California has more residents than any other state. Far more. Unfortunately, the state also seems to have far more than its fair share of bumbling, incompetent bureaucrats. And even more unfortunately, more than just a few of them appear to be working in the state’s free government cell phone program.
Here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net, we’ve supported the Lifeline Assistance program since its very earliest days. California was one of the last states to approve free government cell phones for its neediest residents, but the state seemed to be making amends for its tardy approval by giving phone companies additional state subsidies if they offered plans with unlimited voice minutes and unlimited texts rather than the 250 minute plans available in most other states.
The state even ramped up its own Lifeline website in an effort to educate low-income Americans about the benefits to which they were entitled.
Enter the bureaucrats
Murphy’s Law states that “If it can go wrong, it will go wrong.” If there were such a thing, the California Lifeline Bureaucrats’ Law would state, “The simpler a program, the greater the likelihood that we’ll screw it up.”
Seriously, California, your Lifeline website (which is so bad that we will not link to it) is a mess. Not only is it poorly designed and filled with information and programs that have nothing to do with free government cell phones, but that information is riddled with inaccuracies and presented in an incomprehensible format.
In other words, it’s a website only a bureaucrat could love.
Let’s get specific
Please allow us to be of service, California. Here are some things found on your Lifeline website that need to be corrected immediately:
Parent companies are listed instead of actual free government cell phone providers. What’s up with that, California? For example, the website lists Virgin Wireless. In the real world, Virgin doesn’t offer free government cell phones, but its Assurance Wireless subsidiary does. In fact, if you Google “Virgin Wireless Lifeline” you’ll get links only to Assurance.
The website makes the same mistake over and over again. It lists I-Wireless instead of its Access Wireless subsidiary. It lists Boomerang instead of enTouch, Air Voice instead of FeelSafe, Telrite instead of Life Wireless, and AmeriMex instead of SafetyNet
Even worse, it lists Nexus instead of ReachOut Wireless when, as we previously reported, that company is retrenching and is no longer accepting any new Lifeline Assistance customers.
In the case of Global Connection of America, the California Lifeline site lists free plans that aren’t even listed on the Global Connection website. As far as we can tell, this company only offers discount cell phone plans, not free plans.
Strange organization
When we say strange organization, you may think we’re referring to the California Lifeline bureaucracy. While that may well be true, we’re actually referring to the way information is presented on its website.
For example, consider the page that lists service providers. In addition to listing the parent companies instead of the correct subsidiaries that actually offer Lifeline service, we are unable to fathom the format in which they are listed.
Is it alphabetical? No.
Is it in order of fewest free minutes and texts to most? No.
So while we don’t understand the format, we can tell you that it appears to be a haphazard list in no particular order and of questionable value.
We could go on, but we won’t
The problems listed above are just the beginning of the problems with California’s Lifeline website. We could go on, but there’s no reason to beat a dead horse and even less reason to question a deaf bureaucrat.
Lifeline Assistance is a tremendous program that has helped millions of financially-struggling Americans improve their lives. If the state of California actually intends to provide its people with the kind of information the need, they should begin by re-doing its Lifeline website so that the information is presented quickly, meaningfully, and most of all, accurately.
if you can’t do that, shut down the website and save some money for the beleaguered taxpayers of the state.
Lance Cleaver says
38 ROW FCC OMD Ops #566775
CONSUMER CLASS COMPLAINT
Lance ****** 18 Oct ’15
1776 ****** Dr.
******, Ca. *****
831.905.3411 batcom@aol.com
Nexux Communications, Inc. dba Reach Out Wireless
P.O. Box 247168, Columbus, Ohio 43224
877.777.1914 https://www.reachoutmobile.com/
Dear Staff:
Plan Eligible Consumer has, again discussed ROW’s Wrongful Disconnection and ROW has ANSWERED.
Consumer Contact with Reach Out Wireless Staff:
1)State that “ROW Sales Staff (WRONGFULLY) Disconnected Consumer’s Service on 28 April ’14.”
2)State that the 28 April ’14 (FRAUDULENT) “New Software Up Grade did not require Customer Purchase of New Equipment”.
