Sachin Walls
Many people have reported that InstaFile, a company that claims to help with lost items at airports, is a scam. The company has a rating of 1.6/5 on Trustpilot, with many users reporting that they paid fees ranging from $29.99 to $40 and received little to no help in recovering their lost items. Some reviewers claim that InstaFile does not have any links to airport lost and found offices and that they could have received the same or better service by contacting the airport directly for free. Others report that InstaFile is difficult to contact and does not honour refund requests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| TrustPilot Score | 1.6 / 5 |
| TrustPilot Reviews | 20 |
| TrustPilot Review Comments | "Scam", "Bogus company", "Do not use", "Waste of money", "Hoax", "Criminals" |
| BBB Score | N/A |
| BBB Reviews | N/A |
| BBB Review Comments | "Scam", "Do not fall for this", "Not a legitimate business", "Fraudulent business", They prey on people's misfortune" |
| ScamPulse Score | N/A |
| ScamPulse Reviews | N/A |
| ScamPulse Review Comments | "Scammer's website", "Scammer's address", "Scammer's email", "Total money lost", "Type of scam", Charge you money for the same resources available free at the airport, "I lost my cell phone on the plane", "I have been unable to reach anyone there" |
| TripAdvisor Score | N/A |
| TripAdvisor Reviews | N/A |
| TripAdvisor Review Comments | "I believe it is a scam", "I NEVER heard a word from them", "I have had exactly the same experience", "No response to phone calls", "It's a scam", Be aware they set up a recurring payment on your PayPal, "Avoid and if you have been scammed report them" |
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What You'll Learn
- InstaFile is a scam, according to reviews on Trustpilot and ScamPulse
- The company charges customers $40 to file lost item reports at airports
- Reviews suggest that InstaFile does not follow up on these reports or help customers recover their lost items
- Customers have reported that they were able to file reports with airports themselves for free
- Some customers have disputed charges with their credit card companies and requested refunds from InstaFile
InstaFile is a scam, according to reviews on Trustpilot and ScamPulse
Several reviews on ScamPulse also allege that InstaFile is a scam. One review mentions that InstaFile's website appeared official, prompting the reviewer to pay a fee and fill out a form to recover their lost laptop from Heathrow Airport. However, InstaFile did not help with the recovery, and the reviewer eventually contacted Heathrow Airport's lost and found department directly to retrieve the laptop. Another reviewer claims that InstaFile's website is fake and that they did not receive any updates about their lost phone, even after paying a fee.
InstaFile has a rating of 1.6/5 on Trustpilot, with multiple reviews warning others to avoid the service. Similarly, reviews on ScamPulse suggest that InstaFile's website is designed to deceive people into thinking it is affiliated with airports, when it is not. According to one review on ScamPulse, lawyers have stated that there is enough evidence to prosecute InstaFile criminally, and airports and airlines want to distance themselves from the scam.
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The company charges customers $40 to file lost item reports at airports
Several customer reviews on Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB) claim that InstaFile is a scam. The company charges customers $40 to file lost item reports at airports, but many reviewers claim that the service does not follow through on its promises. One reviewer on Trustpilot stated that they paid $40 for InstaFile to write an email to Barcelona Airport regarding their lost item. However, when the item was found, InstaFile did not respond to their request for shipping, and the reviewer had to pay a separate shipping fee to receive their item.
Another reviewer on BBB mentioned that they paid InstaFile $39.99 to file a lost item report and received a confirmation email and a request for additional information. However, they later learned that they could have filed the report themselves for free by directly contacting the airport. They also mentioned that InstaFile did not respond to their complaints about the service. Similarly, a Trustpilot reviewer claimed that InstaFile did not help them recover their lost iPad at Madrid Airport, despite charging them for the service. The reviewer found their iPad by directly contacting the airport's lost and found office.
InstaFile has been accused of preying on travellers who have recently experienced a loss and taking advantage of their panic. Reviewers have also claimed that InstaFile has no affiliation with airport lost and found offices and that their services are redundant, as most airports offer lost item reporting for free. Some reviewers have even reported InstaFile to authorities for fraud.
While some reviewers claim that InstaFile did contact the airports regarding their lost items, the general consensus is that the company provides little to no value for its $40 fee. Many reviewers feel that they were scammed and that InstaFile took their money without providing any meaningful assistance in recovering their lost items. As such, it is advisable to exercise caution when considering using InstaFile's services for lost item reports at airports.
