MW
Mel W

1 reviews | Active since May 2020

03 Mar 2022, 15:38

Cell C incompetence

I have been a subscriber with Cell C for many years. My phone account has since inception been paid by debit order. In June and July 2021 for some reason these debit orders were not taken. My account went into arrears by R560.51. On querying this I was told that Cell C had stopped debiting credit cards. I then immediately made the required payment in 11 July 2021. My August invoice dated 4 August 2021 showed this payment as received 12 July 2021. 6 months later, on 17 February 2022 I received an email from Cell C stating “Your payment for R560.51 has not been received. Your Cell C Services will be disconnected with immediate effect if no payment is received.” On checking my invoices and bank account I could see that I had indeed paid this. Every invoice from August 2021 shows no arrears. I phoned Cell C customer services to ascertain what the problem was. I was told I was in arrears. I then obtained proof of payment from my bank and forwarded by email to Cell C on 18 February 2022 which showed that this payment had been received by them. On 23 February 2022 I received an email “Outstanding Account Warning Letter” in which it stated that should I fail to pay within 7 days my personal details, or the details of my surety, will be listed on the Credit Bureau (I would be blacklisted). It further goes to state that my account would be handed over to the Pre-Legal Department. Then the harassment started. On 24 February 2022 I started receiving daily phone calls from Cell C asking for immediate payment. I called them back and they then told me that they could see that I had indeed paid but this did not stop the harassing phone calls. After 2 calls on 28 February I asked to speak to a supervisor but was told this was not possible. I was told that a Mr Isaacs would call me back but to date nothing has happened. To date I have received 12 calls from Cell C. They tell me that they can see that I have paid 11 July 2021 and this payment would be allocated to my account by their account department by the week’s end. This has not stopped the calls. This is pure harassment and distressing to me and my family. It would seem that there is no way that you can speak to a supervisor or manager to get this sorted out. Cell C, your service and the way you treat your customers who have paid what they owe is threatening and bullying. Surely this could be sorted out when you first received my proof of payment from the bank and why did this come up 6 months after I had paid my account?

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Replies (5)
Cell C
Cell C's reply03 Mar 2022, 16:40
Official
Good day Mel 

Thank you for bringing this matter into our attention. 

We will follow up and revert to you. Apologies for any inconvenience. 

^NT
MW
Mel W's update04 Mar 2022, 10:38
Reviewer Update
So today I receive another threatening final demand letter. I paid this 6 months ago! When will this madness stop? This is beyond ridiculous. Cell C - sort this out now!!!

Cell C
Cell C's reply04 Mar 2022, 15:04
Official
The matter will be investigated and rectified. Please await our call. 

^NT
MW
Mel W's update10 Mar 2022, 12:59
Reviewer Update
The saga continues. On Monday 8 March 2022 I got a call from Cell C customer services Head Office re my complaint. I was assured that the person I was speaking to was going to investigate and call me back. Later that day I received another call from from a different person at Cell C demanding payment. This makes a total of 15 calls to me. Today is Thursday 10 March 2022 and I have not heard anything from the Customer Services person. How long does it take to check my account and ascertain that I had indeed paid on 11 July 2021 and it was reflected in my statement from Cell C on 12 July 2021 as been received and credited to my account??? This has been going on since 17 February 2022!!!!!! I have paid. I have proof of payment. Cell C acknowledged payment in my August 2021 statement dated 4 August 2021. These calls and threatening emails have embarrassed me and my family. Cell C get this sorted out now.


MW
Mel W's update23 Mar 2022, 15:18
Reviewer Update
Today 23 March 2022 Cell C suspended my service. I went up to my local Cell C agent and was told this was for non payment. On presenting my copy of proof of payment and my August 2021 statement from Cell C in which my payment is reflected, my service was reinstated. I had no sooner arrived back home when I got another call from Cell C asking for payment. This person could also see that my payment has been received but not allocated to my account. I have had 23 phone calls from Cell C and was told on numerous occasions that they could see my payment but it had not been allocated to my account. This payment was made 11 July 2021. On Thursday 17 March I received a call from Cell C in which this person informed me that he had forwarded my proof of payment to the accounts department for action. Nothing has happened. This is beyond belief. I have sent numerous emails with proof of payment and with all my statements from August 2021 up to date in which it shows that I was not in arrears at all. What more must I do? I am not holding my breath. This has to be the worst service in the whole mobile phone industry. Through absolutely no fault of mine and incompetence from Cell C, I have been threatened with legal action and to have my name blacklisted. I have probably spent more in petrol than the alleged non payment to Cell C. If my contract did not have a year more to run I would cancel it with immediate effect.