Alert USA Logo
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
LAST UPDATED: August 20th, 2022

Alert USA, LLC is a company that was founded in 1984. Alert USA is one of the few companies out there that has limited mobility and still uses a landline. While the company's functionality with VoIP and DSL are great, traveling anywhere with the unit makes it very difficult to use the service.

One great thing about Alert USA is that their operators can automatically see your medical information and contact information.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • Experience
  • Features
  • Easy Installation

Experience

Alert USA has been in business since 1984, which means they have had time to perfect and refine their products and services. Along with their experience, their terms of service are clear and informative showing the transparency of the company.

Features

The unit offered by Alert USA is easy to use and features big, colored buttons for sending an alert and resetting the system from the base unit. The system also has a good battery system, meaning that a client would still be able to use the product in the instance of electrical failure. The base unit also has a diagnostic system that checks the functionality of both the base station and the portable button unit.

The mobile unit is light, durable, and easy to use. The button is waterproof so that the user can take it with them into the shower or participate in outdoor activities.

Another neat feature of the service is the World Wide Protection Card. A client, when traveling, can carry a card that contains a contact number for Alert USA. If an individual experiences a medical emergency, bystanders and first responders can call the toll free number, getting needed information to provide first aid.

Easy Installation

The unit is also easy to install. One simply plugs the system into their phone jack and power outlet, pushing the reset button in order to activate it.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Cancellation and refunds
  • Functionality
  • False alarms

Cancellation and Refunds

There were several complaints regarding getting a refund after returning equipment. Some clients were also billed after they had canceled their service. At least one review involved coercion to buy a new unit from the company when the proper parts were not available to repair a unit.

Functionality

The functionality of the unit also raised grave concerns. 300 feet is not an adequate range for an alert device. The alert button does not have two-way communications capability so that the client could not communicate with the operator. One of the complaints was truly troubling. When a client had problems with the service and product, they ordered a new unit. While they waited for a new unit to arrive, the client was still billed for monthly service and offered no refund for "downtime" resulting from not having a working unit. The client tried to close out the account but faced great difficulty with canceling the service. Also, the base unit is connected to a phone line. Even though the unit has VoIP and DSL capability, there is no GPS or cellular capability for the unit, meaning that a customer has to notify the company when moving or traveling. Many individuals might not be able to use this product if they do not have a phone line or a landline. It is troubling that the number for sales and customer service is the same hotline. Customer service calls are typically answered during business hours, meaning that someone might not be able to get help with their unit if it were to go offline overnight or late in the evening.

False Alarms

No information for "false alarms" could be found. Information for false alarms is important because the unit may go off on occasion. Another concern with Alert USA was the lack of a fall sensor. Fall sensors are important because they respond to sudden motion that may indicate that a person is falling.

View Best Medical Alert Companies

gavel

The Bottom Line

The only real situation appropriate for Alert USA coverage would be if a client were to live in a small home or apartment with a landline. The 300-foot radius from the base unit simply does not give an individual to function independently. Alert USA, for having been in business so long, seems to be behind the times. Many homes, even with elderly inhabitants, may not use a landline and could utilize a mobile phone. The lack of mobility may limit a person, making it necessary for them to stay within range of the base unit. The lack of two-way communication with the button mobile unit is also problematic, meaning that a client could experience a lengthy delay between when they place an alert and the time it takes a monitor to respond.

View Best Medical Alert Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info
star star_half star_border star_border star_border

9 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

0%

4 grade

0%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

11%

1 grade

78%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star_border star_border star_border

Quality

star star star_border star_border star_border

Service

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Trustworthiness

star star_border star_border star_border star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Hilary Thamann Wausau, WI

Horrible system-my mother fell at night and continually pressed her button but got no response. My sister found her the next morning. She was alert but in pain and told her how she pressed and pressed the button but it didn’t work. She passed away six days later. I called alert USA after my mother’s fall and they said their system is down. Now that my mother has passed they will not stop payment which at the very least they should do. I have returned the system via federal express and have confirmation. They say they haven’t gone through their mail Yet and now will not return my call. I can’t help but wonder if my mother’s outcome would have been different if she would have received immediate medical care.

4 years ago

star star star_border star_border star_border

Diane Davis Sonora, CA

My mom passed away in 2015, she did use the service a couple times. It was a good thing to have. When my mom passed away I sent everything back in the box it came in. Copy of the notice of cancellation, everything they wanted. They received it Feb. 2015, I have called and called about getting the deposit back. I keep getting told someone will call me back tomorrow, end of week, or next week. No one has ever called back, and still haven't received the $100.00 deposit. ???????????????????

6 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

lynng Buffalo, NY

my father returned his unit at the end of August this year. When he still hadn't received his refund check in the beginning of November, he called and was told that it would take 8 weeks for the return to come. When I called on November 7th to point out that it had already been 8+ weeks, I was told that it had gotten misplaced and would go out that day. i asked if i COULD EXPECT THE CHECK BY WEDNESDAY THE FOLLOWING WEEK. i WAS TOLD YES. On Friday, the 18th I called again and was put through to a voicemail. I left a not so nice message and requested a call back on Monday> NEVER GOT IT. On Tuesday, the 22nd I called again and was told that "payroll had a death in the family and had just returned back to work that day. My question is, How long does one get for bereavement through this company? and can no one else handle anything when they...she is away? I am still fighting for the refund owed to my 87 year old father. I would never recommend this company to anyone!!!

7 years ago

star star star star_border star_border

Elizabeth O'Neill Sandwich, MA

Have had six years of quick response service and staff always gracious and informative when I have questions. I do periodic checks to make sure everything is working - service required for in home area only - do not require traveling protection.

7 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Richard Benedict Summerville, GA

This company is very bad at allowing a customer to cancel service with them. I have contacted them several times by phone and have been given addresses to return their equipment. The US Post Office could not deliver the box to them and could not get anyone to pick the box up at the post office. The Post office Office has returned the package to me and it now sits in my garage. I then sent a letter to the corporate office and the letter was returned as "undeliverable at this address". I have cancelled my credit card account with them. I'll bet they call me.

5 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

John Rosato Ravena, NY

I wish no stars was an option - because this company is not honest and it is very disappointing that they take advantage of our seniors. We are still waiting for a refund after sending the equipment back. First - check was sent - then no one in billing, then server out on computer - then oops check lost in mail - but they could not tell me when they sent it or for how much ??? because they never did -

5 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Keyman Napa, CA

I have had the system for 15 years for my mother. After she had to go into assisted living we boxed everything up into the original box and sent it to where they told me. 4 months latter and every excuse you can think of we have yet to get our deposit back. They suck!!!

1 year ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Ralph Haverhill, MA

after returning the equipment back to them with the address they provided they told me that they never received it. I traced it and it was delivered. They now want to charge me $700. For the equipment they say wasn't returned. I looked up reviews of the company and found many complaints for the same thing.

9 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Alice Wollman Butler, NJ

I have been trying to get my refund after paying to send back the unit after my mother died.

7 years ago