Sep 12, 2006 07:40 AM
14714 Views
Hi,
I took an airtel combo connection in April/May 2005 and the broadband worked well and the phone was never dead and the speed was good, so what is my problem?
Well, the real story begins in June 2006 when we had to change residence. I put in a request for shift of the connection, including my full new address. The guys on the 'phone said the area was covered under airtel and I would have my phone and broadband shifted by the 20th of June. I was happy as I liked the connection and waited for someone to show up. When no one did, on the 21st I called them and asked what was up. They said they were sorry but the area was not under their coverage after all!So I was understandably very angry as I had not applied for any other connection and said as much to the person I was talking toand asked him to disconnect this number and clear their dues. Thereupon I got a call from a manager at Airtel who said they would repeat the survey and try to give us a connection. Meanwhile I applied for and got an MTNL phone + broadband in a week. THis same guy called again and said sorry, the connection could not be shifted. So I asked him to send someone to collect the modem and formalise the disconnection. He said it was not required and as my bills were paid till 7th June, all was well . So I said thanks and bye.
Fast forward to 7th-8th SEpt 2006-I get a call on my cell from a number( again a cell) saying that they are calling from Patiala House Court and this is to inform me that I am being booked under the TRY act and section 420, and some other sections which I don't recall. I am horror-struck - what have I done? Voice at other end says "Talk to advocate SIkka for details " and gives me a mobile number. BY now I realise that courts and advocates don't inform people on phones about cases being lodged against them and smell something fishy. So I call up my husband who rings up someone in the police. I try "Advocate Sikka" and he tells me that this is a criminal fraud complaint lodged against me by Airtel for outstanding bills of 6500 which I have not paid!
At this point I ring up the Airtel helpline 44444555 and request info on my number (Which gives message - out of service if you dial it). They say, yes, there was a request to shift followed by a request to disconnect but as it was not in writing, they did not disconnect and the phone is continuing to show usage! I protest on the following points :
a. NO one informed me that I have to give this in writing(including the manager).
b. I have paid every bill well in time for more than a year. They have my new address and my cell number on their records(confirmed on my current call to 44444555). There was no attempt to recover any dues for three months. Now I get these threatening calls. "Advocate Sikka" gives a different name on being called from a different phone and refuses to give any bar association number or address.
c. How can a phone giving an out of service message show usage?
d. The rented house we were residing in was also unoccupied till 1st September. Even if we assume that Airtel left the lines live till now, who is going to go into a house with disconnected electricity and water to set up and use a phone and broadband??!!!
I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ATTEMPT AT EXTORTION!! BE VERY CAREFUL AND DON"T GET TAKEN IN BY THOSE SMILING AIRTEL GUYS- FRIENDLY ON THE PHONE AND PLANNING THIS IN THEIR MINDS. I AM STILL FIGHTING THIS AND PLAN TO TAKE THEM TO COURT SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON"T SUFFER
