Girl takes to Twitter to claim how Telenor is 'scamming' its loyal users

LAHORE - Mobile companies have stayed by us through thick and thin. Through boring nights they have provided us packages that make our nights pass by chatting away. Through boring weddings, they have provided us with data packages that make us rule the internet for hours. Would you believe if someone claims you are being scammed by your beloved mobile company?

Hija Kamran from Karachi claims that Telenor is ardently scamming its users.

Until now, I was waiting to confirm this before making any claims. And now when I have confirmed on my end, here's a short thread on how Telenor Pakistan is potentially scamming people.

Note: I've nothing against Telenor & I'm a loyal user!

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 8, 2019

I have been using Telenor since I have owned mobile phone - which could easily be over 11 years. I've had issues with network and mostly with their internet, but nothing that'd raise any eyebrows.

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 8, 2019

Hija says everytime she receives a particular message, she gets charged with 0.75 PKR for no reason. She checks her credit that has been cut automatically.

A couple days ago, someone I know highlighted that every time they get this message, 0.75 PKR gets deducted from their credit. I first thought it isn't a big amount so it's ok, but later I realised that I'm not the only person using Telenor. There are millions of subscribers.

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 8, 2019

She has an app that does not charge fee for checking balance. Therefore, there is no explanation as to where the amount goes and why?

So I downloaded Telenor app since you can check your balance on the app without any loss of credit. But I'd always end up making calls or sending SMS before the text arrived.

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 8, 2019

Telenor has 43 million subscribers in Pakistan as per their website. If everyone is getting this text, (and if my math is correct) Telenor is making around 32,250,000 PKR in one day through this text only. I don't even know what that number is in words. pic.twitter.com/kU77QxSB6A

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 8, 2019

Today, I made sure I didn't make any calls and SMS in a particular time frame before this message arrived (if this reaches Telenor, they can check their records), and it arrived. I took screenshot of my balance at 7:31 PM, I was at 466.28 PKR. pic.twitter.com/MSg4HrT0NZ

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 8, 2019

Hija claims to not be using mobile data at all, therefore, she is not content with the fact that she is getting messages implying her network's data to be active.

Hija later informed in an update that she received a call from the Telenor's tech team which explained that data activity on her number is the cause of the messages. Hijah still denied the usage of mobile data.

4:19PM: Got the call from tech team. They said my number is "attached" to 4G - couldn't quite understand this since 4G is enabled on my number but data is off on my device. He made me turn data on and off, and said he's tracking my data activity and will call again with details.

— Hija Kamran (@hijakamran) January 9, 2019

Telenor was adamant that they are ensuring "transparency".

Hi Hija, thankyou for the query. As discussed with you just now,the PKR0.75 is a charge of data activation in absence of an internet bundle triggering the said SMS to keep you informed of your usage & ensuring transparency. The charges are PKR0.75/64kbps. https://t.co/T3nZ4tWIg3

— Telenor Pakistan (@telenorpakistan) January 9, 2019

Telenor further insisted on helping Hija find a solution but did not admit to any fault at their part.

Our current offline coordination with you will further illustrate your detailed usage to satisfy your query. We at Telenor Pakistan care for our customers and are fully committed to providing services transparently by keeping the valued customer informed about their usage&charges

— Telenor Pakistan (@telenorpakistan) January 9, 2019

When DailyPakistan contacted the cellular giant for the clarification. The company proposed a solution for their valued customers.

Clarification:

"In order to provide services transparently by keeping its valued customers informed about their usage. In the absence of a data, bundle users are charged PKR 0.75/64kbps and an SMS is sent to keep the users informed about this deduction.