Beware Onestop Phone Shop (merged)

kasbah_2

t8769 wrote: »

Be wary dear hearts.. and keep your money safe.

Stay away from this awful scam, which as so far lsot me a whopping £150.

My 12 mo contract came to an end, I thouht about keeping the no, so asked them to send me a PAC code.. they said fine.

I didn't need it in the end, but knew that I'd told them by phone and letter that I wanted my account closed.

I've just found out that they'd kept my account open, as I hadn't used the PAC code, even though the PAC was only valid for a few weeks, and that code would have expired before my account came to a close.

They say that they informed me in a letter that my account would stay open. I don't remember receiving anything like that. Perhaps this was hidden somewhere on a letter I received, I can't tell.

I didn't notice the bank charges, as I'd taken out another contract and had Broadband with them..


Well, I've lost £150 on this scam.. and they're richer.


I'm just warning you to be very careful with this company.


They should have warned me that I would be charged if I didn't use the PAC code, they should have sent a letter making clear the fact that they'd keep my account over.

I asume thousands of people, like me, have been caught out by this scam.. money for CPW, and another honest person ripped off.

BEWARE[/QUOTE

ut666

hi,

I too have had problems with CPW and their PAC code request system.

This started when O2 changed their policy on non-geographic numbers, meaning they where changing the terms and conditions of the contract, and meant I was able to terminate the contract early. As one of the main reasons was I signed up with o2 for the use of these numbers.. (used to allow you to use cheap international calling cards + inclusive minutes to call abroad)

So when I heard about this new T&C breach I requested a PAC code.

They sent it to me by txt message, with the following line at the end of it.

"This PAC code must be used by the xx/xx/xx. You will continue to receive monthly bills if it is not used"

Is it only me or how does "You will continue to receive monthly bills if it is not used" mean "You will have to fulfill your contract if you don't use your PAC code" or "You only have one chance to terminate your contract".

I was never told this by the customer service guy, so when today I tried to get a new one, as the new P&G SIM I ordered via the web never arrived in time, they told me sorry you are now not allowed.

And I now have to stay with them till the end of my contract (~6months).

Am I clutching at straws or do I have a chance to complain and get my PAC code? Or at least complain so this is made clearer for the benefit of future customers...

This procedure is really unclear imho...

ut.

MrRincewind

i would say your complaint is valid, If you requested your PAC due to the change in the T&Cs and were not told that it was your one and only chance to use it and end said contract, Then you have every right to complain,

The original poster circumstances are nothing like yours in my opinion, there crying ignorance to being to busy to read letters,texts or bank statements,

Good luck with your problem i would continue to pursue it through the high level complaints department,

ut666

ok,

Bit of an update on my problem with CPW so far.... Got off the phone with their customer service department, and they really don't want to seem to budge about giving me a new PAC code.

Infact I found out the following; when you are out of contract ie: beyond the 12months of a 12 month contract. You are able to request a PAC code, or any number of PAC codes if your previous ones expires... fair enough...

BUT, if you request a PAC code due to an ealry termination, ie: you are still within your contract period, then the PAC code is a one off, and you only have one attempt to terminate the contract. If the PAC code expires, as in my case, then you are stuck with the contract.

Now my rant : I was never told this difference and assumed that the PAC code system would be the same as a out of contract request, as I have previously been able to request more than one PAC code when they expired. But in this case I seem to be stuck...

Anything more I can do? Is my aggro justified or shall I just learn and bite the bullet? Any help/suggestions welcome.

ut.

MORPH3US

ut666 wrote: »

BUT, if you request a PAC code due to an ealry termination, ie: you are still within your contract period, then the PAC code is a one off, and you only have one attempt to terminate the contract. If the PAC code expires, as in my case, then you are stuck with the contract.

Stuck with the contract until when - forever?!?

If that is what they are telling you then its total BS...

