Getting annoyed seeing your telecom operator has activated some Value Added Services (VAS) like hello-tunes, miss call alerts etc on your number without your consent and being charged for that. Next time don’t waste your time trying to get connected to the customer service executive, you can now register complaint about mistakenly activated VAS on your mobile numbers by dialing 155223 which is applicable to all operators.
If consumer register the complaint within 24 hours by calling 155223, telecom operators will have to fully refund the amount charged for such activation of services. Consumers who have been using any value added services beyond 24 hours can also request for deactivation of service by calling the specific number. Telecom operator then will have to deactivate service within four hours of getting the complaint, but customer will not be eligible for refund in such cases.
The common complaint number has been put in place all telecom operators jointly after Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) refused to give operators any leeway in such cases from February 2. TRAI is also pushing operators to inform customers about the new facility through SMS, calls and newspaper Ads.
On July 4, 2011 TRAI issued direction for telecom operators in the country to obtain explicit consent of consumers “through consumer originated SMS or e-mail or FAX or in writing within 24 hrs of activation of the value added service and charge the consumer only if the confirmation is received from him” for subscribing it. Telecom operators objected to this direction and estimated Rs 12,000 crore revenue loss and over 10,000 job loss on complying. After failing to convince the regulator, industry body representing GSM players COAI approached Telecom Tribunal (TDSAT) but lost and give operators three months time (till February 2) to comply with the direction.