I do not work for AOL.  I cannot cancel your account for you. The article below will tell you everything you need to know about cancelling your account. DO NOT email me asking to have your account cancelled or you will end up in The Hall of Shame.

After you have cancelled your account feel free to submit your own terrible AOL experience to the site and share it with the rest of us. Welcome to your new support group!

I realize that the free world is already aware that AOL sucks.  In fact, even the State of Ohio is filing a lawsuit against AOL for unfair billing practices.  I also realize that you don't really need to hear about it from another person. Despite these facts I am going to share my AOL experience with you anyways. If you read it then I PROMISE that you will learn how to cancel your account at the end.

I made the mistake of signing up for AOL recently. I want you to know that I had no intention of keeping the account. In fact, the only reason that I did it was because I NEEDED an internet connection that night and I was without an ISP at the time. For some reason I thought that using the AOL CD would be a good idea because it offered "1000 Hours Free." I thought I would use it for one, maybe two days, and then cancel. Sound like a simple concept? You have no idea.

When I was ready to cancel the account I decided the visit the AOL website so that I could send an email requesting my cancellation. After looking extensively I realized that there is no contact information for cancellations available on their web site. Refusing to give up, I sent an email to their "general information" department requesting immediate cancellation of my account. Seem too easy? Rest assured that this was only the beginning.

I received an email 2 days later in response to my initial cancellation request. The email stated that "For account security reasons, cancellations cannot be processed via email or online." They require a faxed or mailed request that contains a handwritten signature. I pulled together the necessary information and sent them a fax. I then dropped to the ground with a short prayer that this nightmare was now over. My prayers were never answered.

4 business days had passed since I sent my fax, and I was beginning to think that I might be free....That is until I saw the little AOL postcard in my mailbox. According the the postcard there had been a problem with my cancellation request because I left out some necessary information. There was a number listed for me to call which I dialed immediately. I proceeded to explain to the customer service representative that I wished to cancel my account and for some reason there was apparently a problem. When I asked him what information was missing he said he had no way of knowing that. He then asked me for a retina scan, voice analysis, Social Security Number, and last 4 numbers of my credit card for security reasons. I provided all of the information, he looked at my account, and then told me that he was going to transfer me to the cancellation department. I became immediately suspicious when he told me to get a pen and write down the number. My suspicions proved true when I was disconnected 20 seconds later.

I dialed the direct number and expected it to be answered by a shoe store in the mall, but believe it or not it was the actual number for the AOL cancellations department! Of course I had to repeat all of the same information before he would talk to me. When I tried to explain that I wanted to cancel they asked me why, so I came up with what I thought would be a good lie - I told him I was moving. He asked when I was moving and how long it would be before I was all moved in. Not seeing the trap he was setting, I said "about 2 months I guess." He said "well then I am going to go ahead and give you 2 months free and then you will be all set." Woah - nice try. He didn't seem to understand the concept of "no means no." I told him at least 4 more times that I JUST WANT TO CANCEL. Finally he let me go, I was free!

I almost forgot to give you that valuable information that I promised, so here it is. The direct line for the AOL Cancellations Department is 888-265-8008. Apparently at some point in November of 2003 they finally made this number available on their website, but don't ask me where you can find it!.  Must be all of the class-action lawsuits finally resulted in some real customer service! 

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