Beware of MTN

The MTN store I used was staffed by people who were courteous and helpful. They lacked the authority to reverse incorrect decisions.

If your contract expires and you continue using and paying for your MTN service without a contract, MTN provides your personal details to agencies who earn a commission by, in my case, entrapping me into a new contract. The details create the potential for identity theft and your number being provided to advertisers. This may explain the advertising calls I now receive. Shortly I will write about my MTN debit order being perceived as ********** by my bank and me, which is why dealing with MTN creates this kind of apprehension.

For 11 months I was trapped in the USA. On my return, I tried to renew a contract at the MTN store. It was being relocated and I had to wait until the new store opened. During this period I received two calls. One was fiercely rejected by my wife. I assume from a different agency, I answered the second call. The person at the other end of the line new my personal details and I assumed that he was from MTN. This was not the case. He did not identify the fact that he was calling from an agency. During the course of the conversation I said yes at the wrong time, misunderstanding what was being said to me. I did not receive an email confirming that I now had a new, more expensive, contract. I did not receive an email stating terms and conditions. I was not aware that there is a 10-day cooling off period.

When I went to the relocated store to obtain a new contract, I found that I had a new unwanted contract. To challenge the confirmation of the contract required the services of a lawyer.

During the period in the USA inconsistent MTN debit order billing caused my bank to block my card, with the bank and me suspecting *****. As a result of MTN not being paid, I received legal threats from MTN. No amount of online communications could resolve the issue. Whoever was at the other end of the communication, whether a person or an algorithm, lacked the knowledge or authority to address the issue. I had to ask my daughter to go the store and dump money into my MTN in order to avoid legal action. MTN billing errors led to me being in the USA without the use of my credit card.

I am angry, disgusted even, with MTN service. And I have to pay for it.