Type Incorporated Products Voice over IP Customer service 00 1 917-779-9999 Parent organization Primus Telecom | Industry Telecommunications Website www.lingo.com Founded 2004 | |
 | ||
Headquarters McLean, Virginia, United States | ||
Lingo is a VoIP (Voice over IP) provider in the United States. It offers local and long distance calls anywhere in the U.S., to Canada, and to Western Europe, plus over 25 calling features. Lingo has been the subject of consumer complaints and negative reviews reporting refusal to honor refunds and deteriorating quality.
Lingo has also been very commonly accused of continuing to charge former customers for accounts that have been cancelled.
Lingo markets prepaid annual calling where customers pay for a whole year in advance, but the bankruptcy of parent Primus Telecom may raise questions about the company's ability to provide a whole year of service. The Better Business Bureau grades Primus a "D+" with no accreditation; the D+ rating is among the lowest possible, and is based on the number of "unresolved" complaints against the company, and the company's failure even to respond to those complaints.
Controversial policy change
On October 17, 2008, Lingo notified its existing customers that it would charge a new $99.95 cancellation fee for users who cancel within 24 months of opening their account. This new policy is at odds with Lingo's previous policy of charging $59.95 for users who cancel within 12 months of opening their account.
From September 24, 2010, Lingo has stopped offering the prepaid plan "Talk 365" and other promotional plans that used to come with one-year term. So, there will be no disconnect fee going forward for the new customers if they cancel or terminate their account with Lingo at any time. They will just need to return the equipment back to Lingo.