In a state of [OOB shark] shock!!!

P

Padded Mouse

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I took out the vodacom night owl data package worth R149.00 on 24th May. You know the one where you get 2 gigs and an extra 2 gigs between midnite and 5am?

I got a prorata amount of 528 megs to use between the 24th - 31st May

I have just checked my bank account to find they have billed me R1388.00 for May. I am in shock as this means other debit orders will be bouncing now!!

From July 2008 - August 2010 I had only a gig a month on contract and for the last year have used pay as you go buying a one gig bundle every month so ti is not as if I am not used to watching and limiting my time....

I am so very careful with my internet. I check my usage all the time. I use a laptop at home which because of space restraints is stored on a shelf with modem disconnected in between usage, so it is not even as if my laptop is on all the time.

One area of the online query is lacking in that where it says "bill to date" the comment is "unavailable" How do i get ongoing reports of my bill to date during the month???

I have downloaded a bit torrent in June but was careful to do this after midnight.

I have not received an itemised bill as yet. i did query and the lady told me that over R1000 was use on 30th May. To ask them to go and check times etc and which webistes were gone into I have had to log a dispute which of course I have done. But have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that somehow they are not going to take any blame for this..

Would like feedback and comment form other vodacom users about if they ahve experienced the same, and what has happened.

I would also like advice please on how I can monitor and control this from my side so that I have my own log to use in any dispute. I know there are programs / software etc to utilize to keep a record. I had not thought it necessary but realise that I am being extremely naieve. Could anyone advise me on how to protect myself for the future?
 
You were warned about the OOB shark...

oob.jpg


Mod note: [Updated thread title]
 
Yeah I don't know where that (oob sharK) in my title came from... is not something I put in and now I cannot edit it out. The original title just siad "in a state of shock"

Not sure what you mean about being warned and i have no idea what the OOB shark is???

Still need advice?
 
Saw his name on another thread and have actually done that already, but would like advice from others out there about monitoring / logging software / programs / blocks I can put in place to ensure this does not happen again?
 
Padded Mouse said:
Saw his name on another thread and have actually done that already, but would like advice from others out there about monitoring / logging software / programs / blocks I can put in place to ensure this does not happen again?
Click to expand...

There are a number of apps for Windows that will monitor data usage, search this forum (NetMon, NetLimiter, DuMeter etc). Some also recommend a firewall that blocks outbound connections to prevent all those auto updates.
 
Padded Mouse said:
I took out the vodacom night owl data package worth R149.00 on 24th May. You know the one where you get 2 gigs and an extra 2 gigs between midnite and 5am?

I got a prorata amount of 528 megs to use between the 24th - 31st May

I have just checked my bank account to find they have billed me R1388.00 for May. I am in shock as this means other debit orders will be bouncing now!!

From July 2008 - August 2010 I had only a gig a month on contract and for the last year have used pay as you go buying a one gig bundle every month so ti is not as if I am not used to watching and limiting my time....

I am so very careful with my internet. I check my usage all the time. I use a laptop at home which because of space restraints is stored on a shelf with modem disconnected in between usage, so it is not even as if my laptop is on all the time.

One area of the online query is lacking in that where it says "bill to date" the comment is "unavailable" How do i get ongoing reports of my bill to date during the month???

I have downloaded a bit torrent in June but was careful to do this after midnight.

I have not received an itemised bill as yet. i did query and the lady told me that over R1000 was use on 30th May. To ask them to go and check times etc and which webistes were gone into I have had to log a dispute which of course I have done. But have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that somehow they are not going to take any blame for this..

Would like feedback and comment form other vodacom users about if they ahve experienced the same, and what has happened.

I would also like advice please on how I can monitor and control this from my side so that I have my own log to use in any dispute. I know there are programs / software etc to utilize to keep a record. I had not thought it necessary but realise that I am being extremely naieve. Could anyone advise me on how to protect myself for the future?
Click to expand...

I have received your pm , i will have a look later and revert with feedback.
 
Ok thanks will lokk at the programmes you have mentioned IceBQ is there any instruction site that can tell one how to set the firewall? I use eset nod32 as my virus protector, but as a layman have not the fogiest of how to set firewall instrcutions
 
This post is proof that the 2+2 promotion is in fact *very* sustainable.

