no phone. Called and called and called. Lady said “oh your application is still pending”. I said no online it says its qualified. She says “oh i see you are qualified your phone will come in 7-10 days”.
These people dont know wtf is going on.
SHARON WILSON says
I AGREE WITH YOU. THEY SEND YOU AROUND IN CIRCLES BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG!!!!!
Jeff says
I too have had and am having continual problem problems with them, I have even contacted “Tracfone” the parent company, (have not heard back yet) spread the word about the problems with this company, I have tried to resolve this but to no avail. I filed a complaint today 2/21/14 with the FCC over false advertising. here is the link, http://www.fcc.gov/complaints (FALSE ADVERTISING) please pass it along and SPREAD THE WORD!
Mary says
I’m unable to work due to epilepsy and an agency told me about safelink. There is no consistency to how minutes are used, I went online to look at a basic website, I did not download anything and I logged off in less than 8 minutes and it took 53 of minutes! I’ve only had the phone 2 months and didn’t get my minutes and wasn’t able to call because I’m out of minutes and it uses minutes to get support. My daughter called for me but they wouldn’t help because the phone wasn’t in front of her. I just found out my doctor has been trying to call for a week but I have no other phone or way for doctor to call. And so annoying to call for support and get people in India that I can’t understand. The government should get rid of safelink and use a company that will really help people
James says
Safelink is run by people that do not understand English. As forest Gump says, “That’s all I have to say about That.”
Abd. says
On 02/16/2014 I went to the Safelink website looking for information on upgrading my phone. Not finding any related information I started a chat but was given the customer service number which was an automated system. I finally found a number and was connected to an operator in the Philippines who wanted my social security number and date of birth before she can connect me to technical support. I refused to give my DOB or SS # but did give my name,address and phone number. [ I am a customer for more than 5 years] . Apparently technical support is the only department that can help me to upgrade my phone. So no help from Safelink to upgrade my phone. I cannot believe that to buy a phone I have to give my very personal information. I wish I had the information as to which government agency to contact about this. Rated POOR MINUS.
Jeff says
contact the FCC here is the link http://www.fcc.gov/complaints good luck!
vivi says
I had a worse experience ever in my life by contact 800-723-3546 for my parents safe link phone. The customer representive seems like enjoy torture me by asking questions such as address, phone number, ss# and name multiple times. I lost my patient because I felt I am talking to an idiot somewhere over the sea. He want my mother do the recertification of her account even though I told him my mother can’t speak English. I believe this guy even give me his fake name because he might afraid I am going to file an official complain of him. He told me his name Fangot Scott but he sounds like an indian. Can someone help me find out where to file a complain against his abusive customer service?
Diane says
First impressions! Ha! I called 3 times to get the Refer a Friend minutes, haven’t received them yet! I was told that I would get 30 min and my friend 100 min. I started online and the rep told me to call 800-723-3546, this is where the headache started, I was on the phone for 1 1/2 hrs being transferred to different departments until they closed at 10:30pm, never received any help! Finally told to call original number again! Waited 2 days and called back, was told to wait till Wed. to see if minutes would be added. Nothing happened! I waited till today, Tue. to call back waited for 1 hr, talked to 8 people & one rep told me to use another phone which I did, told me to punch some buttons on my phone which DEDUCTED 31 minutes from my phone. Now TOTALLY DISGUSTED, I was told to call original number AGAIN!!!!! I hung up! So if you think your going to get extra minutes for referring a friend. FORGET IT!!! They don’t know what their doing!!!!
Kristi says
After reading some of these comments, all I can say is “that’s the government for ya”!!
I cannot even begin to explain all of the problems I have had with this company over the past two years and what they’ve just did to my account, drew the line!! They permanently deactivated my account through no fault of my own and they say that I have to buy a new phone so that they can continue to add my monthly minutes!! Why do I need to buy a new phone for them to do this?? This makes absolutely NO SENSE!! Not to mention that they’ve told me two different reasons as to why my phone got permanently deactivated. They said that it was their legal department who did this. So, in an email that I just sent to them, I asked them for an email address to their legal department. I wonder if there’s some lawsuit against this company!! Are they treating their customers — those who buy minutes, etc., from them — the same way?? Anyhow, I have contacted my local Congressman’s Office about this and someone, from his Office, sent me a form to fill out so that they can contact the FCC about this. In fact, I think I will include this particular link on the form so that he and the FCC can read these complaints and do something about it!!
My situation all started around 2 years ago, when this particular company supposedly sent me a replacement phone, because one was needed. However, that particular phone went to someone else in a different state!! Go figure!! The company has my information!! Why did this phone get sent someplace else??
debra says
first of all the safelink company sucks . i have a defective cell phone they had sent to me. the stupid safelink cell phone that i recieved does not have a add minutes feature. this has got to be the most teribble so called free phone service in the entire world. as of january 3rd 2014 i have tried 4 different customer service numbers tto have my free 250 miunutes adde d to my safe link phone . as of january 16 2014 i still do not have my 250 free monthly minutes added to my safe link cell phone.
Dana says
So far I have not been able to reactivate my phone in spite of numerous calls and menu choices and keypad punching and conversations with customer service reps. In the last three days I have been told three completely different things by three different service reps and the evidence is that either previous conversations are not typed into my account or no one bothers to look up my phone call history. This is a PHONE company and they can not reactivate a phone. This would be like a dairy farmer not being able to milk a cow. I live in a disabled/elderly building managed by the Boston Housing Authority and I need a phone. I can not get a phone from these people.
Anna 617 says
I am currently working with the senator’s office in my state (MA) and they will refax EVERYTHING required to these people after speaking with them and agreeing that they are completely belligerent…After faxing EVERYTHING they claim they need – senator’s office will check back with me in about a week, which would be Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014 to see if I got my minutes…If not – my senator’s office will lead me to a new step and I am completely on board with that…Wish me luck!
PLEASE CONTACT Seth from Senator’s office (Sonia Chang-Diaz) and ask to speak with Angela Brooks or Seth @ 617-722-1673….THE MORE PEPLE WE HAVE _ THE BETTER CHANCE TO INVESTIGATE SAFELINK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! I hope you use this number…
Anna 617 says
Safelink is giving me the runaround since Aug. 2013…Indian representatives either claim to have mailed me applications 7 times or never received mines – not by mail, not by fax and there is NO resolution, as these pathetic reps deny your request to speak to a supervisor by deliberately hanging up time and time again…Fully qualify, need the minutes in case of emergencies with my 11-month-old, but these people do not care and offer no resolution…This has been THE MOST outrages, stressful and difficult experiences I have EVER experienced…Someone needs to investigate
Arturo says
I have tried working with Safelink Wireless for the past three weeks and gotten nothing but more problems and still do not have service.
First, on December 12th I had no service and after a day of trying to contact them, attempting their suggested fixes, I had to endure the interrogation of personal information that is usually not given over the phone, but I did, since I had already provided it initially without thinking. After trying their recovery process, which took another day and got nowhere, I went through the gauntlet of pre-recorded messages and automatic computer phases again before I got to a real person. Dealing with this individual and the canned responses I got the excuse the reason my service was not active for my phone was that I had provided the wrong zip code, they had my billing zip code coded in the system versus my residence. I do not understand this being I am only 6 blocks away from post office and it is still the same area and I have had service undisturbed for two years up to this point. He had me shut off my phone and wait 5 minutes then turn it back on, if that didn’t work do it again, but must wait one hour to give the system time to reboot; and if this didn’t work try it one more time making sure I had waited at least one hour before trying. I humored the guy and after three tries was able to use my phone two days later; little did I know they had change my phone number.
Second, January 1st, after two week of no calls and I had been expecting several return calls for setting up interview times for a real full time job, finally, nothing! I called back and after long waits got a hold of someone, more pleasant than the last two times and helpful, I found out my phone number had been changed without ever receiving notification of the change. I also, informed her I had not yet received my monthly allotted minutes and she assured me I would have them by the next day.
Third, January 3rd, two days later, I still had no minutes and I called, waiting on hold several minutes before speaking to a real person to find out my service had been cancelled without notification. I had tried to cancel my subscription at the start of all this hassle and was inform I could not do so without a justifiable cause for them to cancel and was bound by a service contract through 1/23/2016.
Now, I am without service and must to re-register in order to get service back. I will find another service other than Safelink Wireless, this is the worst service ever and totally unreliable and inconsiderate.
Beth says
First off…can’t understand a word they say since they talk 90 mph…secondly…i’ve been trying to get my mother a phone for the past 3 months!!!…Saying they never got the documents are they were not acceptable. I’ve uploaded, emailed via the website instructions to the tee!!!…Finally after getting off the phone with them today, one rep told me they no longer accept emails…duh, why in the hell was i not told this from the beginning..and why the hell is the website still allowing you to upload, email etc…when they are no longer accepting info that way???…I”m done with them! Trying LIfe Wirless now…We will see how that goes!
Adrienne says
Horrible horrible customer service, it’s absolutely horrible. I was given five different numbers to be serviced by a sidekick representative. They gave me different numbers telling me I needed different things in order to be serviced. Half of the numbers they give you don’t have an option for you to choose from for your particular situation. There are no reps for the other numbers that are given. Then if you don’t select an option merely because there is no correct option, then you are automatically disconnected. Why does sidekick have so many numbers and all of them , absolutely all of them have the same options. The reps advised upon giving you a number that she/he doesn’t have an option for you to select in order to be serviced properly. I literally had to get frustrated and super irritated with a rep to assist me without shooting me off to another number. I pray I don’t have to call you all back for anything else. Horrible service, I was finally serviced after 1hour in a half no lie.
Holly Allison V.H. says
I forgot to add that they refuse to replace the phone I paid $80 for so I could get a phone large enough to hold and see , as you mentioned too small, with a phone that I can hold and use. They sent me a phone a Barbie Doll could not use.
Holly Allison V.H. says
Similar experiences as you . I’ve gone into Facebook to complain publicly hoping that would light a fire under them but they just pass the ball back to me with no resolution. They apologize profusely and cannot manage to do anything beyond that. It’s really gotten worse over the past few years and I’m considering goingiwth the AARP phone plan, Consumer Cellular where the plans are $10 a month and they supply modern day cell phones which are affordable, not the refurbed out of circulation phones that Safelink/Tracfone profide. Free is not free if yoiu cannot use the service.
Rashel says
Have had my phone for less than a month. I believed I was to get 250 min. I only got 130. That is OK, but my main complaint is they won’t stop calling me or stop emailing me! I called the company and wasn’t offered an option to talk to someone about it. But I stuck on the line and finally got a real person. I told her that i didn’t want them to keep calling. I told them that i wanted the emails to stop too. She repeated my problem back to me and said she said she was sorry, then hung up! So i went on line to unsubscribe, which did not work! Today, I went on line to try again. I decided to fill out there survey to “improve their service” oh boy! Every time i checked a box, a different one would get checked. I tried to fill in the comment box and it would not work! I finally gave up and pushed the done button. That didn’t work! This phone is for the old and disabled, yet he phone is so small, and the buttons are too small for a person to easily use. The phone came with no instructions to know how to use it. They kept calling me to tell me I have to use the phone once a month. Even after I used most of my minutes up! Bad company! Extreamly bad costumer service, and our government pays these people!!!
Hammond says
check into how to file suit against a company that is violating a specific “DO NOT CALL” order or listing. It is my understanding that this is now illegal for companies to ignore an individual’s request (or demand) to be put onto their DO NOT CALL LIST. I’m sure you can find a free legal consult online that can give you more specific details. However, the very FIRST thing that you might want to consider doing is to send both a certified, return receipt requested with instructions for a LEGIBLE printed name and signature of individual at the company that signs for the letter.and also sending another copy of the letter to the company via Federal Express, DHL, etc. The courier companies .WILL make sure to receive a signature as well as providing you with a tracking record of delivery. (As for me, personally, when I’m the annoyed consumer I’m the one that NO company wants because I do things like find the name of the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President of Customer Relations, Chairman of the Board ….. you get the idea – people who are making far too much money to be forced to deal with problems that their substantially lesser staff should have handled before it made it to their desk …. and in the letter I politely explain the number of problems I have had, the dates & times & names are always good to add if you have them, the incredibly shoddy and unprofessional treatment I have received, and the fact that while it is extremely irritating for me to have to pursue the issue, by this point I will be happy to press charges for violation of the DO NOT CALL order in which I will have no other choice to file not only against the company, but them personally as well since it is obvious that senior executive management must condone the continued violations since after numerous more than reasonable attempts it is continued to be ignored. In closing I generally do something like tell them that I look forward to actually meeting them in person and wish them a pleasant trip since the violations occurred in (whatever your state may be) and you are planning on subponeaing them personally for their testimony should you be forced to file suit. ) It’s not that they can’t afford the trip to wherever, but in a small claims case, they can’t hide behind their lawyers. Or you might get really lucky and there are SERIOUS penalties for willful violations of the DO NOT CALL order …… in which case you might end up not having to deal with a free phone ever again. My own experience has been that it’s never had to actually go that far to go to court – generally senior management will take the steps necessary to correct the problem QUICKLY simply because it’s not only going to be an embarrassment as well as an inconvenience to them, it’s an annoyance that they are paying someone else to handle and to recompense you for the time and money you are out in you attempts to get the problem(s) resolved prior to taking this step, isn’t even a drop in the bucket when it is compared to what even one of their junior paralegals will get paid if you file….. not to mention what their in-house or contracted counsel is going to be charging them to deal with a couple of hundred dollars and an inexpensive phone – especially if you are located in a state that is a couple of thousand miles away. Once you have the actual signatures on the proof of delivery, they are still liable even if their staff didn’t get the letter directly to them – kinda like a parent is responsible for the window the kid broke even though they knew nothing about it. Generally corporate brass REALLY don’t like being embarrassed and seem to take it very personally. (I used to work for a seriously MAJOR Fortune 500 firm and it never ceased to amaze me how the brass I worked with would react if there were potential embarrassment (especially personal) involved.) Just a suggestion, but having the actual hard copy of a signed proof of delivery is much less refutable that an electronic image. Wish you the best of luck. PS – you can generally find the names and substantial other information on the corporate brass on the stock market pages in the event someone at the company won’t provide it to you….. probably take you a lot less time to obtain going that route or via WHO’S WHO… or even thru a friendly stock brokerage receptionist.
carla says
i need a free ccell phone from safe link ok let me know
Free Government Cell Phones says
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers/safelink-wireless
John says
Four days ago I posted about SafeLink with problems galore in getting my phone to work again after my service disappearing and getting an “Unregistered SIM” message on my home screen. In all fairness I need to balance that with two pluses for SafeLink service:
1) Two months ago my phone stopped charging. I called for a replacement and was sent one very quickly. Good service there.
