Cell C Extortion

A

Atlehang1635

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Hi everyone

I’m beyond frustrated with Cell C and need advice or help getting this resolved. I signed a 24-month SIM-only contract (30GB day + 20GB night) on 08 April 2023, ending 08 April 2025, for R279/month (later R307.77).
In Feb 2025, I told the Cell C Bayside Mall branch I wanted to cancel when the contract ends. They gave me the cancellation number (084143) and said to call a month before. I did exactly that on 08 March 2025, and they confirmed the cancellation was processed.
But then, Cell C debited R631.34 on 15 April 2025, saying the contract was “outside the period” so the discount fell away. They promised it was the last payment. Now, on 05 May 2025, I got an invoice for R484.02, set to debit on 15 May 2025. Clearly, they didn’t cancel my contract and are still billing me!
This feels like a scam, and their customer service is useless. I’ve lodged a complaint with ICASA, but has anyone else dealt with this from Cell C? Any advice on how to stop these unauthorized debits? Hoping MyBroadband can pick this up and expose Cell C’s shady practices.
 
Good luck.
Cancelling with MTN is a similar experience.
 
Our business account is getting debited for 2 Telkom Mobile packages. We never signed-up with them and i've stopped it online 3 times and set a block on the values. They just keep coming back. I asked our FNB Business Banker and they said if Telkom can prove the debit order is valid they're allowed to reload it. So i said how are they proving it? So they said its automated as long as Telkom has proof on their system, they'll send a request for the debit order loading...

In other words, good luck stopping it lol.
 
neoprema said:
Our business account is getting debited for 2 Telkom Mobile packages. We never signed-up with them and i've stopped it online 3 times and set a block on the values. They just keep coming back. I asked our FNB Business Banker and they said if Telkom can prove the debit order is valid they're allowed to reload it. So i said how are they proving it? So they said its automated as long as Telkom has proof on their system, they'll send a request for the debit order loading...

In other words, good luck stopping it lol.
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Awww arent you a ray of sunshine.
 
These kinds of admin or clerical "errors" are certainly deliberate. The average consumer doesn't have the resources to take on the cellular provider, especially not for that amount of money.
 
Got the same issue with Man. Canceled many times before I left SA. This month they debited me again. I'll be closing the bank account soon enough anyway - then good luck to their debit orders.
 
Atlehang1635 said:
Hi everyone

I’m beyond frustrated with Cell C and need advice or help getting this resolved. I signed a 24-month SIM-only contract (30GB day + 20GB night) on 08 April 2023, ending 08 April 2025, for R279/month (later R307.77).
In Feb 2025, I told the Cell C Bayside Mall branch I wanted to cancel when the contract ends. They gave me the cancellation number (084143) and said to call a month before. I did exactly that on 08 March 2025, and they confirmed the cancellation was processed.
But then, Cell C debited R631.34 on 15 April 2025, saying the contract was “outside the period” so the discount fell away. They promised it was the last payment. Now, on 05 May 2025, I got an invoice for R484.02, set to debit on 15 May 2025. Clearly, they didn’t cancel my contract and are still billing me!
This feels like a scam, and their customer service is useless. I’ve lodged a complaint with ICASA, but has anyone else dealt with this from Cell C? Any advice on how to stop these unauthorized debits? Hoping MyBroadband can pick this up and expose Cell C’s shady practices.
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Good day,

Thank you for reaching out to us.

We understand your frustration and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced regarding the cancellation of your contract. We take these matters seriously, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.

To assist you further, we would like to escalate this matter to ensure a thorough review of your cancellation request and billing discrepancies. Please PM us your ID number and contact number.

Once we receive these details, we will engage with the relevant team to ensure this matter is resolved swiftly and that no further unauthorized debits occur.

Regards,
Cell C | PN
 
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epah said:
How is it not extortion sweethearts? Op either pays money for something they dont want or he gets blacklisted if he doesnt. Sounds like extortion to me.
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We all know that everything can be made to appear to be anything else. Just change some words. Boom.
 
There is a reason Con is in the word Contract. MTN did the same to me in my previous lifetime. It was the first and last CONtract I ever had.
 
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epah said:
How is it not extortion sweethearts? Op either pays money for something they dont want or he gets blacklisted if he doesnt. Sounds like extortion to me.
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Sure sweetheart.
 
Priapus said:
Got the same issue with Man. Canceled many times before I left SA. This month they debited me again. I'll be closing the bank account soon enough anyway - then good luck to their debit orders.
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Good luck with that. Accounts don't actually close and the debit order will still run with the bank demanding their money later even though you have no access or statements.
 
B-1 said:
Good luck with that. Accounts don't actually close and the debit order will still run with the bank demanding their money later even though you have no access or statements.
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Meh I’m closing the bank account. So they can go ahead and run their debit order.
 
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