SwitchboardFREE VoIP Phone Systems
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Hidden Fees and Unethical Practices
I initially signed up for Switchboard Free’s virtual phone number service, which was advertised at £5 plus VAT (totalling £6). My intention was simple: to obtain a straightforward virtual number for personal use. However, after using the service briefly, I quickly found the features clunky and not user-friendly. More troubling, though, was their aggressive data harvesting, including attempts to collect location data, which raised serious privacy concerns. Due to these red flags, I requested to cancel the service. Fast forward a month, and I was shocked to discover that Switchboard Free had taken £23.95 from my account for a renewal of the service. Even more infuriating, they had automatically added a call recording feature—something I never requested or consented to. This unauthorized charge feels both deceptive and unethical. When I reached out to their support to request a refund, they flatly refused, which is completely unacceptable. I’m now in the process of disputing the charge through my bank and also engaging with Trading Standards to highlight these questionable practices. My advice: think very carefully before engaging with this company. Their pricing transparency is poor, their features are subpar, and their customer service is unhelpful. It’s simply not worth the hassle.