2) Then with my current “Unregistered SIM” problem, after two calls to Customer Service and entering about a hundred code entry numbers (needless to say, it took a bit of time), my service has been restored. Not great, but not that bad either.
A pretty satisfied SafeLink customer
thegeorge says
I cannot beleive how difficult it is to get a phone. They loose paperwork. Don’t speak English. Spent 90 days trying to get a phone for my mother which never happened. I would not recommend them to anyone. I think their employees are stealing identites,
wes says
I had a great phone for a while but it wore out and this one has been nothing but trouble. One time they said it wasn’t even supposed to be with me claiming my old phone never got back. Then i don’t get my minutes monthly, more and more common, and end up talking to someone in india i can’t understand. I’ve just spent 3 days trying to get the thing to deduct the minutes i use for text messages and nothing works. You’re better off just buying a normal tracfone and paying for the service.
Sharon says
DO NOT THIS COMPANY
They asked me for my yearly verification. I did it, they said I did not.
So I did it again, & again, & again.
They said I still did not so I sent a hard copy. They said I didn’t.
I called& called & called & called. Can never get a person.
They started to send me email’s & texts that I would lose my account if I did not send verification.
I sent an email & another & another & another .
Used 45 minutes that where not suppose to be deducted because I was calling them.
No response.
Just an awful company. Choose another carrier
Holly Allison V.H. says
Yes, yes and yes. they also send me texts and emails that I’d better use the phone at least once per month or they’ll cancel service. I use the phone and they have no record of it. Now they won’t replace an $80 phone I had to buy because their phones had such poor coverage. the tried to replace it with a cheap, dime store phone so small a Barbie Doll couldn’t use it.
John says
Last Saturday my service was cut off (“Service unavailable” came up when I tried to make a call). The home screen on my cell phone now says, “Unregistered SIM.” I call the Safelink/Tracfone troubleshooting number (on another phone, of course), and talked to a person who told me only that I had to buy Tracfone minutes. I tried emailing Tracfone, but got a reply that said I should call the troubleshooting number. So now I’m faced with an electronic merry-go-round with no answers to my two basic questions: 1) why did my phone service quit?, and 2) how can it get fixed?
I may try one of the other companies.
Christine Cady says
When will I get in mail my safe link cell? Put app. In mail sept. 28,2013.
sandra says
this is the worst company!. I don’t understand how this company may be in business. My mother applied got the phone every month since April. we still waiting for the phone!!! everytime they tell us they need new documents, documents have expired! this is ridiculous!!!!
yvonne says
Call 1888-CALL FCC and let the GOV. know whats going on
Ron Rowe says
I forgot to leave my rating for Tracfone. Where is the negative numerals at ?? This company is so horrible they do not qualify for the lowest rating !!
Holly Allison V.H. says
I agree. It’s because they have outsourced all customer service to non-English speaking countries and Tracfone obviously never trains their staff.
Ron Rowe says
I am a Safelink customer, which is operated through the Tracfone cell phone provider. They are actually the same company, just operating with both business names.This is the absolute worst company I have ever dealt with. They sell defective phones, that overcharge you two and three times the actual minutes you use. They do not back up there return / replacement policies. They constantly lie to you when you call there customer service lines, and they make you call back time and time again, only to be forced to talk with a different customer service employee, that makes you tell your problem all over again, only to tell you the person you previously spoke with, gave you inaccurate information. So far, I have lost $33 on an defective phone upgrade, and three purchases of extra minutes that I lost up to 60% of due to the defective phone. So in all I am out $100 and Tracfone continues to lie to me, make statements they do not back up, and I continue to loose minutes being forced to call them over and over. Run away from this horrible company as fast as you can. I am turning my problems over to my credit card company, in hopes they can help me recover my losses. I am completely amazed that a company is allowed to operate this way that is supposed to be offering a government sponsored service to the poor and disabled.
Mary Reed says
MM
Mary Reed says
I am quite frustrated. On June 1, 2013 I was robbed, including cell phone. Phone is till on … somewhere .. but turned off because goes directly to voicemail. I have made numerous calls to 800-378-1684 which tells you to turn on cell phone (duhhh … stolen) call cell number in 15 minutes and call tech support back if problem. PROBLEM IS I DON’T HAVE CELL PHONE … I WAS ROBBED! So I call 800-977-3768 one of the automatic numbers for getting new phone. After holding for some time, person answers, gets all your info and tells you to call the 1st number you started with because the cell is still active. Its a merry-go-round gone wild. Whats with all of this automated stuff. I believe they do it so you get frustrated and stop calling. Well they are wrong. I am on disability and could really use a phone. Isnt there somebody out there who can help me rectify this situation? All I want is to have the old phone cut off and get a replacement. HELLLLLLLLLPPPPPP
Star says
This company is the worst. They always have problems giving you your minutes. You can never speak to human. I am switching and I will never use this company again.
ot says
Safe link what a joke I had a phone and it stopped working. I called and they told me I needed to reapply, I did. Over a month heard nothing so I call get a poor English speaking person, no surprise. I asked what is going on . and she repeated the same thing over and over again . I kept telling here that is the medicare document and that is a copy of my SSD. Well i got no were with them. SO I CALLED ASSURANCE WIRELESS AND GOT APPROVED ON THE PHONE ASAP AND MY NEW PHONE WILL BE HERE IN 5 DAYS. THEY ARE THE SAME KIND OF COMPANY. SO SAFE LINK KEEP GIVING YOUR PHONES TO THE ILLEGALS AND SUCH WHO NEEDS YOU. AND FIRE THOSE NON ENGLISH SPEAKING IDIOTS YOU HAVE WORKING FOR YOU.
Tiffany says
I had safelink and any time I went out of the zip code I had the phone set up for it wouldn’t work at all. Not to receive or make calls and once I was in the area it would work after being in a non working area I would have to completely shut it down and reboot to get it working again. I wasn’t happy with it so I just decided to use a low cost prepaid phone. I think it’s crazy the angry complaints though, geez folks it’s a FREE phone. No one HAS to give you a FREE phone. Of course it’s not going to be perfect, either deal with it or get something better, but don’t act like people OWE you something, because guess what they DON’T.
bn says
been waiting to recieve phone for 6mos now.
nobody knows what they doing there. All foreignors.
keep telling me order stuck in computer .spvsr no
help either. They tell me they have no phone number
that i can call or even speak to anyone to file
complaint. They are full of @#&+
ot says
Go with assurance wireless same deal better phones
melissa says
my experience with safelink is much the same as others lifeline government cell phone, phone takes off minutes even when talking to your insurance co. used all the minutes just trying to get the phone straightened out, read the reviews on all government phone lifeline companies and they were all the same everyone had nothing but troubles its a big scam n the government is paying for it. I was unable to use it to find a doctor and talk to my insurance company for free as the phone is intended for. I hope the government will look into this
PORARN says
HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE phone service and Filipino customer service. Each month there is a NEW problem/reason that my minutes are not added. Some months no minutes were received and I had to ask a friend or neighbor if I could use their landline phone in order to call SAFELINK and get my minutes. It takes a minimum of 45 mins to resolve issues. THE MAN TOLD ME I HAD TO MAKE A $10.00 PURCHASE TO GET MY MINUTES TRANSFERED.
CRAP! CRAP CRAP CRAP. I THINK I JUST GO LYCAMOBILE.
RB says
HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE phone service and Filipino customer service. Each month there is a NEW problem/reason that my minutes are not added. Some months no minutes were received and I had to ask a friend or neighbor if I could use their landline phone in order to call SAFELINK and get my minutes. It takes a minimum of 30mins to resolve issues.
jc says
Safelink is definitely a Government Ripoff. All you get is a bunch of people who you cannot understand who tell you a bunch of lies and pass you to the next person. My opinion : If we can’t understand them, they do not care. They get paid anyway …probably because they CAN talk about other government ripoffs to people who can understand them. Another way to put down elderly people who need the help and give the help to people who did not earn it.
sum guy says
you get what you pay for
danegirl says
I can ever reach anyone to actually help with any issues. been on safelink for over 2 years and whenever i have an issue it is impossible to get help. I have tried ALL the numbers and never a live person to help. They probably think it is a good thing that the numbers link up to each other so you call no one in a circle useless and frustrating. I am changing service providers today
Tangela Johnson says
hey my name is tangela johnson i need a free cell phone can u tell me want i need to do.
Kirk says
Gosh Tangela,
I wish I could give you some good news. I’ve been looking at these Co. that supposedly give free phones and plans, and I have not seen a good review yet ! I’m trying to get one for my Mom. I’m going to bookmark this page, and will let you know if I find something that looks good. Tomorrow I’m going to call Health and Human Services ( 211) or ( 254-770-2696 ) and try to do something thru Medicaid since she’s on it. I hear they may be able to help. Wish me luck and give them a call they have a lot of answers, and can often direct you to the right place. You can also get help with stuff of almost anything calling 311. 211 and 311 are good numbers to have. I’m pretty sure these are national numbers.
nassawanda norman says
I need a cell phone
fay hall says
They don’t explain any thing to u. but give you the run around. Thank you safelink
fay hall says
I received a email from safelink. Stating that if you are enrolled in Amerigroup you can get a bonus of 200 minutes one time only so when i call Amerigroup. They give me a promo code to call safelink back and didn’t honor it they told me i have to enroll in safelink with Amerigroup for the first time. And i talk. To a supervisor. And he didn’t they to explain more to me so i am in Amerigroup but i didn’t receive no minutes at all
Catwhip says
Very dissapointed with Safelink Wireless and the service. My first phone was stolen so the company replaced it but never gave me my minutes. I tried to contact them by telephone many times but there was never any person available to answer my call. I received a notice from SL Wireless informing me of the way to obtain my minutes through my handset, however the menu item necessary was omitted from my phone.
Now the company has disabled my prepaid service. I read many reviews about SafeLink Wireless and my situation is not out of the ordinary. I think that a different company (other than Tracfone) should administer the plans. I recommend trying to sign on with a different provider.
marlene pilcher says
i been using safelink over a year i know twice i didnt recieve my min and cant even get help with that when i call them they give me another number to call and i cant even talk to a live person i know all this month i wont have any min and cant even get them to help me
barbara peeler says
Called safelink today told them my minutes did not go on had196 minutes from the end of june they told me their system showed they went on but i check my phone every month so i know they didnt and also we lost our phone from a fire and they would not replace it cause my husband could not remember a passcode from 3 years ago they are nothing but a goverment rip off
Dee says
I called them 2 day because the old phone i had was not holding a charge.I did all i was told 2 do the day i received the new one.( it ALWAYS takes at the very least 20 minutes 4 them 2 fix anything ) They didn’t give me any minute’s .So the guy was very rude at the beginning .Same with me on the code thing .How do i know ,i have had this old phone for 3 yr.’s .so finally after 30 min. i got my minutes.Then the no. wasn’t the same so he was going 2 fix that .In the end i not only didn’t get my same no. but the one that was on my new phone was changed .Well ,i guess in the end i am grateful 4 the phone because i cannot afford the smart phones.But Lord know’s it is a pain in the butt !!
justin says
need a phone becuse i have a bran disorder
william tompkins says
I have tried and tried to aquire a phone from Budget mobile for years and its always the same story. I AM NOT IN THE SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!! I have received SNAP for going on three yrs. now,How could I not be in the food stamp system? I dont want to hear about correct addresses, spelling or any other possible mistakes I may have made. I get the feeling the people I speak with are very lazy and they really dont care, like they are doing me this great favor and they might get back to me after lunch. I have got to the point to where I dont believe this service really exists. I currently I live in Arlington tx. and have gotten the same treatment i recieved in Phoenix Az. Oh, and they tell me they only update their eligibility files once a month. I find that hard to believe that a nation wide phone company, with all the technology at their disposal could possibly practice this so called policy. Will some one please contact me and actually help me from SafeLink. MY land line # is ***-876-6415 or mail me a reason why I dont qualify at : william *****, **** Woodcrest ln, Arlington Tx. ***** if youre company can find the time.I have been speaking for weeks, months to the budget mobile store at 633 West Pioneer Parkway Arlington tx. 76010 , phone 682-323-7516. IF you call them, I hope they answer the phone for you. They seem to take alot of breaks. thankyou
joey54 says
I went thru the same nonsense with SS Disability; I had their first denial (Jan 2000) in my hand when calling in November 2000 about WHY I had not heard an approval or denial from my appeal mailed March 2001.
After Seven months I began to call their national number, 16 times over 3 days and was told I had never filed a claim but the 17th lady told me to wait even if she was gone for an hour and She told me I had been denied almost immediately in March 2001).
