>As per prevailing practices:
-Customer can pay extra say Rs.35/ for itemized bill.
-Customer can register at web site for ‘My Account’ and download itemized bills of last 12 months, free of any charge……………..98
-Customer can lodge complaint by email, by phone, by letter, fax with customer care, Nodal Officer, then Appellate Authority………….
To get a response in writing.
{ Although as per attached notification by TRAI the bill is to be supplied FREE the telecom companies are exploiting lacunae as it is not mentioned by TRAI ‘FREE Itemized BiIl’ and are charging the customer. If someone can provide detailed response on it we shall be thankful.}
> Pick up the printed version of the plan sold to you and details of charges under this plan, in home circle and while in roaming.
Or download from web site or demand in writing.
As per guidelines the company has to mention the details of the plan offered and charges in a form/format and customer has to sign it.
Demand copy of all forms signed by you while applying for connection e.g. SEF, Bill Plan………………….etc. You may be surprised that company may decline or adopt tactics to supply the copy.
>Did you provide copy of Pan Card also?
Customer should not provide copy of Pan Card and obtain copy under seal and signature of all form signed by him, and must obtain printed version of the scheme offered to customer.
>Have you deposited any security, if yes has the company provided any receipt and is it showing the amount of security in bill?
It is noted that almost all telecom companies are collecting security without issuing any acknowledgment and many of them e.g. Vodafone does not show it in Bill also.
> Has the company issued any complaint number/Transaction id to you?
Customer must obtain it.
You shall be surprised to find that at 198 although call is recorded the CCE , may not write the words as in your complaint. He/she may modify and write in a manner as explained by company to him/her in order to keep the complaints at low level.
Try by asking them to read the complaint verbatim in English as written by them………………..
> Each company assigns a credit limit. If exceeded it may ask for interim payment.
Approach the nearest Airtel Office (RO) with crowd of acquaintances, well wishers, understand the bill and if it is correct make the payment for actual usage, obtain waiver if any under seal and signature of BM, obtain latest bill to date and make full ands final payment under proper receipt, obtain NDC and NOC and close the case.
Avoid these companies and their gimmicks as much as possible.
You may find the attachments useful;
*Telecom Regulatory Authority of India: Consumers’ Handbook on Telecommunications
*Free bill copy advice by TRAI
*Consumer Protection Guidelines