Can a telecom company charge bill ?

You have been lenient in dealing with this company.

While you agree to obtain a connection, company supplies you the necessary forms, collects ID/proofs from customer and after due verification and advance issues connection. Majority of the customer's do not ask/obtain the certified copy of the form signed by them, and detailed terms and conditions. Later company claims form was given. Similarly while lodging a complaint/cancelling the connection is expected to do so in writing. The lawyer is recovery agent of the company and shall have monetary gains in % if he succeeds in collecting the payment from you.

As you have come to know, about similar problem is being faced by many customers, hence you have become aware that company is not supplying any written communication to customers and taking the ill informed customers for a ride.

You may maintain that you had communicated your complaints/grievances to authorized representative of the company in person and have not been able to use the installed connection due to entire lapse at the end of the company., and demand refund of advance+ interest+ penalty ( as decided by you).

The company has to follow a process which includes telephonic reminder, reminder by letter, field visit by collection staff, notice by company, legal notice etc.

In your case nothing seems to have happened.

You may visit the local office of the company along with near and dear ones who may act as your witness, and note which other customer are harassed and make a noise, meet the BM, submit a written complaint under acknowledgment and follow up. Lodge a police complaint under acknowledgment, and ask the BM to confirm the address of recovery agent in writing. Make their life difficult. Cause some bad publicity.....etc, if you want a resolution and refund at local level.

Many of the customers who form a community adopt these tactics and solve their problems successfully, at the local level.

Those who do not form a community, end up facing harassment, from recovery agents, or at the max get relief from consumer forums.

Thanks to all.

Since then I have visited the customer care personally several times.  On first visit the customer care checked the data online and told me that my connection is already disconnected after four months of my informing to disconnect. They have billed for four months. They have not collected the modem and telephone instrument which cost 2,500/- They have totally charged 2500+1366=3866. 

I told the staff that the matter is almost going to be 1 year over. They have not visited my house and not collected the instrument and it is their laps of duty. He requested me to find out the instrument and modem in my house if it is there. If I deposited the same then he would deduct Rs.2500 out of 3866. The remaining amount of 1366,  I need not to pay as I had not used their internet.

I came back to my house and checked and finally I found the modem and telephone instrument.  Next day I again visited the customer care and deposited the same .  He gave me a receipt for that.  He also told me not to pay the remaining amount..  But I informed him that the lawyer is calling me daily on my mobile number if I have deposited the amount or not. If not he would file a case against me.  The staff told me that the lawyer is an agent of the company who recovers pending amount and for that he gets commission.  The CC staff also told me not to attend the call from lawyer.

Please suggest me, is it right not to attend the call from lawyer?

And in view of the above what measures I should take? 

Thanks,

You could have visited them with a letter and on the copy you should have persuaded them to write that instrument has been received and receipt number...........dated...........has been issued and no more amounts is to be paid, it could have benefited you. You could have recorded each visit (audio/visual).

You may meet the BM with your witnesses, create some noise level, and they can arrange a waiver and in one or more installments they can nullify the bill. Some of the customers of Airtel have tried this successfully.

You need to be firm.

Sir,

when the civil court gives conclusion as co owner  for A&B  for an ancestral property ,  if A  is entering a POA  with a DADA  for the entire  ancestral property  and creating problem for  B , then B files a criminal suit against DADA ,B could not provide witness because  DADA's influence in political / local authority,

can B ,apply for cancellation POA  given to DADA by A.

PLEASE REPLY

THANKS .

Yes, telecom companies can charge bills for their services.

I’ve dealt with unexpected telecom charges before, and I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re not sure of your next steps.

Here are some steps you can consider taking:

Communicate with the company: Respond to the lawyer's call and explain your side of the situation.

Send a written complaint: Follow the lawyer's advice and submit a written complaint to the company stating the facts of the case.                                                                                                                          Send reply to legal notice stating your side of story and attach relevant evidences with it. Menton that you'll file a case aagainst the company for fraud and mental harassment.                                                                                                             

Seek legal advice: Consult with a lawyer to understand your rights and options in this matter.

If you're still uncertain about how to respond to telecom charges or need legal guidance, visit digilawyer.ai for expert advice and real-time support, ensuring you're fully prepared to protect your rights and address the issue effectively.