Being November 2001 well past the 60 or 90 day time frame I was told I had to write to a judge and explain why I was so late and SS said I had not moved or changed an address and the denial WAS mailed by SS I was just out of luck and had to start all over despite the fact that the mail man often put other letters in my box and mine in other boxes which Sometimes the other person would bring my mail to me.
I eventually did get to see a judge and did get SSI but have never seen the second denial after 12 years.
SS told me it was mailed so I received it and it took the 17th person to even give me an answer; you cannot get the same person twice so it was very frustrating also in my small town the lawyer that does SS will not take you as a client until the Second denial has been received.
I had a list of crazy things such as turning in a 23 page paper in person at the local office and 2 weeks later I got a letter from SS asking for the forms I had taken in person; the woman remembered me at the local office as I handed her the entire folder she had given to me two weeks earlier but could not use it as it did not have a SS receipt in the folder she gave to me and I had not opened so could not have lost.
Even in person things went wrong and the applicant is always at fault; the letter from SS telling me I was at fault did not resemble ONE thing I had explained.
A judge gave me SSI only because he could see I was sick AND I had just turned 50 with little change of retraining while in pain.
The lawyer called it a “comedy of errors” that was not funny but he also said that for some reason a persons application can go astray and NOBODY can ever get the case corrected.
If you feel you are alone in the vacuum of space you are not alone as there are thousands of others and it can destroy a life as you wait on a train that will never arrive.
It is sad how messed up things get when you follow the rules and comply but are told that you are at fault and at the time I thought that going in person would ensure that nothing would get lost but it is a mess.
The only thing worse than being told that you did not follow the SS rules is to be declared DEAD by SS which does happen to a few unlucky people and one man did die before his case was corrected but after about 9 years the guy had died without his SS for all of that time.
Larry says
In regards to the complaints concerning poor reception. I feel your pain. I live in the boondocks of Arizona. We had Verizon before we moved here from So. Cal. We had poor Verizon reception here. After a lot of digging into Cell phone operations we got smarter. We could see a cell tower from our house but still had poor reception. The answer is the tower we could see was not owned or licensed to be used by Verizon. We were between 2 Verizon towers, each about 12 miles away. We had poor reception because hills were blocking the signals from the Verizon Towers. Cell Phone frequencies are “line of sight”. That means hills, buildings, bill boards and etc. will block reception. We paid for poor Verizon service for 3 1/2 years, wrote letters, called them and whined in general. Finally they put up a cell tower next to the one we could see and shezamm! We had full service, solid as a rock. If you are in one of those poor reception areas your batteries will not last very long. The reason is your phone does not use much power when receiving a signal. When it transmits a signal it uses much more power. In general, when you are not using the phone, it is trying to locate the nearest cell tower used by your provider. If it does not get a response, it sends out a more powerful message, no response it boosts the power even more. Sooner or later it has used so much power trying to find a tower, your battery is dead.
No excuses for any provider but, this should help you understand the nature of the beast.
t says
I’ve had my safelink phone for a few years now and I have never had any problems. I’m from Michigan. I don’t know if that makes a difference or not, but i’m surprised there’s been so many problems from other customers. it’s a free phone service. If everyone is truly having problems, I wouldn’t give up on getting the services you need. At least you’re not losing any money. It has really helped me. I’m a working citizen who just doesn’t make enough money to afford phone service. Again, stop complaining. This phone service works. Maybe all of you are expecting too much. There’s no phone service out there that’s perfect. I’ve been satisfied. I can voice and text with no problems with reception or other issues. i thank them for helping out working people like myself who just don’t make enough money and need a little assistance.
JoanM says
T., it’s great that you’ve had good luck with your SafeLink service. So did I for 3 years. But I would suggest that you stop telling other people that they have no right to complain, UNTIL you have the horrible experience of having to deal with an actual human being in this company. Or, I should say, the LACK of possibility of talking to a real person. When the day comes that you need help with an issue, be it lack of minutes being delivered, a stolen phone, or any other thing that should be easy to deal with in a normal company with even minimal customer service, THEN you’ll understand what people are upset about.
JoanM says
I want to reiterate. My TELEPHONE service has been generally stellar with SafeLink – good coverage, okay bare-bones phone, no dropped calls even. Where this company fails utterly is is its CUSTOMER service.
LDT says
How much are you people paying for this service? Let me guess $0.00. Your getting something for free and you still complain, why don’t you get off your lazy ass’s and get a job and pay for a phone like the majority of the country, you punks make me sick.
sww says
LDT–as far as being lazy, no i am not. 60 years old 3 heart attacks blood clots in lung more than once, clots in legs. i recieve ssi.almost enough to live on.But better off than some.havent worked in 3 years.when you live off what the goverment gives you that i worked for for 45 years, you will understand.any money i had saved went to the doctors.I and others need this service.but we need it to work.out of the first 25 comments only 1 was good. so whats the deal?i need the phone for when i am not home.emergency! when power is off home phone does not work!on the road ect.
Lisa Sciolle says
Tracfone will let you purchase a new phone rather than the very poor quality “free” ones. The free ones are very faulty
as they are both old and sent to customers without checking to see if they work properly or at all ! Buy an inexpensive
new one and be prepared to spend a lot of time, but eventually all will be ok….usually!!! It is sad how helpful government
programs are not monitored by “the government”.
Christina Lutz says
If you can’t get through to a live representative. Go to the website Gohuman.com. It will give.you the Safelink call back number and all you do is enter you phone number in that they can get back in touch with you and you will get a return call back within 5 minutes from a SafeLink representative.
Christina Lutz says
Sorry far wrong website, it is Gethuman.com
Maxcine says
Sucks! Customer service is the WORST
shannon says
Wow! I was considering changing my cell service to SafeLink because I am completely fed up with the service I have now, which is ReachOutWireless. The service they provide is so frustrating, mainly because, I can not get a connection from my house or anywhere near it. Occasionally it will connect but the person on the other end complains that I’m breaking up or they can’t hear me at all, even though I can hear them loud and clear. Then, when I try walking around to find a better signal, the call gets dropped. I don’t have a landline.. On many occasions I have felt helpless, a feeling I wouldn’t have felt, if, the “SERVICE PROVIDER” I use would, actually, “PROVIDE SERVICE”.
Geraldine Mullins says
pleasehelpme,iamtryingto get someone totell that i get e-mail from youall saiding that i need to re- certify my phone i try to but it want let me do it.
Amy says
Thanks CeCe!
CeCe says
SafeLink sent me a cell phone in a timely manner, and now I know why they give them away for free. It’s because they couldn’t sell them for $1.00. The sound quality is horrible, people cannot hear me, and vice versa. Don’t waste your time calling customer service because you will get somebody in the Philippines, or India, or somewhere else who cannot speak English. So I decided to go back to the old fashioned, reliable landline for $15.00 a month, no bundles and no features that I don’t need. I am glad I saved my old phone. What a difference in the sound quality! I have tried to cancel my service with SafeLink for 2 months and it’s impossible. I sent them 3 e-mails so far but have not heard from them. I tried to cancel on their website but it keeps giving me an “error” message; it seems they don’t want to lose customers. Today, once again they sent me 250 minutes that I don’t want. Stop it!!!
Amy says
I am sooo fed up with trying to contact someone about my phone!!! I have had mine for almost SIX months and it will not hold a charge!! I have not even used the thing! The battery is bad and I CANNOT get through to see if they will send me another phone!
CeCe says
Don’t waste your time, I suggest that you read my post below and decide for yourself. If you don’t really need a cell phone I suggest that you go back to the old fashioned, reliable, excellent quality land line but don’t let them push you “bundles” if you don’t need them. Good luck!
Christina Lutz says
Go to Gohuman.com and it will give.you a SafeLink call back number. You will enter the phone number you are calling from and within 5 minutes you recurve a call back from a live representative.
Christina Lutz says
sorry have you the wrong website, it’s Gethuman.com
wireless says
All telecommunications service providers and certain other providers of telecommunications must contribute to the federal USF based on a percentage of their end-user telecommunications revenues.
Some consumers may notice a “Universal Service” line item on their telephone bills. This line item appears when a company chooses to recover its USF contributions directly from its customers by billing them this charge. The FCC does not require this charge to be passed on to customers. Each company makes a business decision about whether and how to assess charges to recover its Universal Service costs.
Michael Bonner says
My problem is similar to others.
Safelink asked me for a renewal of service.
Last year (2012) from 8/12 to 12/31/12, I tried renewing my service.
I called , mailed renewals, & tried online& called again.Altogether I must have responded 15 times.
I gave up.My phone is still on. Although the phone has lousy reception, & the charge rates are getting shorter & shorter.
This month, 4/13, Safelink again messaged me for renewal.
I hope I can find a better provider & phone.
Any suggestions ???
CeCe says
I suggest that you read my post below and if you don’t really need a cell phone go back to the old fashioned, reliable, excellent quality of land lines. Any major phone co. has this service although they will try to push their “bundles”. Good luck!
jennifer says
I would stay far away from this company they are great until you need something, their customer service is the ulitmate worst, they tell you two different things, they told me my minutes would be transfered over and the lady gave me a code to delete my minutes and guess what no minutes. Stay far far away i warn you, youwill not be happy with this company. choose a different one
Maxcine says
RUN! I could not agree more. They are HORRIBLE!!!!!!
debi jackson says
Well what do you know, I’m not the only one that has a complaint. My is a little different. I do have trouble with the phone service, but it is mainly about not gettin reception. I had my own phone, Tracphone, and had NO problems with reception until I got on Safelink. Also I was told I could keep my number that I already have. Well, after 3 tries I still don’t have my original number connected to my phone. I will try JUST one more time. Also, I had told them about my having trouble with the reception and they said I may be Out-of-Range of a tower. I told them that it is not possible since the tower is just about 4 blocks away and I can see it from my kitchen window. I attempt to use the phone in my house and I can’t, because I don’t get any connection. If I go outside and try, I only get a very weak reception. If I’m in my car somewhere other than by my house, the reception if good. I am NOT going to drive somewhere to get reception just so i can use my Phone. Also, if I forget to turn off my phone when I get home it really eats up the charge. I was told it does that because it is using its energy to find a connection. Normally before safelink my charge would last me about 3 days (I don’t use my phone very much, its for Urgent or Emergency calls only). Now it only lasts about 1 day. I was hoping to get rid of my land-line, but I can’t. This has been a Humungous Disappoint. I guess this is just another way osf taking advantage of Disabled people. Well Safelink just to let you know the other 2 services (Assurance and Reach Out) are no better than you are. You are ALL USELESS! What a shame. It would also be nice to speak to someone we can understand! I thought this was going to be a way to make this a little helpful for me with my Disabilities. I was wrong. Unless you and the other services can get your acts together, you all might as well get used to these Comments. I hope things improve because I would like to be able to go outside in my yard and not have to worry if something happens to me. Very sincerely and disappointed, Debi Jackson
Dave says
Hello Joseph . My name is Dave , and I am a representative with Safelink wireless . Unfortunately , at this time , you are not able to switch a landline number to a cell phone . That is with any cell phone . A Safelink cell phone comes preprogramed with a number when you receive it .
wireless says
Regarding number portability comment by Dave rep for Safelink wireless. Dave please check with others in your company regarding number portability. Joseph, just google number portability landline to cellular for your answer.
john says
i have tried about 7 times to get assurance to fix a SIMPLE problem- (for about 6 weeks now). The problem: cell phone works when it wants to, as in—outgoing call gets connected and then 5 seconds later a disconnect. Many calls incoming and outgoing missed altogether.(NOTE: THIS SAME PHONE WORKED EVERY TIME AT MY OLD ADDRESS FOR OVER A YEAR BUT WHEN I MOVED LAST MONTH ACROSS TOWN….) One tech. support person told me that since i moved that the simcard needs to be replaced. Cell towers are calibrated to current zip code. it was, and no difference in reception.BUT I KNOW OF SOMEONE WITH THE EXACT ISSUE OVER RECEPTION AT MY APT. COMPLEX AND THE REPLACEMENT SIMCARD WORKED.(He also has safelink phone service) Now, i just got off the phone via landline with another idiot technician who said: call on the phone(their cell) and since the call went thru (with him on the other landline with me), he said they can do nothing. Why because the phone call went thru. Then i replied for the 3rd time in this particular call that the phone CUTS OFF! This recurs at will so much it is rare that a complete call can be made! I LIVE IN A MAJOR CITY COVERED WITH CELL TOWERS AND AM FAMILIAR WITH CELL PHONES AND THEIR USE FOR MANY YEARS NOW. Remember how i informed you earlier in this comment that i talked 7 times to these guys? well, i remember him and his previous ‘technical’ advice- exactly the same including this bit of nonsense— to call him back when the problem reoccurs! it did! with an incoming call about an hour later— i could hear the caller but they couldn’t hear me. The short of it? I am getting rid of safelink. I am tired of going thru hoops with these people but am leary of assurance as it is run by virgin mobile/sprint and who i had real issues with the last 3 years of over 17 years with them.
Joseph Patturelli says
I cant get a human being on the computerize phone service. All I want is to switch my landline number to my new safe link number. The system doesn’t understand what I want. I tried many ways. I called the human line, got a human being who gave me a number to call. They will be able to help you, she said. Then I just realize the number she gave me was the same number I was having trouble getting threw. The safe link computerize phone service needs a lot of improvement. Also tried email and did get a response but no information what I asked for. Please, Please, Please someone help me. This is my last hope. I am considering of cancelling my phone and go to another phone service that has a better system and maybe human being to talk to. Thank you if you can help.
darrick says
my rating is negative 5 stars
Maxcine says
Ditto!!
darrick says
phone doesn’t work /////// cant get through to support ////// total ripoff of government funds //// DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHERS WHO PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICE
maq says
Totally agree… Company is owned by Mexico and reps are from Indonesia – no dis to them but they clearly do not understand real problems and only know what they are told to say.. Not once could I reach an American rep.
nikki says
i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CeCe says
You work for them, right? There’s no way in the world that you would post a lie without getting a kick back.
nikki says
i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
nikki says
i love sAFE LINK WIRELESS THERE THE BEST!!!
darrick says
are they paying you to say that because they have the worst support and customer service of any thing i’ve ever seen
Nancy says
No I didn’t !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nancy Kwasniewski says
DO I throw the phon away,SINCE SAFELINK wont help ?
