Matrix Cellular Complaints & Reviews

Last morning I attended a Lok Adalat (People's court) at the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority in connection with my case against Matrix Cellular. I was aghast at the manner in which it was conducted. The retired Judge handling the cases seemed completely under the control of the man from Matrix Cellular. Not a single person was given a chance to explain his case. One is just asked how much he is willing to pay and the compromise price is decided by Matrix. There were at least 40 people in the room who had been "summoned" for the Lok Adalat. Very few knew their rights and Matrix was taking psychological advantage of the "fear" in peoples minds about being summoned to court for the first time. It is the same fear that Matrix uses to sell their sim cards when people are flying out of the country for the first time - "Will I be able to connect with a friend or relative the moment I land in this strange land?" There were many people in court yesterday who were being taken advantage of. And it was certainly not a Lok Adalat. It was a Matrix Adalat ! Completely controlled by Matrix. With some old retired judge just nodding his head. Any Judge worth his salt would only have to do a cursory check on the net to find that Matrix has hundreds of cases of fraud and cheating filed on Consumer Complaint Forums and on travel websites (check Trip Advisor, or www.mouthshut.com or www.consumercomplaints.in or just Google for Matrix Cellular complaints). I have personally counted over 500 cases of cheating and fraud. So how does one combat this large scale scam? Who is the relevant authority? I have mailed TRAI over two weeks ago and not got a response. Could someone, anyone, please give me suggestions on what we can do to force Matrix to bring more transparency into their billing systems? http://www.consumercomplaints.in/matrix-cellular-b100272/page/4 http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g294265-i1748-k4305504-o10-NOT_recommended_m...⇄ http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Matrix-Mobile-Operator-review-pmqtumqmls

Hi, Yesterday Matrix Cellular team swapped my credit card and charged me unauthorized amount with out my information even they don't inform me about my bills which should be closed in month of the march as per the billing cycle. They don't have the transaction details this is a Fraud Case please be aware about the matrix. Regards, Deepak Kumar

Hello, My name is Kiran Kumar Avula, around a year ago I was to thailand on a personal trip from august 2nd to september 1st and as I was in serach for a Mobile Operator and have contacted MATRIX. They don't want to explain the plans on phone and 2 excutives have come home to explain about the plans and ultimately sell the sim. I gave them my airline tickets and clearly told them my travelling dates and I told them clearly I need only data usage service with unlimited data plan in Prepaid, however they said they don't have unlimited plan in prepaid and I can get it in postpaid. I prima facie refused to buy telling them my past experience with postpaid connections and they said I need not worried as I will not get any extra bill unless I make a call and the connection will get expired after 30days. I told them they might say that I've called someone and charge me unduly, so I don't want the call option as I'll use voip service, I want only data service, he said that's not possible and assured me that i won't get any extra bill and data is unlimited. I refused a lot however after a long conversation and with their tricks I got convinced and said ok I'll buy only if the service is in line with what they have informed. I told them that I don't want to have any disturbance again with fake dues like it has happend to me in past with other services, and I told them I won't pay even if I get 1rupee extra on my bill and you're responsible for that and he agreed to it and gave me sim taking 2500 as deposit (I was expecting I'll get remaining money after the fee deduction). Before I pay I even ask him, when the plan cost is 1250 and it gonna get expired in 30days, why do I have to give you 2500 now? He said "This is for security deposit sir, you will get your remaining when you're back from your trip and return the sim cards" When I was in thailand, data was not working and I've called the executive and told him data wasn't activated yet and complaining about the call charges and he agreed that he will pay for that calls and gave someother guy's number and he let someone else call me and solved the issue and I was able to connect to the internet. while I'm using I got some message saying "You're recommended not to use data services on your phone for making VOIP calls, accessing navigation apps, mobiles hotspots as it leads to excessive data usage." seriously? the only reason someone buys a international sim with data pack to use only for VOIP and navigation maps and excessive data usage on it? anyway, I've called the executive and told him about the message and argued with him you told me something when I was home and what is this message when I'm finally here, he said that's normal, please ignore that message, you're on unlimited pack so need not to worry about, so I said ok and was using my service casually. When I came back home on august 3 and check my bill, I saw there's a due Rs. 900+ and I was surprised that I was unduly charged. Just because I didn't wanted this to be an issue, I paid that bill. To my surprise I got another bill which says Rs. 41000+. What the heck is this? Now their excuse is my connection was started from 1st agust to 30th august. How can you start the service on the same day I took sim card when I'm still at home and stop the service when I'm still in thailand? I clearly told you my travel dates and you have my airtickets. Even if 30th august is the ending date, It supposed to be stopped as said, but why I was still charged this fake bill? This is the dirty tactics of this company. This is not fair business, making lies, convincing, making them buy and doing this. As I said I won't pay the bill that was wrongly pushed on me. I just wanted to let you know so this issue won't happend to any other customer you have. I was sending them so many emails to solve this issue, they don't even care to give any reply but bothers keep on sending emails, messages and calls on phone to pay bill. They agreed that it's their staff's fault, but still want me to pay the bill because I used their service. Now they have sent me a legal notice. My Points of defense 1) Why you have changed bill period only for me. 2) On what basis they you have allowed a Credit limit of 41K for a student. 3) Why terms & Conditions were mailed subsequently and not at the time of taking connection. I am going to Contact TRAI and I am ready to go to any extent. We will also be filing a case in Consumer Forum. Those who are in plan to choose this company's product, think first. Their aim is to bankrupt once you take their sim with hidden charges and other things. You will be surprised like me and others when you return from trip, you won't get your deposit back and they won't solve the case. they will just make your life complicated threatening. When I google about this company now, I'm not the only one who's in this situation. For those who're facing the same problem with this company, please help me. Thank you.