3)State that the 28 April ’14 (FRAUDULENT) “New Software Up Grade did not require New Software Minutes Purchase, that all Prior, Paid, Positive Balances of Minutes should have been applied to Customer’s Accounts.”
4)State that “Received Payment for Equipment and Shipped same to this Consumer.” When asked for the Tracking Number, the Consumer’s Signature and the Identifying (MEID) and Serial Number(s) of the Phone, ROW staff stated that they “… had no such record.”
5)State that ROW Administrative Staff “Attempted to contact Consumer on his (Disconnected) cell phone but were unable to do so.”
6)State that “Consumer advised ROW that He did not want ROW Service or Equipment.”
7)State that ROW is “Unable to Release Consumer’s Cell Phone Number.”
8)State that ROW does not want to do further business with Plan Eligible Consumer.
There is absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that this Consumer has been and remains Plan Eligible, that his cell phone service 831.905.3411 was Wrongfully Disconnected and remains so to this date, that ROW did not, at any time conduct any “Software Upgrade that Required Consumers to Purchase New Equipment or New Plan Minutes and that ROW Failed and Refused to apply Consumer’s Prior Paid Plan Minutes.
This is Willful and Deliberate FRAUD specifically crafted to the Benefit of the Wrongdoers and to the detriment of this Plan Eligible Consumer.
The FCC has done nothing to restore Consumer’s Equipment or his service.
The FCC has been repeatedly provided details of ROW FRAUD beginning in June ’14, letters have been written, but Consumer’s Plan Eligible goods and service remain Wrongfully Disconnected.
When asked if the FCC is has Overlying Authority over ROW’s Wrongdoing, there is no answer, no solution, no acknowledgement of Wrongful Disconnect or any Administrative Action by the FCC to Restore Plan Eligible Consumer’s Cell Phone Service. There is no re-direct to the Judicial Agency that would prosecute ROW for their ongoing FRAUD.
There is a willful and deliberate effort to keep Plan Eligible Consumer from publically testifying while Nexus dba ROW petitions the FCC for yet more operating authority. Why is that?
The real question is, does the FCC have any Accountability, Transparence, Resolve or any Authority over the more than ample evidence and blatant admission of wrongdoing on the part of ROW? Does the FCC have a duty to ensure that Plan Eligible Consumer’s Cell phone Service is restored, that he is provided equipment, the Service Plan 250 minutes for each month and will there be any Investigation and any Prosecution of ROW’s FRAUD by the Judicial System?
Clearly this Plan Eligible Consumer is a Victim and Clearly ROW took Federal Plan Money as well as Consumer’s money and continues to Fail and to Refuse to provide Goods and Services due Consumer under Authority granted by the Federal Contractual Terms and Conditions.
Plan Eligible Consumer has repeatedly petitioned the FCC for Action and for their Duty as well as for his Case File by FOIA but, sadly, to date, despite repeated promises, he has received nothing.
If the FCC allows ROW to commit Consumer FRAUD, they will be sending the message that the FCC will not only Tolerate this RFRAUDULENT Behavior but that they Condone it.
Now is the time to Act.
Please Communicate with me.
I really need my phone for medical and other important reasons.
……………………………………………………………o0o…………………………………………………………
It’s been a year and a half since this FRAUD, all w/o any answer or any resolution.
These Defendants have received Federal money to provide Consumer goods and services but, instead have defrauded Plaintiff while they testify before the Commission for yet more Operating Authority.
What is the Assigned Consumer Complaint File number?
By FOIA, how may we receive Copy of Plaintiff’s file?
Who has authority over the above named Defendants dba ReachOutWireless and their wrongdoing.
What measures and progress, on behalf of this Consumer, has the FCC made and what is the Status of Restitution?
Who’s on First?
HISTORY
Plaintiff has received no notice or warning of any impending action, condition or any time frame to correct that condition in lieu of Consumer disconnection. ROW has provided no Consumer refund for funds provided ROW for equipment and services promised, but never provided.
Upon contact, no one responded either by phone, email or by any other means until the following day when Plaintiff learned that a “SOFTWARE UPDATE” had occurred, that his ROW provided phone was mysteriously and without any explanation NOW DESCRIBED AS “INCOMPATIBLE” and that he now needed to buy a “NEW” phone and “NEW” minutes and that no credit for Plaintiff’s funds previously provided ROW “…could be found or applied”, all to ROW’s benefit and to the detriment of each affected, Consumer Class Plaintiff.