Nancy says
Hi, got the phone 2 wks. ago, can’t get service anywhere in my home, outside on our 35 acres, or the surrounding towns. Never made 1 call. We lost our home phone a few months ago, so I need this phone to get contacted for job applications. i E-mailed Safelink about never having 1 bar of service, and never heard from them. That was 2 weeks ago. -Nancy – In wisconsin
Yoslen says
HORRIBLE HORRIBLE….ANY HONEST SUPERVISOR THAT REALLY CARES ABOUT HIS COMPANY CAN TAKE CARE OFF THIS CASE #12892438….AND PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME AGAIN FOR PROOF OF SSN
BECAUSE I HAVE SENT IT TOO MANY TIMES NOW AND I’M JUST HOPING IT DOESN’T GET TO THE WRONG HANDS SINCE THEFT OF IDENTITY IS ON FASHION NOW.
YOSLEN….*** 231 4516
Yoslen says
HORRIBLE..this is a lie,I applied for a phone over 2 months ago for my mother who is a refugee and has to stay all day by her self at home,I have spoken to 6 different agents and several supervisor now and they keep asking me for her proof of SSN and proof of address which I have personally sent three times now to all different fax numbers they have given me and we are still waiting.
It is a shame that they have changed the outstanding support they were offering 4 years ago when I arrived to this country and I had the pleasure to enjoy this (free) service,now I have come up to the point
of thinking that this is no longer a free service,but just another way of promoting a business.
I wonder if someone really cares about this government and give me a call and try to honestly assist my mother.
YOSLEN…..***2314516.
rachel says
I have had safelink for 3 yrs of trouble. I had to buy a tracphone because the one they send was garbage it would not pick up a signal where i live. Now even with my phone i cannot use it if i’m at home i have to get in my car and drive about 2 blocks. can u switch your provider? Maybe virgin mobile is better the tracphone?
Bob says
Rachel, if you have a good phone that you like and can get signal within a couple blocks of your home, I would suggest you really consider keeping your service active and solve the signal issue another way. Depending on where you live Virgin Mobile’s signal is probably even worse. I personally couldn’t get any signal inside my house for a couple of years. I was as frustrated as you probably are now. But luckily I learned about cell phone signal boosters! I was very skeptical at first. They aren’t cheap and I had no idea if they really worked or just another tease, but i finally got so fed up with all the missed calls, dropped calls and walking around outside until I found a ‘hot-spot’ that I decided to bite the bullet and buy a signal booster. I went to Walmart because of their return policy, if it didn’t work I could simply return it and get my money back. However,after installing the unit I have been so impressed I can’t even tell you how happy I am with my phone signal now. A side benefit is that I also get a stronger signal from my local TV stations. Friends that stop by are also impressed with the strength of the signal they get on their phone at my house, no matter who their carrier is. After nearly two years of using this signal booster I am still as impressed as I was the first day. Just remember what I said, they aren’t cheap, but in my opinion they’re certainly worth the price. You can email me if you’ve got questions.
Bob says
BTW, I have to say along with many of the rest of you, my experience with SafeLink customer service has been a horrible one too. The biggest issue is no-one speaks English well enough to have a reasonable conversation, but in addition they all seem to read from the same queue card no matter what question you ask them. They can’t answer simple questions and read something that either makes no sense at all or is totally unrelated to what you need to know. The bottom line though is if you actually have service, your minutes are added regularly, and it’s FREE, then there’s not much sense in complaining about something that isn’t going to change. From the people I’ve talked to it seems that all the providers of this free service have problems so my only concern is does the service actually work? If so, then talk with customer “service” as little as possible.
Curt says
Customer service is useless for English speaking consumers. The service is Terrrrrrrible. My first phone would not pick up signal the replacement phone was nice. However the stress with the customer service made having use of the phone unpleasant. I canceled use of the program. The worse customer service I have experienced in my life.
Darrell C Lewis says
I sent out an application with two items in it. My earnings last year and the earnings for this year. That was more than 20 days ago. I have not seen a cell phone and I have been without a cell since December 26, 2012. I even called them in January and they said they would send out an application. No such thing occurred. No cell Phone either from assuarance wireless either.
Hugh Messer says
Bubba, If you have never had a problem in 3 years why would you be talking to customer service so much.
SafeLink does so much wrong and they make such an effort to excuse their mistakes by blaming the customer that I have decided it is intentional. The Lifeline customers are old, sick and poor. They need a way to stay in contact with their Doctors. This could be a good program for them. SafeLink, pick on someone your own size!
Hugh
Bubba says
Some of the people on here are not the smartest. Your getting a fee phone and your crying about the style of phone you get REALLY?Go buy one you don’t like it. I have been a Safeink customer for the last 3 years never a problem and always treated very well by the customer service reps…………..Thank You, safelink
nucklebuster says
ever run out of minutes? call in to add minutes costs you minutes.to buy minutes.
dorothy mayberry says
thanks thats one of the biggest problems is a bunch that dont know english trying to help those in the us
Charlene Griffith says
I would like to know what I would have to do to get a safelink wireless phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
You might want to notice the website you are on, and follow the instructions.
Holly says
Hi,
I got a safe link phone a short while back. I could not use it because I’m EXTREMELY hard of hearing. I wear hearing aids in both ears and can not use cheap phones because they are not hearing aid compatible. I need a phone so bad but cant afford one. What am I to do?
Emily says
I work for Safelink Wireless. Any problems? Please contact me at eklucz92@gmail.com. I speak English and i can help you out for sure! Thank you!!!!
Ramona Pierce-Highsmith says
Hello: A few weeks ago I submitting the necesaary information to receive an free phone and minutes and I having receive the phone or any reply regarding this matter. I am “57” and unemployed due to an injury from my last employee. I have no phone and needed to know whats the problem. Thank You!!!
Mina Flebotte says
Safelink customer service people are not the sharpest tools in the shed. They have no idea what they are talking about and each time you call, you get a different answer that makes no sense at all. I understand this is a free government phone, but the US government really needs to start evaluating who they have working for them. They change plans on you without your authorization and after you call and wait over an hour to speak with someone, you get someone who doesn’t speak english and makes up things as they talk. They need to be reported!!!
Robert Griffin says
All I can say is good luck to you! I have been fighting with this outfits worthless “customer services” department for the better part of five years. My mother got one of their worthless phones, about five years ago, and from the start it was nothing but trouble. The phone will only let you talk for one minute, then it hangs up, once in a while it will let you talk for a little longer, but not often. I have been on my cell phone, using my minutes for hours at a time. We have gone through every fix they can think of, their favorite is, it has a bad battery, and it still doesn’t work right. I have bought at least five batteries, and they all have worked the same. I have asked and asked, if they would replace the phone itself, they have told me from the first month, that it is not the phone. This company is a flat out joke. It may not cost my mother anything, and it shouldn’t, since it doesn’t work. I am now forced to take things in to my own hands, and buy a phone for her, and pay for it myself. I hope you never have a problem if you use Safelink, if you do you will never get it fixed. Good luck with the “customer service” people, I could never understand anything they said, had to have them repeat everything at least three times, God forbid they have people who speaks English as a first, or even second language.
rekrap21 says
I just want to say – regarding people complaining: “this may not be the phone for you, read the terms and conditions”
UM, IT’S A FREE PHONE. If it’s not the phone for you, then BUY ONE.
Gawd people are stupid.
kbwood says
I got a samsung “free ” phone in October with 250 free min. Come Dec i still had not received any updates or minutes for Nov or Dec. I called into customer service (hold time no shorter than 30 min) and was told they were issued. Nope-been working off same 250 min since October. Now JAN and i tried to add minutes. Tells me no available updates at this time. So now back on hold for 30 plus more minutes to let them tell me some more bs. Not satisfied at all.
darlene bennett williams says
my husband lost his phone, is it some kind of way to suspend the service until we find it?
wutajoke says
The annual verification does not work online and even after, I verified by phone, I continued to receive phone text messages about needing to verify; that I would be shut off..I’ve tried different browsers..I used more time than I would using the phone..come take it..this epitomizes what the world is becoming
Ellen says
Same problem here..
Ellen says
What a joke… I just spent1 hour and 20 minutes on the phone trying to get my minutes. They tell me i need a new sim card for my phone. What a joke, the phone i use and have been using is just fine. It worked yesterday !!! Now if i needed a new sim cards and i was sent a text last night to call customer service today because they could not give me my minutes, DIDN”T they know that a week ago ?? Why didn’t they send me a text then ?? Then after giving them all my info i’m tranfered to another number , 1 800 977 3768 (which by the way just disconnects you). So i’m given another number 1 800 7183 ( which tells you they are to busy to take your call , call back tomorrow) . So them i’m given another number 1 888 299 7280 which is as worthless as the last to numbers , so heres another number for you to try 1 800 378 1684 Anyone getting the picture here…Well finally after that 1hour and 20 minutes + 2 people who both took the same info from me, i’m told i should have a new sim card in 3 to 5 day. I won’t be holding my breath..Hey i wonder if Safelink is connected to the government in any way,LOL. Well I guess we shall see what the next week brings when it comes to that sim card . Wish me luck God knows i’m going to need it …
D Bendzus says
I have had more problems with assurance wireless and now I have no phone and they say they wont send me another til Sept 2013. They claim they send me a new phone sept 2012 and I know they didnt or I would have a phone. Im on a fixed income and need to phone in my heart meds but unable to do so as I have no pnone. They are the worst company to deal with and none of them speak english and to get a supervisor on the line, not gonna happen with assurance.
W DAVE says
This company is not one to be trusted, unless you like to be put on hold for several minuets and loose minutes you never used, and talk to people from a different country that hardly speak english. I droped them and have never been happyer
NCM says
My phone just died. Cannot make or receive calls. Is fully charged. Have made monthly calls as required and have recveived minutes on time. So what’s happening with no service at all????? It’s like the battery is dead and I know it is not!!!
Very Satisfied says
I have been with safelink for several yrs now. I have had almost no problems at all with them and love the fact that I have a cell phone that I don’t have to pay for, since I sure can’t afford one. I have the 250 min plan and never have had to add minutes. I have very grateful for the service and and want to say ty to safelink for such a wonderful gift!! I highly recommend this company for your free gov. phone service!!
anonymous says
How long does it take safe link to send u a replacement phone ?
Kathleen Hubbard says
I TRIED TO SIGN UP FOR SAFELINK WIRELESS BUT THEY SAID WE ALREADY HAVE A FREE PHONE. I ASSURE YOU WE DO NOT. WE MOVED TO THIS ADDRESS AUGUST 2, 2012. THERE ARE ONLY TWO PEOPLE HERE. MAYBE THE PREVIOUS TENANTS HAD IT. I NEVER HAVE HAD IT. HOW CAN WE RESOLVE THIS? OBVIOUSLY i CAN’T CALL WITHOUT PHONE SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Ann says
Try to call customer service hotline number , they can escalate your address or do investigation for you to use that and to get a free phone service.
auntie says
I had the same issue. They will ask you to fax either rental/contract agreement, electric or water bill to verify your address. Safe link Fax # 1-866-696-1532
fllady61 says
can you switch the sim card to another phone? or does it even have a sim card?
Georgianna says
How do you check to see how many minutes you have left after using the phone?
K. Malloy says
Dear Anne,
Maybe they think that, though they are poor, they deserve a quality phone/phone svc. and for a company to live up to it’s promises? Not everyone had the sunny, breezy experience you describe. Good for you. However, these people deserve good service that does not drop calls or give them poor connections. When they work or were able to work (if disabled or retired) – that they put millions of combined taxes into the system…way more than these phones cost the government/the providers. There is some reason that providers are rushing to “get in” on providing free phones. Be sure that they are making a profit, a potentially huge one, though the phones may be “free” (for basic minutes, not extra…!) Maybe these folks, who bother to comment, just expect to be regarded and treated with respect, understanding and good customer service, as we all do. That is what all human beings want. Perhaps you settle for little? Or are bothered by others who assert their rights/boundaries? Or you think these Providers, or the Gov’t, is doing you a generous favor? They are not. Can we be real? Everyone profits, including you, but please be realistic. I wish you well, I truly do. We all could use a little more love and understanding in this world. Find yours, girl. (Incl. the people on this post who you called “greedy.) All the best to you. I pray prosperity for you and a beautiful holiday, truly.
Anne says
All these crazy bad reviews make me wonder what the he77 people think – greedy, greedy, greedy. i filled out my application online. was approved in 2 days and got my phone 5 days later. brand new little samsung phone, already charged up, minutes added and works great.
Christian Oguguo says
I lost my safelink phone, how do I go about getting another on?
Ann says
You will just have to call the customer service at (1-800 Safelink) to check the status of your account then if everything’s fine there you can call tech support at 1-800-378-1684 🙂
TJ says
Seriously??? Maybe be responsible as those of us who pay for our phones have to be. The sense of entitlement here is disgusting.
Unsatisfied Assurance customer says
Can someone tell me what type of phone does Safelink send you? Assurance sent me a piece of junk, the Kyocera “Jax”. It was such garbage that I have it turned off and do not even use it.
I am hoping my contract will expire with them this month and then I can switch to Safelink.
