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Unusual mobile upgrades

The complaint
Perry* was sold a post-paid that he didn't want or understand.
The outcome
Returned the unwanted tablet and waived all the associated charges

The issue

Perry*, a 75-year-old pensioner, approached Silver Comm to purchase a new plan for a mobile SIM only plan. He said he had limited experience with technology and his only source of income was his pension. 

Perry told the salesperson that his old plan cost $36 per month and he wanted the new plan to be around the same price. However, he was ultimately sold a post-paid plan that included the latest model handset. The plan also included a tablet, which Perry says he did not want or ask for. 

When Perry received his first bill, instead of paying around $36 per month as he wanted, he found he was now paying $161. Perry said the salesperson did not fully explain the costs to him. If the costs had been properly explained he said he would not have agreed to them because he could not afford them. 

The outcome

Perry complained to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman. At conciliation, Silver Comm agreed to allow Perry to return the unwanted tablet and waived all the associated charges. Silver Comm also agreed to accept the return of the mobile phone and removed the outstanding mobile plan charges because  it agreed Perry was not put on an appropriate plan for his financial needs.

*Name of individuals, organisations and companies have been changed

Billing and payments
Customer service
Mobile phone

How we've helped other customers

Carlo was placed into further hardship after falling victim to a scam

Complaint
Carlo, a full-time student with limited income, was scammed into buying three mobile phones, leaving him with a $3,200 debt. He contacted BranchTel for help as he couldn’t afford to pay off the debt, causing him significant distress and hardship.
Outcome
During conciliation, BranchTel initially offered Carlo a payment plan of $180 per month, which he couldn’t afford. After raising concerns about this, BranchTel agreed to waive all of Carlo’s debt due to his severe financial hardship.
Mobile phone

Tamin Tutoring was charged an unfairly high early cancellation fee

Complaint
Tamin Tutoring signed up for an NBN service and equipment bundle with BlockTel but experienced frequent faults with slow and dropped video calls and inconsistent phone calls. When they tried to cancel due to these issues, BlockTel demanded over $7,000 for early termination.
Outcome
Tamin Tutoring didn’t want to pay this cancellation fee because the service never worked properly. After complaining to our office, the parties agreed that Tamin Tutoring could exit its contract and only pay 40 per cent of the cost of the cancellation fees.
Home phone
Internet
Mobile phone

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The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from all nations of this land.