Airtel 3G fraud Excessive billing
Dear Consumercourt,

Reg: Complaint - 3G Airtel Data Plan Unwanted excessive billing without using, and disconnection without any intimation.

On March 20 2011 I have Activated 3G Airtel Data Unlimited Plan of Rs.750 by contacting Airtel representative in Bangalore. I never got proper internet connection as my phone was always on GPRS and I complained 3 times to Airtel, but they told that I am staying out of city limits so I may not be able to avail the 3G services. I tried a lot from different places in my home, but I was getting only GPRS level internet to check e-mails and webmails. I checked many times online in my Airtel account on my status of 3G connection whether it is active or any usage data, but there was nothing displayed. As I was stated to go overseas by my employer, I checked rigorously every 3 days to see if any balance is there to pay off. Airtel never updated anything online in my account either regarding 3G status or regarding my usage or my outsanding bill. On April 19th Airtel have disconnected my services without any intimation or any SMS. After that I have sent an e-mail on April 20 2011 (thinking there could be some problem with website) instructing Airtel to close the connection and provide the balance amount information to pay off through e-mail. I got a mail with a shocking 19K balance amount. Airtel have charged me a bill of 19000/- Rs. I immediately written reply asking for more details, but I didnt get any details other than total bill of 46000 Rs and after discounts it is 19000 Rs. I was still in shock and explained them the whole story, they firmly told that I have to pay since I have used it. I really got irritated, and asked the three below mentioned questions

1. How did my bill went on to 19000, when my credit limit is 2500.
2. Why I didn't get a call or SMS that I have crossed my limit
3. If Airtel claims that they sent me communication on the point no 2, then why it didn't get disconnected after crossing 2500/-

Till now they have never answered these questions, I wrote number of e-mails to provide clarity, they always said to call back on their number.

I called up to that number, and found out after discussing that the bill 46K is generated in three days. So they didnt get time to intimate me. Also they lied saying they disconnected my connection after I wrote e-mail to Airtel.

How can they say these kind of stories and make customers fool. They kept me in total darkness till the end. Now they cook some stories, how customer would believe them. I am 12 years experienced IT proffessional, working in big MNC. I know what is internet all about.
Airtel lack the system to control and to be transparent in showing the usage and statistics. I believe Airtel employees are playing with the internet of the customer connection and creating such huge bills.

There are so many dissapointing situations I have faced, mentioned below

1. I didnt get proper Internet services from 3G connection. I never surfed much internet.
2. There was no intimation online or through SMS that connection is active.
3. There was no customer service on my complaints on 3G service, nor any follow up. I have chase them.
4. No intimation of whasoever bill.
5. No intimation on disconnection.
6. No bill, I have recieved bill on June 22 2011.

They are calling my alternate number and speaking rashly, asking to pay by hook or crook. I said it firmly that this is total cheating and keeping customer in darkness till the end is not correct, and I cannot pay that huge amount.
Now they have started randomly calling to the numbers of my dialled list, and threatning them and torturing them, that they would sue them or send them to Jail. Lot of my freinds and relatives have complained that they lost mental peace and want get rid of this endless torture.

Mentally I am very much disturbed and frustrated becuase of Airtel's brutal actions, and negligence.


Airtel 3G system has to be recalled and revalidated, to get relief for its innocent customers. Airtel is proving to be a big fraud in this case if its not immediately looked upon.

I also warn other prospect customer to not go with Airtel 3G, this is my sincere advice.

Regards
Dheeraj

i ravi kumar verma herby state my airtel 3g sim number 7739660437 creating inconvinience for us to work properly on internet.
it itself get disconnected after every 15 minutes .
i hope that you will look over this problem soon and we will be able to work on internet properly.
purchased on 22/06/2010.
activated on 24/06/2010 with plan of rs. 498.
email [email protected]