Hi Guys,

Please don’t use matrix in your international travel. If you want just use this for 1 or 2 days then it is fine otherwise throw this SIM after use.

They have cheated me.For 1 month I got 10, 000 Rs bill which no body cant expect.

Data plan is activated automatically but they didn’t intimate me while giving this card .

For data only they have charged Rs 3000.

Also they charge higher conversion rate of dollar into rupees.

They have taken credit card’s photo copy and charging automatically from the card without listening/resolving issues.I am really disappointed.

My humble request to all please don’t use Matrix SIM.

Dear Matrix,

If you are reading this then let me tell you that I will pull you guys in legal things because you have taken amount from my card without listening to me.

I had taken SIM card for Australia and NZ for my parents. We had taken the card only for receiving incoming calls which can be seen clearly by the usage pattern in 3 of the SIM card. On one NZ number, once again Matrix has wrongfully billed us for calling some unknown numbers. We have confirmed that the numbers reflecting does not belong to any of our known contacts but Matrix insists that we have called these numbers. Matrix has done this in the past too when I had taken a SIM card for Dubai and they had charged me 22, 000 rs as bill. That time also they insisted that I must have used the data services thats why it is reflecting in the bill. Now after one year, during the discussion for the current matter, Matrix accepted that there was issue with their parent network. This is the response from Matrix- Just wanted to add that in the earlier case of Dubai, there was an issue with charges for data usages at the parent network's end and the same were reversed for all impacted customers, however, at no point was there an issue with the call records. Matrix seems to have this consistent problem of wrongful bill and they are just not ready to accept it. They always put the blame on the customers and are not ready to check if there is some internal problem. This wrongful billing causes lot of stress to the customers, spoils their vacation and leads to lot of harassment when we are trying to make a case with Matrix. Their idea of dealing with customer complaints is going and deleting the customer's negative posts from the social media websites like facebook instead of addressing the problem. Some lessons learnt from my two bad experiences with Matrix 1. Don't take Matrix Sim cards if you travel abroad. Its better to take a local sim from the country you are visiting 2. If you decide to take their sim card, remember their cards have preactivated GPRS services and they will end up giving you a huge bill irrespective of whether you have used the services or not . So ensure you have got it deactivated beforehand. Their marketing personal will say it is not activated unless customer requests for it but it is preactivated. So check carefully 3. Clear all the saved numbers of the previous users. They don't even bother to do this internally before giving the card to the next user. This will lessen the chances o[censored]nknown numbers appearing on your bill. 4.Most important. Don't share your credit card details with Matrix. Its better to give a deposit instead of credit card number because they take the money out immediately as soon as the bill is generated even if you have raised a dispute. Please share this with others so that their vacation experiences don't get spoiled by taking Matrix

I took matrix sim card with student plans for my 2 months US travel. Initially they told me call rates will be 45 cents per minute to India. When I got the bill it was charged like 89cents per minute. I got a huge bill of 19k. No response when I enquired regarding this.

No service still charged after returning sim card again charged for the same
Mob no:[protected] sim no:[protected]

I have bill & receipt of submission of the sim card but still i have been charged for not returning sim card when i was telling your executives to return my first charges...They assure me to do that when they will get this sim card back.

And after returning your sim card you charged me rs380 for the same...Ridiculous...And fraud...

