Bharati Airtel Limited — Unsolicited Promo SMS

Address:

Mumbai Suburban, Maharashtra

I am a Airtel customer since 2004 and currently using Airtel Mobile Prepaid service. Since past 6 months, I have been receiving Promo SMS (Love jokes, Health tips, etc) to my Mobile number without being registered for such service and every SMS I received, an amount have been deducted from by balance credit amount. Twice I made a complaint to the Executive at your Customer Care Centre in Sector 17, Vashi and also registered a telephonic complaint through Dial 999. Despite repeated complaints, I am still receiving Promo SMS and the amount is being deducted on daily basis.

Recently on 3 October 2010 I recharged my credit balance for Rs.120 with Rs.106 talk time. At that time, I had a balance of Rs.9, but this amount was not credited to my balance after recharge. On 4 October 2010, I again lodged a complaint with the Executive at your Customer Care Centre in Sector 17, Vashi and also registered a telephonic complaint through Dial 999, who informed that this service is being deactivated with immediate effect and the amount deducted will be credited to my mobile account within 48 hours. Even after giving oral assurance, I have been receiving Promo SMS and the amount is being deducted on daily basis.

On 6 October 2010, I again informed the Executive at your Customer Care Centre in Sector 17, Vashi and he informed that it will take 45 days to stop the Promo SMS and will not credit the amount that was deducted.

I do not understand on what basis the Airtel can send the Promo SMS without a request from the customer. I would like to know what rights the Airtel have to send such Promo SMS and deduct the amount without the consent of the customer. This is a sort of daylight burglary and I do not expect such exploitation from a reputed company like Airtel, which claims to be transparent in their business.

Despite assurance and registration for DND, this menace is continued and I think this is the common practice to loot the customers.