Jim says
The same, it is the cheapest of the cheapest, drops calls all the time, cannot hear volumn- I have had it for 18 months, trying to find another company, but…good luck
Unsatisfied Assurance customer says
Thanks, Jim.
Ann says
If you are having a troubles with your phone from safelink you can ask for replacement phone. they can assist you with that. call tech support 🙂
Anne says
not all phones they send you are the same. mine is a little samsung phone – works fine – no complaints.
Ellen says
The phone they sent me (the second i should say) I have never been able to use. It never worked the waay it should. I was on phone with tech for days, half the time unable to understand half of what was said, if you know what i mean. Finally i just tossed it in a drawer and i use the old trac phone i have. It’s a flip phone, 1 of the first that came out, LOL.The phone they send a JUNK, it’s just that simple. It is Jan,2 2013 and i’m trying to get my minutes but as usual they have a problem with me and instead of getting my minutes i get a text telling me to call customer service, it’s like NOW WHAT”S THE PROBLEM. It never ends. Oh did i mention that 1 time a friend bought me a card for my phone which i added and safelike took the minutes, I call that being a thief. Those minutes where bought and paid for and they had o right to take them.
Donald Fawkes says
READ AND READ please read the terms and conditions of each available phone service on the the govt plan……..they offer different prices for extra minutes. This may not be the best for you if you would like to text over your free minutes of 250. Basically the offer of the free 250 minutes is about all these carriers have in common. Just because it is free does not mean you should not care about the deal…..thanks. Low on funds does not mean you are ignorant….good luck.
barbara m says
i forgot to give an important piece of info. when i could not pull up my new phone number on the screen or the website what i did was i called my home phone that has automatic callback and the number was there. i called the number and my phone rang and i did not have to call customer service that ooohad a 30 minute wait time. the only drawback i see is trying to get thru to customer service if you need their support. i was getting frustrated holding for them every time i tried, until my brainstorm came. little things in life make me happy like figuring out my number. hope it helps someone else. see ya
barbara m says
i was approved for my safelink phone on 10-05-12 and tracked its shipping on fed ex web site and received the phone on 10-15-12. thank you so much for the phone and for your prompt service.
ms. tripp says
This is NUTS!!! The annual verification does not work online. I have my enrollment ID and all other requested information and your system cannot process it. I have 4 different numbers to call…888-299-7280, 800-723-3546, 800-977-3768, and 800-378-1684 and I can’t get through to any of them or I am put on hold for 12-24+ minutes and then get a different number to call. This is not service. My time is precious and my Safelink number is out there on all sorts of job applications and my resume.
The point is folks I’m got the free phone because I don’t have $ to pay for one. How am I supposed to call you to continue service if I can’t pay for a phone to deal with all this b.s.?
Regina says
Ok well i wasnt pleased at first i got my phone pretty fast but when i saw the package it was in it was in the worst condition it could be in. It was handled wrong it looked like someone had thrown it several times. I opened the package and the charger was broken and the phone also and everything else. I called customer service yes they took long i was on hold for 43mins while waiting i was actually doing my exercise lol well back on the topic they transfered me to the supervisor and he handled my situation very well he was a perfessional about the situation. He order me a replacement phone and was nice so i should be getting my replacement soon. Yes i was mad at first but it wasnt there fault that some ups ppl couldnt treat the package right… Well will update when i get the new phone..
josue says
the phone i need it for emergensy thank you
james says
This site might be close but I just finish talking to safelink people. I didn’t receive my minutes on my replacement phone. I talked to girl to add them, so they had a record.. I knew I wasn’t going to get the free minutes until next.. I only got 20 but I guess I should be grateful.. I just lean on 0 until an operator pick up. That’s the only way to talk to them.. Its sad that so many were let go (CS) I would give theses guys two stars, because it free if your lucky..
Claudia Mabel Smyth says
Hi 🙂
I really try to keep an open mind when reading reviews for products and/or companies. I usually will read reviews written recently along with ones that were submitted at least 12 months ago, if possible, while also reading the best and the worst reviews written by consumers. Yes, it does take up a lot of my time. I search the internet for reviews/articles written by people/businesses who aren’t affiliated with the product to see how they rate it after testing/using product. Again, yes it is very time consuming. By doing these few steps I feel that I am capable of making an informed decision about a product.
Well I have done this and I would NOT and will NOT choose Safelink Wireless for my parents, mother-in-law, family or even myself.
I also think that Eduardo, and everyone else who gave them a good rating, is an employee of Safelink. The complaints and poor reviews all focus generally on the same issues and every few poor reviews you have a great review but it doesn’t dispute any of the issues that the previous consumers talk about.
We may not have a lot of money at this moment but that doesnt mean tomorrow we wont be back on our feet paying our own way, this is America and we do NOT have to use your inferior products or deal with a company who chooses to have a help center half way around the world.
Rex Cossey says
I have no complaints at all, yes the phones are cheap “THEY’RE FREE” and customer service can be a pain, but I’ve had problems with other customer services, mostly about being over-billed. I’ve also had problems understanding immigrants who English was their second language, but they were doing the best they could and it just took a little patients and working with them. I’ve been using safe-link for a couple of years now. One phone I accidentally spilled a coke on and they replaced it, I lost another and they replaced it, my current phone stopped working so I contacted them and they’re replacing it. I have no complaints at all. I’m low income and really appreciate the Safe-link program. So stop wishing for bad luck & knocking on wood and get a pre-paid and let me know how that works for ya!
Leen says
I am having the same problem as the above, application, proof of eligibility. Have faxed several times, they tell me have not received. Would not recommend this company to anyone. Government needs to find a better carrier than this company. How about AT&T, Sprint, etc. Half the time I cannot understand the person on the other end. Where are they??????
I am in a limited access town and they are the only ones who supply this location.
brian says
SAFELINK/TRACFONE SUCKS! If they would hire AMERICAN WORKERS WE ALL COULD BUY PHONES! Forgein workers I have talked to Phillapens (SP?), Hatians, Mexicans, Asians, and God knows who. NOT ONE AMERICAN! Another case of American Goverment Money Going to someone and not AMERICAN WORKERS!
Please don’t reply I will never come back here, just had to say my piece and get out!
SAFELINk/TRACFONE SUCKS!
Monica says
I used to be a very satisfied safelink customer a couple of years ago, then I found employment and was no longer in need of their services. I recently lost my job due to economic issues and have been trying since February to get another phone. I got my food stamps back right away and no one else in my household uses free gov’t phones, however, the non-english speaking customer service reps in Bali, say i do not receive gov’t assistance and keep denying me. I called my state (FL) food stamp assistance and they were kind enough to send safelink a fax for me of my certification. Safelink customer service still refuses to qualify me for a phone even though my gov’t assistance program faxed them personally. WHAT A SCAM! Safelink continues to say my state program is denying me, can you believe it? By the way, the extremely helpful english speaking lady at my food assistance office [who sent the fax to safelink for me] says she is hearing of this problem all the time and that was why she was so eager to help. Too bad her good efforts didn’t help; I have a copy of the fax and will keep trying I guess, maybe they will get enough complaints and the gov’t will put in a better program. I am totally disgusted.
sonny says
The worst! NO customer serviice, No service most of the time….Automated phone messages to route you in circles! Best “Circle Jerk” I ever had!!!!!!
No one speaks english! What I want o know is who in our Gov’t got paid to list “Safelink” as a choice! I can’t believe “Trac Phone”, the mother company allows such shoddy companies to represent them at any level! ????? /Does anyone in the gov’t actually know about what these phone service providers actually provide?. Just another waste of US tax dollars and someone getting paid for services not rendered! Is anyone steering the ship!???? there should be an investigation …..we’re getting screwed!
dumbfounded !
Gayle Stewart says
This has been very difficult for me.I was sent a text Tuesday to verify me continued phone,so I went to my apt. office got on Wi-Fi &went to Safelink.com. It said not able to process over &over&over again. So called phone numbers, same thing? By Friday finally got a girl who talked to me like I was 2yrs.old, gave me another phone to call that had a 15min. wait.After all that I lost 55minutes off my phone. Now I am stressed because I am 65yrs.old,legally disabled,low income,can not reach these people to keep my phone on&another year of service.
jane jordan says
your service is horrible. have been waiting for sim card and guess what there is no record for the sim card. no notes that one was supposed to be sent. get your act together. duh
todd wiseman OSU says
well they were nice enough to replace my phone which was stolen from me by a drug dealer at a bus stop on the OSU campus, but i just can never understand all those foreign people on the phone, they talk way way too fast like they drink coffee or that red cow sugar soda all day long or whatever, the phone has a very tricky keyboard and about half of my calls end up as wrong numbers because of this,
AZ_customer says
Safelink sucks. I applied for a free cell for my son (age 12). We ‘saposedly’ were approved and sapost to check back in 48 hours….that was a week ago. Tried 3 different 800 numbers, including the main number on there website and its out of service??? WTF, and this is after they get last 4 digits of your social. Are these people running a scam or what?
Jacob says
well i got my sefelink phone 2 mths ago and have had nothing but trouble ever since they keep changing my minutes release date every month.
last mth i got them on the 25. they havent told me when i am getting this mths.
and agreed i hate those indian MFERS.
if u are going to work in america please learn proper English.
Dianna says
I have too totally agree. I hate Safe Link, I was charging my Safe Link phone and when I turned it back on, it gave me a message to buy air-time. It was turned off just that quick and I called my number and a guy answered in two days. I have over 600 minutes left, because I used that cell phones for emergency purposes, which is what the commercial states. You can’t get anyone on the phone ever. They have horrible customer service. The automated service hung up on me and said to call back from a touch phone. I think that is ridiculous. What about if an elderly person is calling that doesn’t have a touch phone. They can have it. I know it’s free, but, it’s not worth the hassle. this is the second time they’ve done this. And, guess what? Even though they turned my phone off a couple or more months ago, they are still sending cards saying I have not received my Safe Link minutes. Of course, I haven’t, because you turned off my cell phone. I am going to research another company. If you have a Safe Link phone, get rid of it and research a better company. And let’s not talk about the browser to surf the internet. If you happen too touch it by mistake, there goes all your minutes and you can’t block the internet browser. And when you lose your minutes and it’s their fault, they start you off with only 10 minutes and you lose all your minutes you have. I think safe Link is a rip off, even though its free.
Margaret says
I STARTED USING THE SAFELINK PHONE TODAY. AND ALL MY CALLS DROP. ALL CALL I MAKE THEY DROP IN A SECOND. I CANT HARDLY HEAR ANYTHING. NOT EVEN WHEN MAKING A CALL AND HEARING THE RINGING. CALLS COMING IN ALSO DROP. SO I CALLED SAFELINK. WELL THEY ASK ME TO WAIT AND BE ON THE PHONE, AND THE MINUTES ARE ADDING UP. WELL FINALLY AFTER I WAITED FOR OVER TEN MINUTES THE GUY TOLD ME TO CALL FROM ANOTHER PHONE. I DONT HAVE ANOTHER PHONE RIGHT NOW, SO HOW CAN I CALL THEM. ALL I KNOW THAT THIS PLACE IS BAD. I HAVE HAD BAD EXPERIENCES IN THE PAST WITH THEM AS WELL. NOW I HAVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES LESS AND THE PHONE KEEPS DROPING THE CALLS.
Jenna says
I signed up for Safelink because the customer service of Budget Mobile was ridiculous. So far I’ve found the customer service support of Safelink to be satisfactory. Perhaps they’ve improved everything. When I received an application in the mail from Budget Mobile, I phoned in to register and was told that it would take 5-10 days for my phone to arrive but that I could also phone in for updates. When I phoned in a week later, those unorganized idiots couldn’t find my application and had me do everything all over again. First I was told it would be 5-10 days and then 15 days! That’s when I decided they weren’t worth the wait when I was in bad need of a phone so I signed up with Safelink and got much faster results.
Cookie says
Ready to pull my hair out after talking to 3 people (including a manager) at safelink. I called to report that I could no longer access or retrieve my voicemail messages from a non-safelink phone. I had tried 3x unsuccessfully before finally calling the customer service dept. Although I repeatedly said at least 8x that I want to get voicemail from a non-safelink phone, they insisted on telling me how to do it using my safelink phone. According to them, they could not test my phone remotely to see if they could get a message asking for my pin number. I was left on hold for long periods of time, its a good thing I wasn’t calling from my safelink phone. I will contact the FCC and make my complaint known, maybe I’ll get better service through them.
Marie says
One star is too many. After 4 yrs using same phone with NO support needed phone died completely and I spent 3 days trying to get through to a support re. When I finally could they couldnt speak English and did nothing to help. I canceled {TRIED} to and applied with another co. that advised me I couldnt because safelink had not canceled my service when I phoned to do so 3 wks prior! Took 7 weeks and a letter to HQ to be ‘released from Saflink so that i could get service with another co.! It took 5 mins online to get service tho. Once they get gov funding for your service they dont care if you EVER have service.
John Allen says
After looking a number of reviews for Safelink, I have to agree with most as I also experienced an address problem. I cannot qualify because my address is not in their system despite including an official USPS letter confirming it!! I give up with these foreign idiots in customer service.
Mayra says
I applied for and rec’d my Safelink phone in the mail within 2 weeks…amazing.
All I did was charge the phone and it was already activated with mins and ready to go. On the first of the month I automatically rec’d more mins. This is amazing. I am very grateful as I am currently applying for disability and have no income. So Happy-
mark says
SAFELINK is a troublesome dangerous piece of crap if you ask me. My first phone with them stopped working for no reason. The 2nd phone they gave me never worked either as it could not retain a signal for me to dial out OR answer it! I spent over 3 or 4 hours on SKYPE trying to talk to them and they just did nothing for over 6 months. FINALLY when my minutes reached almost 1200 they sent me an email threatening to cancel my service if I didnt start using an inoperative piece of equipment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So after over 6 months of having NO USE OF A PHONE < I just cancelled their damn NON SERVICE and am hoping to God I can find another one.