:p
 
ginggs punts the free ZoneAlarm to block outbound connections. I have no experience with it.
 
morkhans said:
ginggs punts the free ZoneAlarm to block outbound connections. I have no experience with it.
Click to expand...

In my experience you have to "train" it which application is allowed and which not.

Which is a good thing - but it is irritating at first go, but thereafter you know which apps is allowed access and which is not.

Keep in mind that a virus/trojan can also guzzle up bandwidth - especially when hidden inside a "trused" app - eg internet explorer etc...
 
Ouch!
Hmmm...Going to install the app mentioned
As for some reason I am using my 3.2gig nightowl by downloading 2gig words of data.
 
Update for everyone ... I have had no verbal feedback from Vodacom yet as to whether this is my error or their error, but I have just gone into my bank account and the orginal debit made by vodacom has been reversed to my credit! I cannot tell you how relieved I am at the moment ...

In the interim though, there is already one bank charge debited to my account because a debit order bounced and of course I am now going to have to contact this probvider to explain to them what happened.

Hopefully this is sorted and there will be no ping ponging of money in and out of my account by vodacom, as ultimately it is all to my cost where bank charges are concerned.

It would still be nice for them to contact me to let me know what the problem was, and hopefully that may still happen but hey, thank goodnes for small mercies!

I will still take measures to protect myself by using one of the monitoring programmes suggested by you on this thread. Thanks everyone for your advice and assistance!
 
Update, and yes in a new more angry state of shock....

I have just checked my bank balance now and Vodacom have just taken R1701.08 off my bank account. This after an morning yesterday with emails, online queries and telephone discussion best described in the words I used yesterday:...

>>> Please could you assist me? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX At the end of June you took R1388.35 off my account which was supposedly for over usage in May. I only opened my account on 24th may 2011.

I declared a dispute, and have yet to have anyone phone me or email me about this dispute I declared. However, I noticed 2 days later, that the amount of R 1388.35 had been credited back to my account, but no other amount was taken off for the actual amount owing.

The above action on the part of Vodacom resulted in two of my debit order bouncing which resulted in two amounts of R85.00 (R170.00 in total) being debited to me.

Now in logging in to the site, I am told that my account is in arrears.

Please what is happening with this account? If you put through another amount over and above my monthly subscription rate for which I have catered. I will have the same problem in other debit orders being reversed and me being chareged unpaid item fees.

I realy wish to have this sorted out and for vodacom to pay me my bank charges for what was not my error in the frist place. I am very careful to watch my account. I have two bandwidth monitoring systems on my computer.

How can I be sure that I won't have a double bill or more at the end of each month? Do I have to take this to an ombuds person and have my account cancelled?

Over and above this, one cannot even rely on your online usage system. Last week I logged on to check my usage and was told I had used 2 gigs of 6 gigs???? I should have taken a screen shot to email through to you, but please help me out here, what is going on.

I am really beginning to feel as if I have made a huge mistake taking out this contract Can someone please sort this out for me ASAP ??? <<<

As said that was yesterday and was promised telephonically by a chap called Faiek ( email is dataportal xxx) that this would be prioritized and I would have my issues sorted ASAP! Then the shock today of this new amount being taken off whilst still waiting for them to get back to me.

It is so frustrating and as said I am still waiting for them to get back to me about the dispute decalred a month ago.

I don't want them to just be taking money out of my account and putting it back, I want answers as to what the original problem was and whose fault it is.

I also do not want to be living in fear each month wondering what is going to happen with my vodacom account.

I want someomne to give me a log of my data usage from the day I opened the account and to explain everything to me. is that too much to ask??

I am seriously trying not to get hysterical here, but have an instant headache and feel sick. and I just do not know what to do anymore.

Perhaps I really do need to go to the ombudsman and the media at large over this one!
 
Sorry bud but I can only laugh at you. You act surprised when there's how many hundreds of stories like this, both in the mainstream media and on here? You see a hundred other people get burned and then you go take out a contract? Reminds me of the proverb, a fool and his money are soon parted. Also, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
 
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