I was shifting to USA on this 4th Jan thus didnt enable my ISD and thought to take any pre-paid or post paid card at airport for next few days. My friends who burnt his pocket from martix warned me to not use matrix but unfortunately other vendor didnt have the microsim at that moment. So i went to matrix and got the trap when executive told me that i can take 1 month plan with cost of $15 only with 349 setup fee+tax. i was fine to pay 1500 for a no. which will work as soon i land. i had 150 local min free for incoming and outgoing as a deal. now when i got the bill it reads Rs. 2891 and just for 1 day they have charged me another $15. there is no call details in the bill and site sucks to open even in US network. - for all US travelers, you need not to buy any card in India. just land in US and go to any store for pre-paid card and get it by showing your passport. no need for ssn or any other thing, very simple, ppl will misguide you

Hi All, Please DO NOT BUY A MATRIX PRODUCT WHEN TRAVELING OVERSEAS. You may be better off in getting a pre paid cell phone with a local operator. The service at Matrix is very mis leading. Too expensive then they claim it to be in and their service is pathetic. Wring billing to top it all. Do not trust them. My suggestion go for AT & T in US or operators like Vodafone or T Mobile when traveling in Europe. Matrix is a bogus company and is cheating people. Their reps at bangalore Airport chase you down and have you sign in a hurry because you need to board your flight and do not give you a chance to go through the whole contract. Most times, the phone either does not work or your data plan does not work disabling you from using cheaper services like Skype etc. This is big cheating

I have used Matrix for my US trip. The handset were not charging after I reached US. Upon contacting Matrix, I was told to buy a handset for less than 25 dollar.

After searching all around (in an alien place), I could find some handset for around 35 USD and I bought it. After returning India, Matrix paid only 25 USD.

I had incurred taxi charges of searching phone around 30 USD which I did not claim at all.

This is a fraud company and their business practices are bad.

Cant they properly check their handset before giving to their customers. Do not use theie services.

They will be better off, if they improve their services rather than advertising.

My interaction with Matrix have started, when have met with Ms Megha Chauhan, business development executive with your company, while I was there at the VFS -UK for my passport collection. As promised with her, I been to the Matrix office at International Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi-110019 and have met with Ms Smitha S. - senior Business Development Executive, who has provided me a SIM, which was to be used in my Blackberry device for UK and Schenegen States. I have been told by Ms Smitha S. that voice calling is not allowed on this facility but unlimited surfing, sending and receiving mail is permitted for the whole month in the above mentioned countries. She has made me understand that this facility is going to cost me Rs. 2, 999.00 all inclusive and there were no frill and fringes or any other hidden charges applicable with this deal. This deal was for one full month starting from 10/11/2013 to 09/12/2013. She has had made me believe that in case of any problem, while abroad I should get hold of her to sorting it out but actually it did not happen, as promised. As a matter of fact it was all rubbish and a typical misleading sales talk. I rang her once from the UK for talking care of my non-functioning blackberry but she seemed to be quite blunt and I have told to get in touch with their regular complaints section instead. Surprisingly, the bill which I have received through email says that the billed amount for this facility, which I am supposed to pay, is of Rs.17, 085.04??? though been told at the very off-set that I need not to pay anything else except, what has already been deposited in cash Rs. 2, 999/- on 21/10/2013. Their bill # MUK3331378 has got all the wrong information in. It was not at all a voice plan and was meant for data services only to make my blackberry run and moreover payment option was in cash and not through the cheque or credit card. Regretfully, my experience with the Matrix sales guys is very much disappointing. YES, one gentleman Mr. Asif Siddiqui in the Matrix Cellular (International) Pvt. Ltd.’s team did really help a lot and has given personalised touch and care, whenever I was in need on two occasions at least, once in the UK and the second time, while in Cologne, Germany. I sincerely appreciate services of this fellow and guys like him should be treated like gem in the crown. Customer’s Name : Mohammad Arif ALI Mobile number : +44 [protected]

Hi. I had requested to Matrix at Bainglore airport for prepaid card.and I paid Rs. 2000 there to executives. After coming back to india, I came to know that it is postpaid card. and bill generated is Rs. 4000+. Matrix executive at Banglore airport never said that its postpaid card. I am calling them several times, but nobody is responding to my issue. Please never take Matrix SIM card. They do fraud with people. I am really frustated by taking this sim card. Please take action against them.

this organization is a cheat. they provide wrong information to customers & then charge lot of amounts from customers. This organization should not be allowed to sell their products. THEY ARE BIG TIME CHEATERS... THEY SHOULD BE BLACKLISTED...

This is to bring to the notice of everybody who is traveling abroad that do not use matrix. I was sold a plan for the us for an ipad which did not work even for a second as the guy at the mumbai airport was just out to make a quick business and in his enthusiasm had sold me the wrong data card.

Despite regular contact with the customer care dept while i was in the us i an being billed an amount of 3800/- for incoming text messages. The sim card i purchased is a microsim of an apple ipad and is not compatible with the normal sim that i need for my nokia e 72.

So who has used the card?

My advice is: for emergencies, purchase a lebara at the airport and then either top it up (It is prepaid - you get value out of it. Can be purchased in small top-ups) or once you are in the country you can purchase a local sim without much difficulty.

I am willing to join anybody who wishes to sue matrix.

