MTN **** TO RETAIN CUSTOMERS BY FALSE CHARGES TO THEIR ACCOUNTS AND TO DE***** THE ELDERLY BY BLACMAILING THEM.

MTN **** TO RETAIN CUSTOMERS BY FALSE CHARGES TO THEIR ACCOUNTS AND TO DE***** THE ELDERLY BY BLACMAILING THEM. In November 2021 I took out an MTN contract at the Savana Mall in Polokwane for two phones, *** and *** and opted not to insure the phones through MTN. In March 2022 MTN started charging me insurance on the phones. I started communicating with Shaed Osman at MTN claims department, whom referred me to Admintec and a Mondli (surname not mentioned in correspondence) at Admintec, which is the insurers. I requested proof that I have taken out insurance through MTN. The answers received from both MTN claims and Admintec were unsatisfactory as it seems as if not one of them understood that they must have proof of my acceptance of their insurance before they could invoice me. I never received any proof from them, in fact they referred me to MTN Savana Mall for the proof. They also did not have it. The reply I received from Admintec in January 2023 was laughable and referred to a cell phone that I gave up in 2020. Both MTN and Admintec was so useless that I approached the Consumer Goods and Services ombudsman as well as the Insurance ombudsman in January 2023, a letter which I re-sent in August 2023. Needless to say, these ANC carders did not even acknowledge receipt of any of the letters. What did I expect? I went to MTN today 1st December 2023 because my services were suspended again. I was informed that apart from the outstanding insurance I am also now three month behind instalments. This is absolutely untrue as I personally pay physically at the shop every month and have all the receipts. The reason they suddenly hit me with additional charges is that my upgrade is due in January 2024 and they know I will not renew with sharks like them and will look at a service provider which is more competent, if possible. Their action means that I am now without a phone and if I want to retain my current number with another service provider I have to pay the outstanding in full, just under R10,000. It also means that they will blacklist me if I don't come to an agreement with them. This is *********. Molegadi (surname unknown) at MTN Savana Mall Polokwane wants me to just pay "something" so that they can switch on my service again. I refuse because I don't owe anything. The directors of MTN are aware of these practises because I asked Shaed Osman to escalate it to them, but they seem to be just as useless, probably from the same mould as the ombudsmen. A fish rots from the head down. Since my problems started with MTN I have enquired from the retirees living in my complex what their experiences with MTN are. Most of them at some time or other had unexplained charges which they paid rather than go to trouble, just to keep their phones and contact with loved ones. MTN IS A THIEVING COMPANY THAT INVOICES CUSTOMERS FOR SERVICES WITHOUT PROOF THAT THE CUSTOMER AGREED TO THESE CHARGES. It will be interesting to hear from other people that had similar experiences with MTN