ROW sent each Consumer Class Member the very clear message that this is who they are and how they do business.
When Software Companies write new Operating System Code (OS), too often they incestuously collude and conspire with Hardware Companies not to provide necessary New Code for Consumer’s older printers and other fully functional hardware, forcing them to buy new. This is certainly not an ecologically green footprint and is spiritually bankrupt behavior. While, in this instance, there is no legal contractual relationship for new design, the net business effect is that the Public feels that there is duty to do so, whether expressed or implied.
Translation: There is absolutely nothing wrong with Plaintiff’s existing Motorola Phone nor does ROW’s “NEW SOFTWARE” => “Require a New Phone Purchase. only from ROW.”
This is BLATANT FRAUD!
As everyone already knows, this Anti-Trust behavior is not new, via the Wagner, Sherman and by many other more recent Acts.
Living proximal to the Silicon Valley are 10,000 Engineers and Techs who could perform ROW’s simple, seamless, midnight update w/o precipitating Consumer Chaos under the very thin vail of ROW Profiteering.
This Consumer Class Plaintiff believes that first by ROW’s Conspiracy of Design, then by ROW’s Implementation of Fraudulent “UPGRADE” Environment of Consumer Wrongful Disconnect, all intended to cause by Fraudulent Consumer Chaos, Fear and Pressure to Coercing Consumers to buy yet more phones and services all the while disallowing due Consumer Credit.
This behavior is not negligence, error or omission. It is by Design.
This marketing by design is clearly wrongful behavior that is both willful and deliberate which clearly smacks of Bait and Switch FRAUD, all to the benefit of NEXUS and to the detriment of each affected Consumer Class Plaintiff.
This blatantly ignores the fundamental spirit in which the GovLifeline.com was intended, then created and by which this Public Benefit should be administered with accountability, transparency and fiduciary duty.
May I please ask, who are the administrators of this Government Program and what is their contact information? What is the case history of conception and creation with public funding to that means and who helped write the bill to cause it’s fruition?
If ROW is not admonished, sanctioned and compelled to respond with complete Public accountability, transparency and fiduciary duty, then the Overlying Watchdog Agencies will be sending the message to Consumers that not only will they tolerate this wrongful behavior but that they also condone it.
Who will speak for Consumer Class damages from ROW wrongful behavior?
What should the Consumer do until another system is in place?
This Consumer Class Plaintiff believes that most people, given the opportunity to do so, can and will do the right thing.
Are we right on this one?
Kindly advise me, now.
Any help, comments or re-direct will be greatly appreciated.
It’s about time being of the essence…
Please…
Respectfully,
Lance ******
…o0o…
I would Love to hear from you about this one!
Might you have any thoughts or re-direct to someone with teeth such as an Overlying Watchdog Agency having Authority over ReachOutWireless…???
Please…
maria vázquez says
Buenos diaas me interesa un celular por favor enviar a la dirección. Hc02 box 4859 Guayama pr 00784
Eugenio says
VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU Look into the fact that the state of California does not have a “Port Freeze” for the brands that work the Lifeline Program.
What does this mean? It gives the applicant-user the ability to get a phone free phone and service and immediately after, if they see a better phone or plan with another lifeline provider they can cancel and switch over with no waiting time or “Port-Freeze” as it’s known in the industry.
This is causing millions in looses for the California Lifeline Providers that offer this service because they gave that customer a phone, a commissions must be paid to the distribution channel, plus all the other expenses they incur to that product, etc.
Since the customer did not stay connected with them, they cannot invoice the State or Federal Government to get a compensation payment.
All other states use a minimum “Port Freeze” of at least 60 to 90 days, meaning the customer cannot swap out there service for at least that period of time. This will give the LL Providers a chance to minimize their risk.
All these companies have many employees and agents that work and have income due to this service and distribution. They should also be protected as they produce jobs and taxes.
lscott says
BAH HAHAHAHA!! Calif. is ran by wanna be empty headed movie stars. Can’t expect anymore from a bobble head.