I've also had my phone stolen

j_miller

I am in exactly the same position except that after my mobile was stolen the
thieves took it to Zimbabwe and ran up a bill for £6000 in a month. I was
totally unaware of it. Orange are now forcing me to pay the bill and have
threatened me with court action.
They are also quoting me the terms & Conditions.
I would like to know how you got on?
Were you sucessful in getting the bill reduced.?

I would also really appreciate your views on this and any suggestions as to
what I can do.

This is effecting everyone in the UK with a mobile. People just don't
realise that they are liable.





=Stav]Hey guys.

I'm posting this on behalf of my sister who's having a little difficulty to say the least in getting Vodafone to play fair with her. As the title suggests, my sister had her phone stolen recently in Barcelona (the strap of her bag was actually cut, allowing the thief to snatch it from her) and before she could get it blocked and reported as stolen, about £1200 worth of calls were made from it.

Here's what she says:

"I had my bag stolen in Spain. Tried to call Vodafone from Spain to cancel the contract but had no joy getting through. Tried to contact them when I was back but there was no reply; had no access to a phone for 24hrs as I was travelling the country and without cash due to stolen wallet, and finally got thru to them 48 hours later. By this point £1200 worth of calls had been made on my phone and Vodafone are holding me liable for the 24hrs when I couldn't call them saying I should have used a pay phone/borrowed a phone from a friend.
What can I do???????????? I'm very scared and broke. Any advice appreciated!"

Her phone was stolen on a Saturday night, and she tried to report it on the sunday evening, only to find out the lines were closed (despite her seemingly being on hold for 20 minutes). At the next opportunity she had (Monday evening) she tried to contact them again, only to find the lines shut again. She finally got through on Tuesday morning and had the phone cancelled.

For a week or 2, Vodafone seemingly lied to her, stating a replacement phone was on the way. She has now been told that no phone will be forthcoming until she pays the outstanding £1200 bill!

After my sister obviously complained Vodafone agreed to waive the cost of the calls made until Monday morning (about £170), but are insisting she pays the £1000 for the calls made on the Monday. Their arguement is that she had all day on Monday to cancel the phone. She didn't. At her first opportunity to contact them then she did, and the lines were shut.

Vodafone obviously know the phone was stolen, and that my sister didn't suddenly out of the blue rack up £1200 worth of calls in 2 days, they're just being !!!!!!.

If anyone can offer any advice on the best tactics she should employ to get Vodafone to relent, see sense and waive the charges, my sister (and I) would be immensely grateful.[/QUOTE]