MTN systematic theft from their customers

[barneybigshorts]

The MTN "Promo Fee" is what you pay per month for a phone. This is for a 24 month contract but MTN continues to charge this forever. This in fact amounts to theft.

I have a contract that ran it's course and ended in Feb 2010. They continued to charge the "Promo Fee" every month there after. I phoned to complain and they said they would refund me. On the invoice where they refunded me they actually charged it again.

When calling to complain again they told me this was normal. I feel this is theft. They are doing this to thousands and thousands of customers and the rand amount must be in the millions.

I would like to sue them on behalf of all South Africans that are being robbed in this way.

Are there any other people out there who are also being ripped off in this way?

 

[solo7]

If you don't give 30days notice on most contracts out there these days... they auto renew. and the providers of the services do not have to inform you that your contract is coming to an end. It is your problem to keep track of cancellation dates and warranty expiry dates.

 

[barneybigshorts]

If you don't give 30days notice on most contracts out there these days... they auto renew. and the providers of the services do not have to inform you that your contract is coming to an end. It is your problem to keep track of cancellation dates and warranty expiry dates.

I'm not complaining about that. Of course they will auto-renew. The promo fee however should end! This is for a handset and they don't send a new handset do they?

I have paid for my handset over the 24 months with this "promo fee" and it now belongs to me. They cant just continue to charge that for as long as they see fit.

If you buy a car over 24 months, then when you are done paying for it they don't continue to charge you the monthly fee because you are still driving.

 

[barneybigshorts]

In fact solo7, I did keep track of my contract end date and that is why I complained to them about the "Promo Fee" charge after the end date. They tell me at MTN that they will continue to charge the "Promo Fee" until a customer asks them to stop charging it, after the contract end date that is. I asked them to, they refunded the "over charge" and then charged it again.

 

[Moolz]

If you don't give 30days notice on most contracts out there these days... they auto renew. and the providers of the services do not have to inform you that your contract is coming to an end. It is your problem to keep track of cancellation dates and warranty expiry dates.

Once your 24 period ends, your contract does not auto renew but rather goes onto a month to month system until you either cancel or renew. The promo fee is the extra cost of the phone split over the 24 months instead of paying the cost as a once off payment as it is not feasible for many to so. So barneybigshorts you are right in what you're doing.

 

[barneybigshorts]

They have done it again.

Got my June statement today and what do you know, they've charged this again.

I dont know what is going on there. I have obviously cancelled everything with these idiots and cant wait to move to a new provider.

I'm sure they are "stealing" millions every month from unsuspecting customers.

 

[Ecco]

Got my June statement today and what do you know, they've charged this again.

I dont know what is going on there. I have obviously cancelled everything with these idiots and cant wait to move to a new provider.

I'm sure they are "stealing" millions every month from unsuspecting customers.

Move. But make a fuss about it, and make sure you get your money back first. If you really feel strongly about this, maybe report them to Icasa.

 

[barneybigshorts]

I do feel really strongly about this.

I spoke to the call center again to day. They tell me that it is normal practice to charge this promo fee for as long as they want. Regardless of weather the 24 month is up or not. The customer has to request them to stop charging this - and even then it continues to be billed.

I'm sure this amounts to fraud!! Who gives them the right to do this? They are taking money that doesn't belong to them, systematically and knowingly. Most of the time it comes straight out of your bank account without your knowledge.

Do you think it is worth laying a fraud charge at SAPS?

 

[marine1]

Same thing with me - why did I ever leave vodacom? Yes they ate all scum but MTN take the cake

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Sunset clauses ought be declared illegal.

 

[barneybigshorts]

Are there any lawyers out there who would like to get involved in suing MTN? I am trying to also get people being robbed in the same way to come on board. The more people we have the stronger we will be.

Just because they are large shouldn't mean they can walk all over us.

You can click on my "name" to get my email.

 

[Hemi300c]

Are there any lawyers out there who would like to get involved in suing MTN? I am trying to also get people being robbed in the same way to come on board. The more people we have the stronger we will be.

Just because they are large shouldn't mean they can walk all over us.

You can click on my "name" to get my email.

Any progress on this?

 

[barneybigshorts]

No luck with this. I've left MTN and they wil never get another cent from me, my company, my employees or family. That seems to be the best we can do. Also sold my shares in the company - want nothing more to do with them.