Idea Cellular Ltd. — Number ported to Aircel without the consent of the owner

Address:

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Hi,

I, Partha Pratim Mallik, would like to inform you that my number, has been ported out to Aircel, without my consent and the current owner claims to be Mr. Ravi. I do not know him at all, apart from the fact that he claims to be the rightful owner of the number. Incidentally, I have been using this number since 2006, as evident from the following details:

Customer Name: Partha Pratim Mallik
Number Activation Date: 07/12/2006
Mobile No: [protected]

I understand that to port a number to a new network provider, one has to send an sms, PORTOUT to 1900, from his own number. Consequently, a UPC code is generated, which has to be submitted to the new connection provider, that one wishes to switch to. Additionally, the number cannot to be ported to another network service provider if there is an outstanding (billed/unbilled) pending with the current service provider. Also, a change in the ownership of the number requires suitable documents from both the original and the prospective owners.

Surprisingly, neither have I sent any such sms, nor have I shown any interest to port my number. To add to my confusion, a stranger is using this number without any substantial document submission from my end. I still have a pending unbilled amount of 1308.01 in my account.

Before I seek your assistance, it would not be out of place here to inform you that I have already spoken to the Idea customer care time and again, for some solution or logical explanation, which was completely futile. Exhausted I now write to you. My consecutive mails and calls to the IDEA Nodal Officer, Ms. Padmavathi, has also yielded no result.

I have had to suffer losses both on the personal and professional front, since this number has been used by me for the past 6 years and is as good as a part of my identity.

The following is the latest response received on Sat, Mar 12, 2011 at 6:00 PM:

Dear Mr.Pratim,
Greetings from Idea cellular, A.P.
We regret the inordinate delay in replying to your mail.
This is to inform you that, we have taken note of your concern with regard to port out your idea number [protected] with out your consent.
We request you to allow us some time as we are investigating upon the same with Aircel and will update you upon the status within 5 working days.
Thanks & Regards,
Bhavani G
Nodal Officers Desk

I now turn to the Indian Consumer Complaints Forum for support and reprieve from this problem.

Looking forward to an early and positive response.