Cell C "out of bundle" data rip-off!

Out of bundle data rip-off!

Beware! Cell C (and probably others) use exorbitant "out of bundle" rates to rip-off their unsuspecting customers.

I contracted for 500mb data. Data usage should accordingly have been capped at 500mb and NO MORE. I was not advised of, nor did I ask for access to further data. Accordingly Cell C had no authority to arbitrarily "allocate" a monthly "credit" facility limit of R1,100,00.

I have subsequently received an account for around R659,00 relating to this "out of bundle" data usage.

I queried this charge on the following basis:

1. I was not advised of, nor did I ask for access to data in excess of 500mb. Cell C therefore had no authority to arbitrarily "allocate" a monthly "credit"facility limit of R1,100, 00, ad data should have been capped at 500mb.

2. An SMS "informing" me of the out of bundle data usage, and the related cost, was only received from Cell C AFTER they had already run up a substantial amount of "expensive" data.

3. My phone records of data usage did not indicate usage in excess of the 500mb, and I have a limit set on my phone to prevent such usage.

After numerous convoluted phone calls with Cell C, they escalated the query to Data Department who extracted a Data Verification Report which was emailed to me.

When asked if I was "satisfied" with the query I rep**** "NO, since I had not authorised such data and wanted an explanation for the basis on which they processed such data (if that was in fact correct) without my authority.

I heard nothing further from Cell C, who have since process a debit to my bank account for R659,00 despite not having properly addressed and responded to my query.

I will now insist that Cell C reverse the debit for the additional data, or I will instruct my bank to reverse it, until I receive a satisfactory response to my query.

The nub of the problem here is the underhand manner in which Cell C seeks to run up and charge for "out-of bundle" data at rates 500% higher!