JOHN says
WHILE THE ADAGE “DON’T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE EYE” MAY HAVE WEIGHT, THE FACT IS THAT SAFELINK/TRACPHONE IS AN APPALLINGLY RUN “PROVIDER”. THEIR CENTRAL AMERICAN CALL CENTERS MAY HELP BANANA REPUBLIC ECONOMIES, BUT THE NERVE OF THE COMPANY TO SUCK YOUR MINUTES DRY ON HOLD TIMES IS BESTED ONLY BY THE FACT THAT—LISTEN UP-THEY CHARGE YOUR CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AS REGULAR AIR TIME!! NOW I KNOW WHY THEY HAVE THAT CRAPPY MUSIC ON FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE ANYONE GETS UP AND ANSWERS…THIS COMPANY IS DYING TO GET YOU TO HAVE TO BUY ADDITIONAL MINUTES!!
Cassie says
I applied for my phone on February 26,2012 and received it 4 days later (today). I am sorry to hear about all the issues people are experiencing. I hope to not have as many problems.
Paulette says
I applied on January 4, 2012 for a phone with Safelink. It has turned into a nightmare. After a month of phone calls, emails, and letters, I still do not have a phone. I do qualify, but they just keep giving me the runaround. Nobody seems to understand what I am saying or writing; which is: I qualify, I have not received a phone, it has been over a month, are you or are you not going to send one. I have never in my life been given such a runaround, nor have I wasted this much time on the phone. These people need no lose their government contract.
Gordan says
Check this out!
Don’t let the name fool you! “Wireless for Hope” is NOT a charitable foundation. They couldn’t seem to care less as thousands of consumer applications are held until Telecom Service Bureau, (Ocala, FL) AKA “Wireless for Hope” heads to court or pays up on $40,000 debt. The slow crawling legal battle is nearing a year and no progress has been made. “Wireless for Hope” refuses to pay forcing local contractor to withold applications.
A small, woman owned and operated business located in Orlando, FL is in dispute with Telecom Service Bureau AKA “Wireless for Hope” and needs the community’s help. There are some days when I truly fear for my safety. On other days, I’m just fuming mad because I know I got scammed by “Wireless for Hope”. My home is under foreclosure, my bank account is drained and legal battles ahead.
Telecom Service Bureau operates programs called “Wireless for Hope” and “Affordable Home Telephone Service” (along with several others nationwide) with funds provided by USAC. Long story short, they position themselves to seem like a ‘charitable organization’ but are not! They get paid $10 a month by USAC ($120 a year) for their service for each phone they distribute to a qualified needy person.
We were hired to market and distribute re-furbished phones on Telecom Service Bureau’s behalf. We were offered a ONE-TIME payment of $3 per phone with 10,000 phones to be distributed in each market; New Orleans and Baton Rogue for a total of 20,000 phones, which we accepted. Keep in mind Telecom Service Bureau would be getting $120 per phone and with 20,000 phones distributed they would rake in $2,400,000 while paying us out $60,000 for services. Even at a measly $3 per phone Telecom Service Bureau owes us $40,000. I have discussed settling this matter for $20,000 DIRECTLY with owner of Telecom Service Bureau and their attorney but, after several promises of payments we have yet to see a penny.
Since Telecom Service Bureau is a local business I need your help. This debt has caused me many sleepless nights. I paid my contractors/workers despite Telecom’s failure to pay me. I HONORED MY OBLIGATIONS TO MY STAFF. This debt has caused me to lose my whole life savings. I would appreciate any government agency or legal help. I FEEL COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF BY TELECOM SERVICE BUREAU! Right now, USAC and the FCC Inspector General are investigating. With the exception of noting their attorney, at this point, I am refraining from calling out individuals by name in order to protect their privacy. This is NOT a personal attack. It is a true effort for me to get paid what is rightfully owed. At the very least, I want to recover the $20,000 I paid out to do the work I was contracted to do by Telecom Service Bureau.
Telecom Service Bureau, “Wireless for Hope”, Affordable Wireless and Easy Phone Service are represented by:
BLANCHARD, MERRIAM, ADEL & KIRKLAND, P.A.
4 Southeast Broadway Street
Ocala, Florida 34471
(352) 732-7218
Telecom Service Bureau along with their attorney are even denying a contract exists between us and their client. REALLY?! We received two payments issued by their client of $20,000 each of the total $60,000 owed accordingly to our payment timetable. NOW, THERE IS A $40,000 BALANCE. Based on what I observed and later learned their operation is questionable all together. There are a lot more details I will not discuss unless compelled to do so in court. I just want the money that is owed to me and forget this whole experience. I am confident the government will catch up to them eventually with or without my assistance.
At this point, I feel like Telecom Service Bureau (Wireless for Hope) stole my money and Blanchard, Merriam, Adel and Kirkland, P.A. supplied the get-a-away car.
Get them out your state! Telecom Service Bureau operates under different alias in the following states:
•Arkansas
•Louisiana
•Maine
•Maryland
•Missouri
•Nevada
•Oklahoma
•West Virginia
•Puerto Rico
•Florida
Get your service from reputable nationwide vendors offering the same type of USAC funded phones. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and Virgin Mobile all offer quality programs for needy families.
Tracie says
I would never in a million years deal with Wireless for Hope. They have operations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and a bunch of other places. In my opinion, they are complete low lives!
Ms. Dawston-Blash says
Safe Link Representative was very rude to say the least. I am currently in Transitional Housing and was told the address did not qualify as a residence.
Safe Link could not issue a phone and if it was found out that the address used belonged to someone else….I would be prosecuted to the FULL EXENT OF THE LAW!
There are PEOPLE, living in SHELTERS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING….ARE WE INHUMANE BECAUSE WE’VE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES….THAT REPRESENTATIVES OR SUPERVISORS WOULD PREVY THEMSELVES AMONGST THE ELITE…TO HAVE NO DISCERNMENT OF “HUMAN SUFFERING?!!” HAS ANYONE “EXAMINED” SAFE LINK…AT THE VERY LEAST MONITORED THIS SO CALLED “GOVERNMENT PROGRAM??” SAFE LINK IS A “PUBLIC DIS-SERVICE!!”
Noah says
I went to the site and put information in and then read the last page on the internet form where you must give them consent to gain information from you from other agencies. I declined it all. I do not know who these people are or what information they are looking for. A cellular company should not have access to my bank accounts, medical, or personal information.
I think this whole system is creepy and a fraud. Why do they need to know all my personal information? They don’t.
Crystal Braswell says
Thank God for Safelink! No complaints
Lisa SNL Loopner says
ANOTHER SAFELINK EMPLOYEE GIVES A GOOD REVIEW!
Crystal Braswell says
A week to 10 days not including Saturday’s Sundays or holidays!
Georgia says
I have had this phone for 4 months now. The first phone was not accessible with my disabilities. When I called and complained about not being able to use the phone I was told that was the only type they issue for safelink.
I filed a complaint with the FCC for ADA violation so finally got a response The second is only partially accessible because of my eyesight I still cannot see numbers etc for dialing and they currently refuse to replace it with one with voice dialing. I am about to file a second FCC complaint on this issue.
I chose SafeLink due to they state on their website if you opt for fewer minutes you can make international long distance calls to certain countries including UK and Japan. My son was stationed in UK with the military and is currently being transferred to Japan.
So far I have been able to successfully make a total of one phone call with this phone for about 1 minute. Every other attempt I have made uses approximately 5 minutes of time trying to place the call only to say something in nature of the number is not recognized by their system.
I have spent at least 5 hours on the phone with their tech support and customer service trying to get this thing to work and still it does not work. Because of the additional problems with not being able to make phone calls to countries they advertise that I should be able to make phone calls to I will be filing a BBB complaint also for false/misleading advertising.
J.B. says
I just got off the phone from yet another aggravating (one hour) and tedious ( I was grilled repeatedly for the same information spun around and then fed back in several different ways) call to safelink. What horrible business they have when it comes to dealing with their customers. Their automated service makes the process of just getting through to the right person to help a long and complicated one. Then once you finally do get to speak with someone they are like foreign robots that seem to be completely unable to discern or process any simple request you might have without complicating the entire thing with what started out being be a simple and easy request. This is a company that needs some serious reorganization when it comes to their customer service relations. Just try calling and getting through to anyone outside of signing up for new service and you will see. I give this company rating an F! They even ask you for the first zip code from the place you were living when you originally signed up. For some of us that could have been years ago. With the way I move around and travel – who knows or remembers this kind of information especially after several years! Then if you actually purchase a phone of your own that you like to switch their service to they tell you they are going to mail you a new phone. Then after you re-explain that you just bought one that you’d like to use, they say they are going to mail you one anyway. Sure, just keep piling more and more unnecessary debt on to the federal government. More people need to speak up about this and demand better! This is wrong.
Tina says
Just tried to re register a (sarcastic here) Obama phone….all was well with it as long as I was paying or the minutes, but it needed to be re registred….three calls, two to the Phillipines where I could not understand anyone, then I found a FL number got so excited, phoned it, it transferred me to India…..guess there are not any Americans Obama could find to man the phones for his “free” plan so we had to out source the jobs….our great President hard at work for us…CROCK !!!!! He is no for America than China is…………insert a four letter word here then add Obama ……
Eloise deLun says
I suggest you do your homework before you blame someone for your troubles with your FREE phone. This whole system was instituted by Congress under George Bush [Remember him? The LIAR & war criminal who illegally invaded a sovereign nation on a lie claiming they were responsible for 9-11 even though Saddam had no WMD & no Al Quaida until AFTER we invaded. A president who’s 8 yr war cost US taxpayers over 2 Trillion bucks, 10,000+ soldiers’ lives (they only count battle casualties so the ‘official’ number’s lower) & over 1 million Iraqis (mostly women & children). Who said torturing prisoners was fine as long as they weren’t US citizens, started rendition programs so other countries would do our dirty work and destroyed our public schools with his ‘teach to the test’ nonsense all while making formerly decent Americans afraid and intolerant of everyone & everything.]
My son worked counter-terrorism for the USMC b4 & after Bush. Bush started moving troops to the Persian Gulf 11 mos b4 the World Trade Ctr attack. Bush had no problem letting companies use non-US personnel to run this or any gov’t program. I know bigots love to blame Obama for everything wrong in this country but it’s CONGRESS doing zip and selling out the US to the deepest pockets. THEY vote in budgets, spend our tax dollars and waste our money.
So put the blame where it belongs. And while you’re at it, get a GED & learn to spell and use proper English grammar. You complain about others who have to learn a 2nd language to get their job…what’s YOUR excuse Ms. America?
Lisa SNL Loopner says
Wow, do you have your facts all wrong! You stated that the information you spewed was from your “son” correct? Well, I doubt you have a son but if you do he isn’t and never has been in the military because if he had he wouldn’t have said half the things you quote he said especially to his blabber mouth mother. So let’s here where you got all of your funny and completely backwards information from? Watching Court tv? Reading the World Weekly News? Oh wait, you probably can’t tell me because it is classified, right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Please take a moment to read some nonfiction before calling others Ms. America. Did you check YOUR grammar and spelling? Ooops!
Kat says
I can safely say today that SafeLink and Tracfone are BOTH totally useless. My phone service minutes have not automatically updated properly for three straight months. Every month I’ve had to watch for the update and finally CALL to get the time updated AFTER fighting with service reps who claimed the phone had already updated for the month. Had it only been the SafeLink CS saying this I would think they were simple cheats and liars, however this month even Tracfone CS tried the same story “we’re sorry but you have already received your minutes for this month” even though here I am 23 days into the month and still the phone has not updated from last month at all. It was the 18th of November before I finally got fed up and called and went through the same old argument to get my phone updated. Now 23rd December and again, same argument and they refuse to correct the problem, claiming the phone has already been updated for the month. I’m beyond fed up with the “free” service that does not even work properly. Self retrieval of minutes results in “system unavailable – try again later” every month all month, calling in simply results in a drawn out argument where they claim i’ve already received my minutes when I have not. I have enough stress raising four kids, I don’t need shoddy customer service adding another hour long argument to my boiling point.
As many others have said, if you have an alternative USE IT. Do not get involved with this clown outfit, nor with Tracfone itself if you can avoid it. Net 10 is a far better company or even AT&T (as much as I still hate old Ma Bell after so many years). Avoid SafeLink Wireless and Tracfone like the plague unless you are a stress junkie who likes to debate for hours on end with a preprogrammed wall.
BigJon says
I am a double amputee, and a 52 year type 1 diabetic. I don’t drive anymore naturally and my wife has MS, and she can’t drive either. We live with a caretaker and are in the house all day everyday. I’ve had “Safelink” for about 4 years, and am now on my third phone. It is all true about the non-English speaking workforce they employ, and everything bad EVERYONE has said about this outfit is TRUE!! Until another alternative happens, I’ll stay with this rediculous outfit, I usually use about 12 of my 250 minutes anyway. I find it hard to give them a rating of 1.
Sharon says
I have been trying to get a phone for about 2 months..I have faxed in 3 applications and mailed in 2 more andI have yet to rec a phone..dont get me wrong but the reps have accenst with regular names and they are hard to understand and spoken with supervisors and arent much help so I just said forget it..
Kenneth Cutright says
I have had my safetylink phone for about a year. I am grateful for the service and have had no problems with mine. Yes, it is a low-end phone, but people this is a phone and service that is being given to me! Because of this service, I am able to make and receive calls for medical care and such. I am embarrassed to be associated with most of the above responders. They have the attitude of the stereotypical freeloader…wah, wah, wah, I’m entitled, I’m, entitled, I’m entitled. No appreciation for the small blessings.
