Complaint Details

Status	:	Un-Resolved
Complaint No	:	0005876/2013
Category	:	Telecom
Date	:	17-08-2013
Subject Line	:	Airtel collection agents harassing with calls and emails
Complainant	:	Prasanth Jose
Address	:	#20
Complainee	:	Bharti Airtel
Address	:	no.55,divyasree towers,bannerghatta main road

Complaint Details
Dear Sir,

I had an Airtel fixed-line and broadband connection 08040941523 with account number 15785432 for which I requested a closure of service 4 months ago. I have used the above service for almost three years and paid all the bills on time.

On 3rd April 2013, I made a request for the closure of the service. 44561101 was the reference number given to me for the service termination request. I was told to wait for 10 days to from them get back to me and complete the procedure. I have not used the service after 4th Apr 2013 and physically disconnected the phone and modem. When Airtel realized that I am not using the service they got back to me only after a month and started pursuing me to continue their service. I used to get at least two calls a day from various persons requesting me to continue using the service. When I insisted on terminating the service they finally agreed to do the same.

By then they had disabled my online account and I could not pay the last month's bill from 05-Mar-2013 to 04-Apr-2013 on line. Rs.1302.61 was the amount due including the late payment charges. On 26-Jun-2013, one of the collection agents of Airtel sent me an e-mail to pay the dues. They agreed to come to my home on the next day to collect the money.

On 27-Jun-2013 one of the collection agents named Hari Prasad came to my home. However, from the bills he brought with him I realized that Airtel had charged rental for the month May. The connection closure request was may on 04-Apr-2013 and as per TRAI rules Airtel should have terminated the connection before 10th-Apr-2013. I brought this to the attention of the collection agent. He in turn called the collection center and confirmed that I have to pay only the April bill (Rs.1302) and rental for a few days. So, I paid Rs.1500 to the collection agent and he gave me a receipt with serial no:1770219. He gave me a contact number 08041725882 (Harini) in case of any clarification. When I asked for a connection termination letter they said I would be getting it in a few days. They also informed me that the Phone and modem will be collected by Airtel later.

After this, Airtel stopped contacting me. I have not received any bills from them after the month May.

However, from the last 2 weeks (from 5th-Aug-2013 onwards) I started getting harassing calls from some unknown third parties claiming to be Airtel collection agents asking me to pay the outstanding. Different calls claim different amount starting from Rs.2000 to Rs.8000. The last call came from 08049061666. The persons who call me talk to me as if I have done some crime. They simply don't want to listen to me or believe me when I say I have paid all the dues. On Friday, I got a mail warning me about legal action if I don't pay the outstanding Rs. 2522. I have attached the mail here.

I have attached the last bill I received from Airtel as well as the photo of the receipt given by the collection agent.

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