Airport representative misguided on plan. Never mentioned of free incoming plans. Secondly never mentioned about incoming SMS charges. they gave me plane of $30 voice with 300 minutes free incoming + $30 data for 14 days. The bill is Rs 18, 000+ for just 10 days (local US usage alone of Rs 11000) In the middle of the trip (6th Nov) i see that my mobile is not working. Leaving me no option, I had to use hotel room phone ($150) in US to call your customer care to India since my matrix mobile connection was stopped without my consent. Representative on phone in the morning EST time told me that due to high usage, my connection was stopped. However in one hour the phone will be active. It took the whole day. • Out of sheer harassment, I have migrated to prepaid plan with AT&T here for the rest of my business trip ( which is so much better with only $2 or Rs 120 UNLIMITED PER DAY CALL WITHIN US). If we compare it what Matrix has charged me ( Rs 14, 00 per day) It is insanely HIGH and FAULTY. CAN I FILE A REPORT AGAINST THEM. WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO GO TO CONSUMER COURT FOR THIS.

I had purchased my matrix card during my china visit in may, 2013. Immediately after my return, the due payment was paid to them through my credit card issued by hsbc bank.

Today, i received messages from my hsbc bank that matrix has again charged my credit card for amounts of rs. 4354.22 twice at 1210 hrs and 12 20 hrs.
Both the above transactions are fraudulent and i have not used the services at all.
In june earlier, they have charged second time erroneously and after challenging them, they refunded the same.
I request you to take necessary action by strongly condemning the fraud and compensate me for the same.
Thanks & regards
Srikanth

Rspected Sir

last jan 2013 we had gone to out of cuntry, those time ur sells excucitive called us about mtrix sim and its talk plans,
he told us ur plan in indian ruppies and ur compny billed us in out side cuntry which we had gone.

number of times we talk to ur recovery augent about our miss guidestion. and those time ur exucutive also treny. So
that we never paid our bill,
and every month ur new exucutive meet us and we told him about story,

Totally disgusted with Matrix Cellular They are the biggest Frauds and bang your head against wall in case you are expecting any support or response. Date: 13th Aug to 19th Aug, Thailand Matrix Phone No: [protected] Bill No. : MT366461 Bill Date : 04-Sep-13 Matrix company is a bunch of non responsive, illiterates. I am under a debt of Rs 37000 because of automatic messages which went from my international sim card. Out of Rs. 37000 my actual usage was less than even a 1000 Rs and and international texts were for around Rs. 36000. I dont even need to mention that this is an issue but from last one month i am fighting and wrote to many people in matrix with no response. TOTALLY DISGUSTED I dont know who can help me here as I am completely out pf place and Matrix has already deducted amount from my credit card. I request everyone not to use Matrix services, find any other alternative but not matrix cards. This company should die. Rahul +91-[protected]

I traveled to Canada with an international SIM card from Matrix. I was convinced that the plan is cheaper than regular international roaming and there are no extra charges. Upon receiving a bill of Rs. 27700+, I looked up the contract letter carefully to detect a lot of gray and hidden costs. Apart from that: 1. According to the contract agreement, the currency exchange rate is to be calculated on the billing date (Sep-07). The maximum rate on that day has been 1 CAD = 62.6 INR and not 65.9 as has been calculated. 2. They never mentioned anything called "fixed charges" in the agreement which has been charged at CAD 40. 3. The contract mentions a service charge/ surcharge of 12 % which has been calculated over the total. However, each individual call has also been subjected to the same surcharge which was not mentioned anywhere. In effect, I have been charged twice at 12%. 4. The "Education Cess" and "Higher Education Cess" were not mentioned anywhere either. I was told over phone by one of their representatives that my credit card won't be charged without authentication, which was grossly violated as well.

Hello, I visited Spain during last week of September. I used Matrix SIM card during my travel. I was specifically told that I would not be charged any amount for incoming and also outgoing as long as I give a missed call. To my utter surprise, I was charged for Incoming and that too in Pound converted Indian Rupees. I was given a UK number as opposed to a Spain specific number. When asked why this number, the executive, Mr. Ramesh, mentioned that it did not matter which number as far as the number is from a Euro region all my incoming will be free and no charge for outgoing as far as it was missed call. My bill shows charges for calls for duration as low as 0, 02s and surcharges charged separately for this. When I raised this concern with Matrix, all of a sudden all the executives and supervisor are conveniently on leaves or do not answer their mobile phone. WHEN THEY HAVE TO DEBIT MY CREDIT CARD THEY ARE VERY VERY PROMPT, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO RESOLUTION FOR THEIR OWN MISTAKES THEY RUN AWAY. THE MOST IRRESPONSIBLE UNPROFESSIONAL TEAM I HAVE EVER MET. I suggest no one use their services as they are in the Business of cheating fellow Indians.