David says
Kenneth, you just said that you are able to make & receive calls with your phone (oh, & it’s SAFELINK, by the way). The people on here are UNABLE to do so! Therefore, you are NOT associated with these people. YOUR PHONE WORKS! You GOT your small blessing. So get off the site & make some phone calls!
Lisa SNL Loopner says
WE ALL KNOW KENNETH WORKS FOR SAFELINK AND ISN’T A FREE PHONE RECEIVER. COME ON SAFELINK OR I SHOULD SAY SH*TLINK LIKE MY HUSBAND CALLS YOU, WE ARE HAVING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES WE ARE NOT STUPID!
Michael DeHart says
0 Stars After 3 months of attempting to get a client, a disabled military vet, a Safelink phone, I finally gave up. The last straw was that after being told he’d been approved and he should expect his phone within 5-7 days, they sent him a letter instead telling him that his income verification was out of date: It was an April 1, 2011 letter from the VA faxed to Safelink on September 30, 2011, within the 6 month window (even if just barely). This is a poorly administered company; the call center I spoke with (couldn’t get through to an actual company employee) read off of a script, as did his supervisor. I am filing a Better Business Bureau complaint.
Rudy Reynolds says
applied for safe-link phone on august 6,2011,when I checked online it says I was approved and phone is on the way which is suppose to be in 5 to 10 days. Still waiting on phone,what is going on?
Michael DeHart says
See my comment 2 below yours. OUr process began on July 20 and ended without a phone on October 24th.
Cactus Man says
Well I had the pleasure speaking with INDIA.. It only took me 1 hr and 9 minutes to speak with 3 different people that asked me the same question not once not twice but yes 3 times. What is your 1st name…. what is your first name. what is your first name. I gave t to all 3 people 9 times total. I guess this is why Windstream pull out of INDIA and came back to the US- Greatest please in the world… To resume the call center. Most of the time I spent on the phone was listening to them type a book… All I advised is my phone is broken and I need a new one. ( the charger section on the phone came loose and fell out) Well I hope this call center goes away also.. Keep up the good work with “OUTSOURCING” India might be a nice country to visit but not to do work with…
David says
Indeed, Cactus Man. I’m not a bigot, but whenever I place a phone call to ANY company & hear an Indian accent, my heart sinks. So, I either hang up, or make myself a BIG meal, call back & eat while I’m on hold.
Connie says
I just so happen to stop by this page and read some of the disturbing reviews. This has also happened to me. I was able to go through another carrier with the similar program. It’s called Assurance Mobile through Virgin Mobile. I have been with them for about 2 mos now and the customer service is EXCELLENT!!!!! They are consistant with placing the minutes on your phone and the turn around time is exceptional. Try them if all else fails. http://www.assuracewireless.com. I hope this help.
holly says
Are we allowed to switch plans ? According to Safelink in MA , you get 1 of three phones but you have no say, they send it to you and if you can’t see the buttons that’s too bad. If you can’t hear the callers, that’s too bad.
We have one service provider and I have no idea who it is other than it’s called Safelinkwireless. In MA you accept what they give you and spend the rest of the time on your landline learning a foreign language
Gale says
I have been a subscriber with Safelink for only two months. Last month I got my minutes 2 days before the first. This month I haven’t gotten any. I have tried doing the “555” thing and it says to keep your phone turned on to receive your minutes. But I don’t get them. Sometimes when my phone is dark and I hit a button for the display to light up, I get “system is unavailable, please try again later.”
I cannot contact Safelink. When I get a recording saying “Let’s add minutes to your phone” and it progresses after you put in your cell phone number, suddenly you get:
Due to unusually high call volume, your call cannot be answered at this time. Please try again later. I have yet to talk to a real person.
This is very upsetting to me because I am disabled and live on a fixed income. I cannot afford a regular cell phone with a plan and I was so happy I found Safelink. I don’t understand what the heck is going on with this company, I really don’t.
Cookye says
I have had my phone for over a year. I love it. The phone was new, nothing fancy. I like having the peace of mind that I can check on my children and they can reach someone. I give it a 5-stars
John says
Safelink is a free service, and I guess we have to put up with a few inconviences. As the call center for Tracfone/Safelink is located in Bangalore India, you can understand why it is hard to understand them. They are given a short two week training on speaking American before they are put on the phones. Much of their training is done on the job. My recommendation to people who are having a problem with the Safelink call center personnel is to try calling the Tracfone Customer Service number, and tell them your problem with your Safelink phone. I have done this on a number of occassions. A) I don’t get lost in there voice system like in Safelink and B) I get connected to a real human being with 3 minutes and C) because Tracfone and Safelink are on in the same company I can get all my issues addressed and resolved all at once. They will give you the stupid Safelink phone number at the end of your call, I just knod my head and smile. And the next time I have a problem, I call the Tracfone number again….. happy trails my friends.
donald rhodes says
im very satisfied with my phone and safelink service thank you.
Dee says
My phone from safelink was stolen from my mail twice now I can’t get a phone .they should make you sign for a phone when the mail brings it
D says
Reachout wireless did the same. They sent out an upgraded phone that my friend payed for, and then phone was stolen because mailman left phone in lobby with no signature, yet Reachout Co, neither the Post Office will do anything! What good is a tracking number if you don’t have pkg signed for? So Co says, well, Post Office gave us tracking Number so they consider it delivered, but you can send another 40. dollars and we can ship new 1! What ever happened to little cards that mailman leaves if you have pkg that doesn’t fit in box? You don’t lv pkg that has tracking # in the hallway of multi-unit bldg with no one in actual possession of it!!! DUH! Neither post office nor RO Wireless will take responsibility for it! Now friend just lost use of phone and time expired! Just a damn shame!
appleofnyc says
I’ve been with safelink for 2 yrs, and have not had any problems.
Patricia McCarthy says
I’ve been with Safelink for 3 years, my phone has “taken a lickin’, and keeps on tickin” ,no problems with minutes delivered, the only time I had to SPEAK TO ANYONE, was when I activated it. I’m grateful for the phone & the service, and I do qualify! I just recently increased my minutes! TY, TY,TY I’m all set!
S Apple says
I am disabled and received a phone but it will not add minutes automatically each month like they advertise. They asked questions about the range and number of bars which my phone has the highest number of bars. I tried to manually ad minutes by pressing 555 and that never works. All I get is system is unavailable, try again later.
Safelink won’t replace the phone, which is in the warranty. They say that the phone is working properly and that I should call montly and wait on the phone from 20-45 minutes to get a code to enter to get my minutes.
They don’t have any solutions. I talked to managers and all of them were a waste saying they couldn’t or wouldn’t fix the problem.
I think the govt should withdraw the contract and give them to real wireless companies that will have phones that work and provide solutions to problems.
Give them to Sprint, Verizon, or ATT, not crappy companies that screw you over while providing crappy service and horrible support.
John says
I have a Safelink phone as well, and it uses the Sprint wireless network. The real possibilitie is that you could be in a wireless dead spot. To test this – try using a different cell phone. One that might have a different carrier then the regular cell phone provider in your area, if that cell phone works then chances are you are in a dead spot. It could be something as simple as asking a friend to take your phone at the end of the month and see if the minutes would go on at their house. Another test is to try using your Safelink phone in different parts of your community, like the public library or the local market, if it works fine in these locations, then the chances are good that your home is located in a cell phone dead spot, A spot where cell phone tower signals do not overlap. It is becoming rarer and rarer and more towers go up – but that is a possibility. You might have to apply for that “other” lifeline cell phone (Assurance Wireless) – they use a different carrier then Safelink/Tracfone does.
holly says
@ SApple : wonderfully stated. I agree with you on all levels. Perhps it’s a state by state thing. I’m in the city and reception is terrible unless you have a really good phone ($$$) with an even better carrier like Verizon ($$$$) which the safelink program will never offer to low income/disabled (aka sub-citizens) because we are considered a drain on society. it’s humiliating to be begging for everything…..and then being told we should be grateful- rafter all that begging, for something that doesn’t work and no one is there to make it right. As long as the eternally grateful continue to accept substandard care, in the eys of the people giving us stuff, that’s all we need. Hey, it’s better than nothing. Except it’s not, because it gives us false security and false hope. After paying taxes all my life , and loosing everything with the econimic collapse in 2008 – I”m not grateful for is being givn junk and expected to believe it’s a helpful tool. but some people are happy for anything free, they are the freeloaders.
Mary M. Hallsey says
@ holly: I agree with how you stated your reply a 100%, you just said it better than me. A pastor friend told a story about how he received a box of used tea bags from a member in his new congregation because the giver felt “there were a few cups left”. He took the tea bags back to the person and said if there are a few cups left, you use them then. When you’re elderly, homeless, disabled after working for many years, you don’t need to be slapped in the face with comments like “it’s free, so be quiet and accept it”. These people sets are losing so much control as it is, they need “something” that’s good and true, even if it “is” just a phone. When you get to the end of the month and there’s no money, and you need to make a call to whoever, it’s frustrating when the call is dropped or you can’t get an answer out of the “customer” service people.
franices says
I have had my phone for over a year now and have no complaints, and why should I it is free. I wasn’t expecting a blackberry or any other smartphone, just one that I could use in case of emergencies or to call home and check on my children. These services are provided to help you and not to give you luxuries, many of us forget that. If you want a better phone, go out and purchase one, if you cannot stop trying to scam the government for freebies, stop complaining and end your service. I have no complaints and I thank trac phone for giving many the chance to have a link to their families and friends.
tina says
i agree i have a phone i actually pay for with just as many issues, customer service and the phone itself has issues….but for FREE hell i would be grateful to be able to qualify and gain something .. something is better then nothing…..i know someone who has safelink…they never neded to call cust svs they are content and happy with what they are able to get totaly for FREE they dont complain.
holly says
Free is good. If it supplies you with something you need and doesn’t cost you. But what good is a free phone with free minutes if you can’t make nor take calls because the quailty of the phone and the service is so poor. Free food is great unless it’s rotten and inedible. Calls get dropped and I loose 2/3 of my free minutes recalling the dropped calls. tha’s IF they can get the free minutes to you- it’s not free minutes if you need to take a 1/2 day from work off every month to spend hours on the phone explaning the same thing over and over to a tunnel 5000 miles away with a rep who can’t understand you nor you him. I get spammed texts which cost me minutes. You know it’s not a working situation when you call 911 and they can’t hear you nor you them. It’s not better than nothing if it’s nothing. It’s one step better than nothing- I am able to see what time it is and if I don’t move my head, hands or feet while talking on it I may be able to get a sentence thru to someone before the battery dies. On the other hand, if you are PAYING for the same phone with the same service, that’s really sad. If you can afford a phone and are setteling for sub par service and equipment, perhaps you should consider getting another phone and another carrier.
thorn says
the phone isnt the best but ive had it a few months its good enough for in and out calls…im thankful and grateful for the TOTTALY FREE phone and minutes.
Chris says
I understand many of your problems, however I know the other side to it too. SafeLink is a FREE service…..I pay for my telephone service and have just as many of the same problems as you have had with Safelink. I know several people who have had Safelink for over a year and love it, they don’t have a phone otherwise and have any complaints. I have seen the phones myself and they are nice and serve their purpose. I have also heard alot of complaints about Reachout…Infact more….People tell me their phone was mailed to them broken or they don’t recieve as many minutes as they were told they would get etc.
Social Worker says
YOUR COSTUMER SERVICE IS RIDICULOUS. IT’S ALMOST IMPOSIBLE TO REACH A LIFE COSTUMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. I ALREADY SPENT 45 MINUTES NAVIGATING WITH YOUR ANSWER MANCHING AND I STILL CAN’T SPEAK WITH AN OPERATOR. I COULD IMAGING A SENIOR TRYING TO SOLVE THEIR ISSUES WITH YOU. THEY SIMPLY CAN’T. ITS A SHAME THAT THIS SERVICES IS STRUCTURED FOR SENIORS AND YOU HAVE MADE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO REACH OUT TO YOU.
I RATE YOU: MINUS ZERO
Claudia Mabel Smyth says
If u are a social worker- please fix YOUR atrocious grammar and spelling errors. What state pays you to look like an idiot? I was just wondering if they had any job openings since social security thinks I am able to work……
Sherry says
I tried to apply yesterday, but because I live in a town with no mail delivery I don’t qualify. Not only that, but the representative I talked to insisted that the FCC wouln’t allow them to give service to anyone without residential mail delivery. Assurance says they’ve never heard of that rule, but unfortunately Assurance is not available in Arizona. After reading these reviews maybe it’s just as well. I can’t wait for Assurance to come to Arizona!
Tracie says
Safelink Stinks!! THe phone is crap! I can’t even hear on it, even though I turned it up to the maximum volume. I called to get help on their 800 number and I also had trouble with the custormer service rep. He couldn’t understand english for crap. I want to switch to another company ASAP. THey’ve illegally extended my contract without my permission. THey deserve to lose their governement contract. GIve the money to a more deserving company.
ALso, when I told a friend that I coulnd’t hear anything on my cheap phone, they gave me an old tracfone that they had. Still the company wouldn’t let me switch the service to that phone or any other. Even if I bought one from them. THey insist on people using their garbage phones. They give me 250 minutes a month. I haven’ t used more than 50 because I can only hear people if I’m at home with total silence WITH the volume maxed out and them talking loudly. IF I’m outside or on the bus or there’s any noise……..forget it!!!
DON”T USE SAFELINK> Try a different service . ANY other service has got to be better than this one.