They *might* be able to stop you getting a new PAC code, I don't know... but they cannot stop you giving notice to end the contract.

M

alnsv1000s

If you have requested a pac code due to a change in T's & C's and want an early termination then you only have 30 days from the date they notified you about the change to cancel.

If you continue the contract after 30 days then you have deemed to have accepted the change of t's & c's.It may not be fair but that's the way it is.

They gave you a pac code as requested and 30 days later you still had not used it. You will now be able to request another pac code once your contract has expired or you have the option of paying an early termination fee and moving to another network that allows access numbers, which is being stopped by most networks.

You had done your homework with regard to the get out clause, but didn't double check if you were not 100% as to what would happenn if you did not use the code.

As to the OP of this thread, they obviously have some savvie as they managed to register on this forum and have posted on here, so not reading a text or reading their mail is no excuse. If you are unsure about anything take the time to double check before ranting slanderous comments.

MORPH3US

Sorry, ignore my post, alnsv1000s is correct in what he says...

Sorry, I though it was the OP who was saying he was stuck with the contract after the contracted period!!

M

mm66

ut666 wrote: »

hi,

I too have had problems with CPW and their PAC code request system.

This started when O2 changed their policy on non-geographic numbers, meaning they where changing the terms and conditions of the contract, and meant I was able to terminate the contract early. As one of the main reasons was I signed up with o2 for the use of these numbers.. (used to allow you to use cheap international calling cards + inclusive minutes to call abroad)

So when I heard about this new T&C breach I requested a PAC code.

They sent it to me by txt message, with the following line at the end of it.

"This PAC code must be used by the xx/xx/xx. You will continue to receive monthly bills if it is not used"

Is it only me or how does "You will continue to receive monthly bills if it is not used" mean "You will have to fulfill your contract if you don't use your PAC code" or "You only have one chance to terminate your contract".

I was never told this by the customer service guy, so when today I tried to get a new one, as the new P&G SIM I ordered via the web never arrived in time, they told me sorry you are now not allowed.

And I now have to stay with them till the end of my contract (~6months).

Am I clutching at straws or do I have a chance to complain and get my PAC code? Or at least complain so this is made clearer for the benefit of future customers...

This procedure is really unclear imho...

ut.

I also got a PAC from O2 CPW due to change in NGN policy and did not use it in the 30 days. I again requested it and they sent it again and confirmed via email that i will continue to pay only till i port out and no penalty charges. So either i am lucky or that is their policy i dont know but i have it in writing from them so i am comfortable.

ut666

thanks for the feedback ppl...

guess ill have to bite the bullet then... so bloody stupid of me

mm66 u must have been very lucky.... how did you do it? just rang and some not too clued up customer support rep just allowed a re-issue of the PAC code?

ut.

t8769

I have lost a lot of money with these crooks, and have just found out that they have been taking money from my account without my approval or knowledge.

When I foolishly bought a phone through their subsiduary OneStopPhoneShop, they gave me insurance without my approval. I called and wrote them to tell them I didn't want their 'Opt-out' insurance.

This ignored these requests, and continued to take £5.99mo from my account.

They set up a DirectDebit without my knowledge or approval. I have no idea if this is legal.

After many phone calls, I have managed to get the stolem money back, but I would like to warn others about this scam .

I am sure tens of thousands have been caught out by this, and its made a lot of money for them, how many others didn't notice that £5.99 coming out of their account.

I have already lost £150 through CarPhoneWarehose. I cancelled a phone contract by phone and letter. But they continued the account against my will, by a very clever loop-hole.

I am simply not used to dealing with crooks, and have generally found large, respectable companies do not go in for scams like this. But I guess CarPhoneWarehouse is not the same.


BEWARE.


If you do any business with these crooks, check everything, copy all letters, check your bank accounts, and do not believe anything you are told.

If they can set up a DirectDebit and take money from my account, without my knowledge or permission, they can do a lot of nasty things.