Harassed for payments[fake bills]. Review on Airtel Broadband

On 24th of March 11, I had mailed Airtel to disconnect my existing Broadband and Telephone line as I was moving to a new locality where Airtel does not provide coverage. My mail clearly mentioned== that if shifting is not possible please disconnect? ==

A customer care reply mentioned that the shifting is not possible to the new location and without any other information from Airtel's end; I assumed that `In case shifting is not possible, please close my connection' is a valid statement and would be executed, unless mentioned otherwise.

I left the premises subsequently under the illusion that my account would be closed.

But, to my dismay they never closed the connection never contacted me again till my bills were due. Then they kept calling me and harassing me again and again regarding this, even after mentioning to the caller that I had requested cancellation. They would promise to check my record and revert; but no action was taken.

After this call, every week or so I would get a call from Airtel and on mentioning my situation would get a promise to check the issue. These calls continued on a regular basis. Again in August I get a call saying that 2 months bill is due, and the reps keep asking me for payments.

On explaining my story and clearly mentioning that I have paid all dues before I had first initiated a mail for closure of account; these calls stopped. The agent said that he was able to see the mail that I had sent in March but he mentioned that my account was still active and he initiated a fresh request to close my account.

Subsequently the frequency of the calls stopped and I assumed that all is well.

I was on a vacation in Kerala from past two weeks. I got multiple calls from Advocate SK Singh office from Delhi pressurizing me to make the payments or fight a case in the Delhi court. This came as a shock to me because nobody from Airtel called me about this.

He also abused me for not paying up the bill. Fearing, criminal action - even though without cause; and having to travel to Delhi for that; I had to run from pillar to post to pay off 1417.16 rupees to Airtel.

I called up the customer care after many attempts and the agent asked me to pay the dues and then take up the case with Airtel. When I asked him to log a complaint on my behalf and give me the request number he said that he was unable to do that and that all he could do was arrange a callback for me.( I am not 100% sure but I think the agent’s name was Bhaumik)

Now I have been in contact with airtel nodal office as well as appelate office; but they say that my mail is not enough I should have sent them another confirmation to close the account.

I don't understand why!

My mail clearly mentioned that - "In case shifting is not possible, please close my account". I guess they don't understand english much.

I have sent a written complaint to TRAI and also I would be posting this issue in consumer courts. 1417 is a very paltry sum for me; but since Airtel has harassed and mentally tortured me; I want to get back at then even if it means that I have to spare time to publish and advertise this issue in various forums and bulletin boards.

Thank you.

Roshan Abraham