John says
I had no problem getting over 400 minutes from my two tracfones and my safelink phone consolidated into one phone. When you are trying to get these things acocmplished you are better off calling the Tracfone customer service number instead of the Safelink customer service number. They are both one in the same company. You will get a human being faster on the Tracfone number then the Safelink number. And if you do chose to purchase a Tracfone, you can get all your Safelink minutes transferred to that new phone. I know I have done it.. good luck.
megan says
Thanks for the tip John, I contacted Tracfone & now I can use my phone after being unable to make or recieve calls for the last few days
holly says
I agree Tracie. I’ve been a Safelink free customer for 2 years (sadly, my business has all but collapsed and im really struggling. The phones they give us *are* junk reguardless of what the man and his cousins think. they are so small I keep loosing mine, I can’t see the numbers and can’t hear the other party and they cannot hear me. If I move my head the call gets dropped. If I walk around the call gets dropped, I sould like i’m under water to others and I can’t hear them well. I did buy my own phone after year and it’s not much better !I can’t make calls , I can’t take calls and if I do either, the battery dies. I loose minutes falore if I try to text vs. call and driving all day I cannot text obviously. Thre custpomer servicde reps (here it’s a combo of Safelink and Tracfone inexplicably linked) only read script, they can’t answer anything correctly and no one speaks a language I’m familiar with.
It took over 1 year to get my amassed free minutes assigned to mny phone. Now the batter is shot and the reps Iv’e emailed to are overly polite – they keep aplogizing for a cheap 2 year old battery dying. It happens. Unfortunately, this is my only option for cell “service” as I clearly am unable to afford a monthly plan and certinly not a plan that has more than 10 minutes for $10. You get what you pay for – nothing= nothing.
Mary M. Hallsey says
Thank you Tracie, and all the other people who have responded. I was looking in to getting a Safelink phone, cause I am disabled and my money is very tight. After hearing all your explanations, I am going to try a different service. My sister gave me the pamphlet, thinking it would be a good thing for me. She didn’t read the reviews.
sue Lettieri says
i am handicapped and meet all the requirements for a cell phone. i was issued a phone by Safelink, the phone they sent had a phone number that was already issued to someone else. i have been calling them for months and they can’t seem to fix it. i keep getting phone calls for someone named Adam who has collectio agencies after him they areth totally irresponsible. in the past 2 days i have sat on the phone for 2-1/2 hrs and its still not fixed. it would really be nice if the service people had a decent command of the English language. this company is in Singapore and no one is able to understand English. SafeLink SUCKS
Smoker says
Safelink is the worst of anything ever! Every month they screw up giving you your minutes and when you call the machines hang up on you after halfway through the process or else you get transferred to someone who can barely speak or understand English. I cannot find a human phone number for Safelink and they do not respond to emails. Hopefully the govt. will replace them with an a more deserving outfit. They are a waste of taxpayer money!!!
Linda says
AMEN!!!I have been with safelink for several years and have been very pleased with them,UNTIL around January 2012.I had joined the roll over minute plan and had saved ALOT of min.s up.One day I realized that about 600 minutes were just gone!At first I called and was told that it may have been because my phone wasn’t getting the monthly minutes added,for what reason I do not know.Then,just about every month,I noticed that my phone wasn’t recieving it’s minutes and I had to put in some “PROMO CODE” to get them.my phone would say”system unavailable,please try later!”Later never worked either.Believe it or not when I’d punch in the numbers,a few minutes later,THEN,I found that,close to the end of the month,all of a sudden,I would just “LOOSE” minutes!I had to had to call and get that fixed as well!They never would explain very well why this was happening.Finally,while waiting on my minutes to add on this month,I observed that I had somewhere around 120 minutes,but a couple days later,I only had 60 minutes left,even though I hadn’t used them!!!ONCE AGAIN I had to call.THIS TIME,get this!They now, not only owed me my 125 normal minutes,but ALSO the 60 minutes that they just majically made disappear again.Guess what they told me??They said that they could only give me my regular min.’s and not the 60 others.They also said that they didnt have any record of me haveing this problem before,so I would have to let them know if this happened again and then they would send me another phone.I asked them why I had to wait for them to be taken off again before they replaced my phone(seeing as how they were now hearing from me on at least one occasion a month)They proceeded to tell me that they couldn’t help me until it happened again!WOW!!!REALLY??
Now you tell me,but aren’t they getting paid by the U.S. Government for those minutes?So my mind finally put two and two together, and I realize, THEY ARE GETTING PAID FOR MY MINUTES THAT THEY ARE GIVEING,AND THEN OH SO CONVIENIANTLY LOOSEING AND “CLAIM” THEY CANNOT GIVE THEM BACK!!!
Needless to say,I give up!For 6 months,EVERY MONTH I have had nothing but trouble from this company!Whats more,I am NEVER able to speak with someone who speaks english clearly!UMMMM I dont expect to always hear only well spoken English,but for real,NEVER have I spoken to someone who can from this company.
Look,if it swims like a duck,quacks like a duck,waddles like a duck….it’s probly a duck.Yet another huge amount of US dollars,going into thin air.Assurance wireless,here I come!They can’t do much worse than Safelink did.>:(
Wolven says
I am homeless in Olympia, WA awaiting judgement for an SSI Federal Disability claim, but currently on a program called G.A.X. (the state disability aid program). When I first called in it was because the website enrollment process wouldn’t accept my address. It is a “PMB” address or “Personal Mail Box”. So I called customer service and was instructed by the rep to enter a physical address. I explained to him that I am homeless and don’t have one so he suggested I use a close friend’s or relative’s. I gave him a physical address to my mother, and was approved immediately.
It’s been about a week now and I decided to call in and try and get a tracking number. The entire length of the call was 2 hours, 4 minutes and 37 seconds, and here’s why;
I requested the tracking number and the operator (while verifying info) was asking me questions, one of them being “Are you the head of the household?” I answered honestly, no … it’s my mother’s home but I was prompted by one of your cs reps to use her address because I don’t have an address to the tent that I sleep in. That was a BIG mistake!!
Suddenly the call turned from an innocent inquiry into my tracking number into a shakedown about the FCC’s right to charge me with perjury. I went round and round with the towlhead cs, but never resolved shit. I escalated to a supervisor who could also not provide me with a tracking number, but had no problem threatening me with perjury some more. I explained over and over AND OVER that never ONCE did I LIE to get the service, that I am merely HOMELESS without a line to stay in touch with family and doctors, and that her OWN [censored]ING REP suggested I use the physical address of my mother in order to seek approval.
Overall opinion of this company … pathetic. These people are obviously another company’s method of outsourcing to people without any concern for their customer’s welfare. Not once did I feel that either of the last 2 people I spoke with showed any non-scripted compassion for my situation. They were like civil vultures just looking for any excuse to keep me off their system.
The first guy I dealt with was not only TOTALLY professional, but he was problem solving, and compassionate for my situation. Unfortunately, I had no idea he might have begun the process of convicting me with perjury. *shrugs*
[censored] this company!!
David says
I HATE TO SAY IT, I HATE TO SAY IT! I am a 48 year old disabled man. I am also Catholic & very spiritual in my beliefs. Yet, although it is a commandment I’m advising we break, the government has made it almost IMPOSSIBLE to get any of the proper programs to which we (especially those of us who have been taxpayers all of our lives) are entitled. In order to get them & in YOUR unusual case in particular-the only thing you CAN do, is LIE! Consider it a white lie, confess it if you’re Catholic, but do what you MUST to survive in THIS world-which I believe is slowly coming to an end. God’s World would never permit it. Much sympathy & concern. David
Eloise deLun says
To all reading this who’ve been unable to get their rightful Soc Security disability benefits there’s a free website that proved invaluable in getting my claim settled: DisabilityDigest.com. Despite the fact I have MS & was unable to walk, perform activities of daily living (washing, dressing, etc.) talk clearly or drive Soc. Security kept denying my claim. I was dying by slow degrees : it was only through the grace of G-d I was referred to the right doc in time to save my life. 48 hours after he started me on replacement cortisol – less than 5 days after my exam in his office I was able to walk with a cane, speak in clear sentences & most of my other symptoms were under control. [Turned out the massive steroids the other doc’s had used to ‘help’ my MS not only made me worse, they caused a rare heart disease, a pituitary disorder, & a potentially fatal disease called Secondary Adrenal Disorder which is permanent.] Add to that a back injury caused when a chair flipped out & I hit concrete, herniating multiple disks & you’d think Soc Security would approve me on the spot. No way.
Now my problem was getting my Social Security claim approved. I’d fought the system since ‘05 w/o success til DD not only helped me w/free seminars they hooked me up at NO cost w/legit attorneys from Boston, MA .(I live in Cleveland) These lawyers charged not a penny more than the set Federal amount of $3800 to settle my claim. This included representing me in hearings & court.
I’d already discovered most attorneys who work SSI claims have ways of getting around those set federal legal fees. They add extra costs for all sorts of stuff that’ve nothing to do w/one’s case. They all looked for things that’d nothing to do w/my claim but for which they could charge additional fees to ‘verify’ some useless information. I’d already been warned by the above website to avoid these scam artists.
Less than a year later the new attorneys Disability Digest hooked me up with had navigated the government maze and we were sitting in front of a SS hearing judge. Half an hour later I was awarded full back pay on my Social Security disability claim. I was given my SSI monthly benefits & best of all, Medicare to cover my doctor’s bills.
So don’t despair. There IS legitimate FREE help out there for those seeking their rightful Social Security benefits.
I am NOT an employee of the website, nor am I compensated in any way: even the site’s owner does this out of simple human kindness. I just know how frustrating it gets fighting the system. I know how hard life can be when all you have to eat is dishrag soup or other’s charity because you’ve exhausted your life savings & can’t work or get help after working steady for 40 yrs. I know all about crooked attorneys whose only purpose is cheating the helpless. How can I not share what may be the solution to your problems?
Good luck to all of you who are in the same hell-hole I was. I’m praying for you.
Maralee K. says
Dear Eloise,
THANK YOU. darlin’! I contacted that disability website & was blown away by the fact everything u wrote was true: I got MORE help in 1 visit there than from my ‘disability lawyer’ in 2 yrs! I found my ‘helpful’ attorney’d made lots of errors & yeah, that SOB was planning to sock me 4 charges til I found out he wasn’t allowed 2. He QUIT my case when I said he’d get only the gov’t fee & I wasn’t paying 1 dime more!!! The site’s already given me hope I’ll get my benefits approved once they hook me up with decent legal beagles. Oh, & I totally love the dishrag soup comment…it’s so true! I’ll keep u posted on my progress.God bless u 4 sharing the site. Hope ur feeling ok.
Now can u – or anybody – tell me which free phone’s better? I’m thinking Safelink’s better due 2 having free texting but on all of them comments seem to show folks aren’t happy.
Mary M. Hallsey says
Wolven, the only time it’s “perjury” is in a court of law. For pete’s sake, all your getting is a phone, not a key to Fort Knox! I’m sorry you are homeless, but I totally understand you using your mother’s address for mail. My family members have done it a lot over the years when they were between homes, homeless, or on the road. Where ever I am I consider myself “head of household”, kind of like I’m renting a room. You could say you are renting a portion of your mom’s mailbox. 🙂 I would say that this company went way way way beyond their jurisdiction. Yes, it’s a government phone, but bullying people by saying they are going to face perjury charges when you’ve already stated you are homeless or having issues is way beyond crass. I agree that in your situation you would definitely rate a phone to keep in touch like you said. So sorry you were faced with their garbage.
Eduardo says
I seen a lot of crap talk about safelink on sights, but I don’t had no problems. And some of my cusins don’t speak english so good and safelink speaks Spanish to. I gave it 5 star because it been helping my family alot.
Claudia Mabel Smith says
Hi 🙂
I really try to keep an open mind when reading reviews for products and/or companies. I usually will read reviews written recently along with ones that were submitted at least 12 months ago, if possible, while also reading the best and the worst reviews written by consumers. Yes, it does take up a lot of my time. I search the internet for reviews/articles written by people/businesses who aren’t affiliated with the product to see how they rate it after testing/using product. Again, yes it is very time consuming. By doing these few steps I feel that I am capable of making an informed decision about a product.
Well I have done this and I would NOT and will NOT choose Safelink Wireless for my parents, mother-in-law, family or even myself.
I also think that Eduardo, and everyone else who gave them a good rating, is an employee of Safelink. The complaints and poor reviews all focus generally on the same issues and every few poor reviews you have a great review but it doesn’t dispute any of the issues that the previous consumers talk about.
We may not have a lot of money at this moment but that doesnt mean tomorrow we wont be back on our feet paying our own way, this is America and we do NOT have to use your inferior products or deal with a company who chooses to have a help center half way around the world.
Bert says
My 76 year old mother tried and tried to for many months to get her Safelink Phone. She could barely understand the customer service rep with their poor English. After too many problems to get into here, I finally told her to forget it and I bought her a prepaid phone. I have to rate Safelink Wireless with one star.
Rena says
you are so right.. those people are not wrapped tight if you know what i mean! They are saying my mothers adderess is NOT a address! Really? Then how does she live there! Im sure they understood me today when i said a few NOT SO NICE words!
mary says
OMG thats what they told me also…..I live in an apartmet complex with over 100 apt’s and they told me my apt # didnt exist…but my neighbors on both sides of me were on there computer….go figure….I had to apply on the computer in order to get my phone.
Sharon Mills says
I have tried and tried to get a human voice at Safelink and the automated answering machine keeps sending me to a another number.What poor customer service.I don’t see how anyone gets a phone.I rate you 0-1 .
Paulette says
I have been trying since Jan. 4, 2012 to get a phone, it is impossible. I have called and only been able to get a recording, then I found a number where I got a person, but that went no where. I have sent emails and letters through the postal system, and for over a month have had nothing but frustration. Safelink is horrible as is their affiliate Tracphone.