David vs Goliath - Vodacom vs a de*****ed client

Last week received a letter from attorneys representing Vodacom this is after it has taken me nearly two years since starting a process rearding ***** on my account in June 2018 after I was ********ly debited when someone upgraded my 3G account which cost me about R126 to around R2500 a month and got two brand new phones. My bank managed to reverse these debits except for the one that had already gone through which is what Vodacom owes me which is R2395.53. Below is a trail of my hellopeter complaints in addition to emails and call. Sibongile K

1 reviews | Active since Oct 2018

05 Oct 2018, 13:00 ***** victim left high and dry while being harassed by the very same Vodacom

I realised that someone upgraded my 3G line when it was about to expire, from a bill of about R126 to more than R2500 debited on my account for two months. I was charged for the upgrade costs and for two S9 that were taken without proper due diligence being conducted by Vodacom. I have wasted a lot of time and omey trying to sort this, went to two stores already, ended up at the Head office service centre in Midrand on a Sunday. I submitted my affidavits and everything that was required, this was in June.I followed up in July only to find out my case was never attended to. Followed up several times, people saying the have actioned their parts other departments needs to actions further. Mr Voda don’t your systems talk to each, accounts frozen and under investigation but still being harrassed by our collections department, what do you call that? I want my money back and if you dare put a default next to my name for non-payment “nizohlangana nembila zithutha ngesiXhosa” Worst worst service from a cellphone company ever in SA, especially when you are a victim of ***** that managed to happen within their own systems which are supposed to be tight, we are talking about a listed and global company. The reason I am coming here is that from dealing with ***** and Retention, I have now been given a non-existent number. In desperation I ended up making up complaints and enquiry email addresses.

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Business reply Vodacom's reply: 05 Oct 2018, 14:05

Dear Customer,

Thank you for making us aware of your complaint.

Kindly be advised that a consultant will make contact with you in due course to assist with your query.

***Please note*** Beware of phishing ****s.

Vodacom will not contact you via Whatsapp to request your personal details

Regards, Vodacom Consumer Website Team

Business reply Vodacom's reply: 17 Oct 2018, 13:00

Dear Customer

Thank you for the time and effort taken to voice your dissatisfaction with our office. It is with the cooperation and feedback from valued clients such as yourself that we are able to identify any areas of improvement within our organization.

Attempts to contact you have been unsuccessful.

Please note that our Forensics Analysis division is currently still attending to your ***** enquiry. A representative from the relevant department will be in touch to provide further feedback as soon as it is available.

Regards Consumer Website Team

Private Reply SK Sibongile K: 04 Dec 2018, 16:45

I am still eagerly waiting for your said calls and an update as I have not been given an update BUT the letters from collections are still coming and the bill is getting higher and higher, just got another one today which reminded me to come back here cos I do not know what to do. Who is going to believe that you have been trying to get hold of me, when you cannot get hold of me how about sending an email at the address where you are still sending me the statements and letters of demand. Vodacom, all I want is for you to clear my name admit that you gave to S5's to someone else basically you upgraded my account without my consent. You will ensure that I am not listed with the credit agencies if am not listed already at this stage and to close the 3G account I have with you. I requested to close this account but I was told that I can't because its under investigation but for a listed company does it really take 6 months to investigate? Since July really??? I feel vulnerable and unprotected to say the least.

SK Sibongile K: 08 Jul 2019, 16:18

The date today is the 8th of July 2019, a year has gone by since I lodged queries with you. I still receive overdue accounts regarding this account. The only thing that has stopped are the debits on my account and calls from your debt collectors, I hope that this hasn't gone as a judgement against my name. I am still awaiting a refund from you guys for all the charges done during the upgrade on an upgrade not being done by me which were debited from my account. That is my cash and my money, a listed company cannot take from an individual and not refund. You could deduct by mistake before your investigations but not when you have had a case in your handled by your ***** and forensics dept for nearly a year and a half. Please note that I want you to close the accounts as I had honoured my 24mths contract on the original 3G account. I am not interested in being your customer at all. Why am I still receiving invoices?

The message below is from 4 Dec 2018: I am still eagerly waiting for your said calls and an update as I have not been given an update BUT the letters from collections are still coming and the bill is getting higher and higher, just got another one today which reminded me to come back here cos I do not know what to do. Who is going to believe that you have been trying to get hold of me, when you cannot get hold of me how about sending an email at the address where you are still sending me the statements and letters of demand. Vodacom, all I want is for you to clear my name admit that you gave to S5's to someone else basically you upgraded my account without my consent. You will ensure that I am not listed with the credit agencies if am not listed already at this stage and to close the 3G account I have with you. I requested to close this account but I was told that I can't because its under investigation but for a listed company does it really take 6 months to investigate? Since July really??? I feel vulnerable and unprotected to say the least.