I click “More Information” and it has a list of places where she’s lived over the years. Perfect. So before I go all into paying for her information I put my information in to see how accurate it was on the cities I’ve lived in over the past 15 years and it wasn’t too far off.
It shows that her phone number and address are available for $1.95 and then various information can be found for anywhere between $24.95 and $69.95. I figure I just need her phone number and if she’s a felon or anything I’m sure she’ll tell me on the phone.
So I begin the process and it says that my information will only be shown once BUT I can pay an additional $0.95 and it will be sent to my email. Now, I’ve been upsold. Fine.
Then I get my information and it has her name, her address and then for the phone number it says: 401. That is the area code for ALL of Rhode Island including cell phones, faxes, etc. I feel like I was duped.
So I sent this letter:
I paid for this search so that I could get Nicole’s phonenumber. On the original search there was a green check mark indicating that both her address and her phone number were available. After I paid for the search I get a phone number of 401… like every other Rhode Islander! I know it’s only $3 but if you scam enough people I guess it makes it worth it. I will never recommend this service or use it again. What would have happened if I paid $60 for the large report and it was filledwith Xs?
Unkind and unprofessional.
I’m angry and I think I just sent a letter to an area of the interwebs that no one will ever see. Then I get this reply:
Dear US Search Customer,
Thank you for your e-mail; we appreciate your inquiry and value your
concerns.
There are a number of reasons why telephone numbers may not be retrieved. The number may be unpublished, or it may be listed in another person’s name, such as a spouse, roommate or homeowner. We encourage you to send a letter to the addresses provided to establish contact with the person you are seeking.
Should you have any further questions, please contact our customer service center via e-mail (simply reply to this message).
Sincerely,
Annika K
Customer Service
US Search
A First Advantage Company
“The Strength behind your Decisions”
http://www.ussearch.com
The strength behind my decisions… MY ASS! I then offer this reply:
How nice of you to offer a reason as to WHY a number may not be available, however, the problem is that you purported that it was available and therein lies the problem. If the number is not available then don’t DISPLAY THAT THE PHONE NUMBER IS AVAILABLE. THAT WOULD BE FALSE ADVERTISING AND YOU DON’T SEEM TO GET THAT. SCAM. YOU KNOW IT.
Yep, Mama is getting mad. They then send this:
Dear Valued US Search Customer,
Thank you for your e-mail; we appreciate your inquiry and value your
concerns.
Please be informed that as per the product you have chosen that is One Time people Search report which include the preliminary information
like completed address and full reported name. If you want more detail about the subject like current address and telephone number then you
have to order a comprehensive search which includes all and most of the information about the subject.
Should you have any further questions, please contact our customer service center via e-mail (simply reply to this message).
Sincerely,
Patricia K
WHAT???? I then sent this:
Okay, so I pay for a phone number that I can’t get that you SAID was available. Now you think I should UPGRADE and pay MORE for a phone number that doesn’t exist and you can’t see why I’m upset and why you and your company is a scam. Interesting. No worries. The Better Business Bureau will handle it from here.
I will not spend another dime on your faulty systems and horrible customer service and if I discover that this site was just a ploy to get my credit card number you will be in a huge amount of legal trouble.
What you did was wrong no matter how you try to sugar coat it. WRONG. You advertised for something that didn’t exist and led me to PAY for the information that wasn’t there.
If the number is incomplete or not published don’t PUT LARGE GREEN “THIS ITEM IS AVAILABLE” CHECKMARKS WHERE IT SAYS PHONE.
But you haven’t understood that my last 2 emails so I don’t think you will get it from this one either. It’s probably automated anyway. US Search is a scam.
I was boiling HOT!! Then came this:
Dear Valued US Search Customer,
Thank you for your e-mail; we appreciate your inquiry and value your concerns.
We will be crediting <$2.90> to your credit card. This credit will be reflected on your statement within the next two billing cycles. You may wish to contact your credit card company within 7-10 business days to verify that your refund has been posted to your account.
Please accept our apology for any inconvenience that may have been caused.
Should you have any further questions, please contact our customer service center via e-mail (simply reply to this message).
Sincerely,
Patricia K
This happened on a Saturday and my refund was back in my account on Monday morning.
About the Author
A little quirky, a little fun, a little serious, and very loud! I'm the voice behind the radio broadcast and writer behind this blog. I'm always on the lookout for something new, innovative, creative, fun, or just pisses me off... GAME ON! 
