Boingo Wireless
-
stars
"Boingo is a scammer" on by mgulotta
Pros: None (They have Wifi, but scam you into using it)
Cons: Connection Software is a Scam
Summary: On June 18, 2008 I needed to connect to the internet in Memphis International Airport and used the airport WIFI through Boingo Wireless. Boingo requires (or makes you believe that you are required) to download "connection software" onto your computer to use their service. Later in Budapest, Hungary (June 28th) while at the hotel (and playing around with their software) it connected to the internet with no confirmation screen and charged my credit card. The Boingo software in general does not give you any sort of information on price or let you know you will be charged based on clicking one button. Boingo is taking advantage of the fact that travelers need to quickly connect to the internet, they force you or trick you into downloading this software, and then taking advantage of people's lack of understanding of how this software actually works. At the very least they should be required to inform the customer that they will be charged separately for the transaction by clicking on a certain button and provide a confirmation screen. By not providing this confirmation screen people are 'accidentally' connecting to the internet at other hotspots. I informed Boingo customer service of this situation and they acknowledged that this happens all the time, but would not refund my money. It was clear from this encounter that they expect this situation, have dealt with it on many occasions, and most likely derive a significant amount of their revenue from this scam. I would recommend anyone having this problem report Boingo to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center, the Better Business Bureau, and the Consumer Protection Agency. This is happening to a lot of people and they know about it. Also contact your credit card company and contest the charges.
Updated
Boingo requires (or makes you believe that you are required) to download "connection software" onto your computer to use their service. Later while at the hotel (and playing around with their software) it connected to the internet with no confirmation screen and charged my credit card. The Boingo software in general does not give you any sort of information on price or let you know you will be charged based on clicking one button. Boingo is taking advantage of the fact that travelers need to quickly connect to the internet, they force you or trick you into downloading this software, and then take advantage of people's lack of understanding of how this software actually works. At the very least they should be required to inform the customer that they will be charged separately for the transaction by clicking on a certain button and provide a confirmation screen. By not providing this confirmation screen people are 'accidentally' connecting to the internet at other hotspots. I informed Boingo customer service of this situation and they acknowledged that this happens all the time, but would not refund my money. It was clear from this encounter that they expect this situation, have dealt with it on many occasions, and most likely derive a significant amount of their revenue from this scam.
- 1 reply to this review
-
I had the same thing happen to me. Worst ever. It just makes angry that there are business that operate in this way.
Write a Review