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Reviews suggest that InstaFile does not follow up on these reports or help customers recover their lost items
Several reviews of InstaFile's services suggest that the company does not follow up on customer reports or help them recover their lost items. Many customers have expressed disappointment and frustration with their experiences, claiming that InstaFile did not provide any meaningful assistance in locating and retrieving their lost possessions.
One common complaint is that InstaFile appears to be a scam, luring customers with promises of help but failing to deliver any tangible results. Customers have reported paying fees ranging from $29.99 to $40, only to receive little to no assistance in finding their lost items. In some cases, individuals have discovered that they can file lost item reports directly with the airport for free, rendering InstaFile's services unnecessary and potentially deceptive.
InstaFile has also been accused of failing to respond to customer inquiries and requests for updates on the status of their lost items. Some customers have reported feeling ignored and disregarded by the company, with their emails and calls going unanswered. This lack of communication has further contributed to the perception that InstaFile is not genuinely invested in helping customers recover their lost possessions.
Additionally, there are allegations that InstaFile has falsely claimed to be affiliated with certain airports or lost and found services. Customers have shared experiences where they later learned that InstaFile had no relationship with the airport in question, despite implying or stating otherwise. This has led to confusion and frustration, as people feel they have been misled about the nature of the services provided.
The overall sentiment in the reviews suggests a sense of disappointment and distrust in InstaFile's capabilities and intentions. Customers feel that InstaFile has taken advantage of their vulnerable situation, profiting from their losses without providing any meaningful assistance. While some individuals have eventually recovered their lost items, it appears to be through their own efforts or direct communication with the airport, rather than due to InstaFile's involvement.
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Customers have reported that they were able to file reports with airports themselves for free
Many customers have reported that they were able to file reports with airports themselves for free, without the need for third-party services like InstaFile. In one instance, a customer reported losing their iPad and, after paying InstaFile, they did not hear anything back. They then contacted Madrid Airport directly and were able to track down their iPad to the correct lost property office. Similarly, another customer reported losing their cell phone and, after paying InstaFile, they did not receive any updates. They then contacted SFO airport directly and were able to resolve the issue.
In another case, a customer reported losing their laptop at Heathrow Airport and initially used InstaFile, paying a fee of $35. However, they eventually contacted the Heathrow lost and found department directly and were able to retrieve their laptop for a small service fee. Another customer reported a similar experience, where they lost their cell phone and paid InstaFile, but did not receive any updates. They then contacted the Istanbul Airport lost and found department directly and resolved the issue.
It is worth noting that almost all airports offer lost and found services, and customers are advised to check with the airport directly before resorting to third-party services. While some customers have reported mixed experiences, with some eventually receiving refunds, others have reported difficulties in obtaining refunds from InstaFile. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid using these types of services and to contact the airport directly instead.
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Some customers have disputed charges with their credit card companies and requested refunds from InstaFile
Several customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with InstaFile's services, claiming that they were charged for something that most airports offer for free. Many customers have also disputed the charges with their credit card companies and requested refunds from InstaFile.
In one instance, a customer reported that they were charged $39.99 to file a lost and found claim, but never received any updates on the status of their item. Despite contacting InstaFile multiple times, they were unable to get a response. The customer eventually filed a dispute with their credit card company and requested a refund from InstaFile, which was promised but never received.
Another customer shared a similar experience, stating that they paid $40 to InstaFile to locate their lost bag at JFK airport but never received any communication or updates. The customer had to call the airport directly to locate their bag and requested a refund from InstaFile, which was never processed.
In other cases, customers have reported that InstaFile did not provide any assistance in recovering their lost items and that they were able to resolve the issue themselves by contacting the airport directly. Some customers have disputed the charges with their credit card companies and reported InstaFile as a fraudulent company.
It is important to note that while some customers have reported successful disputes and refunds, there are also instances where customers have not received their refunds, even after being promised by InstaFile. Given the mixed reviews and the presence of negative experiences, it is advisable for customers to thoroughly research the company and understand the risks involved before availing of their services.
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Frequently asked questions
Many people have reported InstaFile as a scam. The company claims to help you find your lost items at the airport, but several users have stated that they never heard back from the company after paying the fee. Many airports offer lost and found services for free.
If you have paid InstaFile and have not received any communication or updates regarding your lost item, you may have been scammed. Multiple users have reported that they did not hear back from InstaFile after making a payment.
If you believe you have been scammed by InstaFile, you should immediately contact your credit card company or PayPal to dispute the charge and request a refund. You can also report the scam to organizations like ScamPulse, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, you can reach out directly to the airport's lost and found department to try and locate your item.
