AOL say they have a problem with my direct debit - hijacking my phone!

c'est_moi

Hi
Please tell me I am not alone in having an issue with AOL. I have been with them for years - make payments by dd - never any issues.

Tonight I needed to make an urgent phone call, but can't because all my calls are being redirected automatically to AOL/ Talk Talk.

After being held in queues/ being directed to 'wrong person' and being cut off I finally get a person to speak to. He asks me security qus - this makes me nervous as remember I have not actually PHONED him - my phone has taken me to him. I dont understand technology, but not sure if anyone other than my provider could redirect my calls.

Anyway I reluctantly give my phone no and address. He tells me that there has been a technical porblem and my bill has not been paid. Strange I think as it was due 2 weeks ago and I have had no letter from AOL to tell me there is an issue. Anyhow check my bank statement, and indeed did not have a dd paid to aol last month. The guy on the phone says no worry - pay it to him now by cc and he will set up a new dd. Again - I am worried. I STILL have no proof who I am talking to and I don't want to give any cc details. He is getting quite shirty and says of cousre he is aol - I can check by asking him a security qu. OK then tell me my dob - he can't. tell me the last amount I paid to aol and when. He gets the amount correct, but not the date! I am still very reluctant to give him my cc details!

Anyway he is getting very shirty and tells me not to be rude and calm down. I still think its maybe a scam, and still have a phone call I need to make but can't.

i declined to go ahead with payment and decided to come online to check this out. Is anyone else having this issue. The guy said it had happened on a few accounts? Is it a scam? Was I correct to ask for an apology since none of this is my fault - (he decline to give me an apology btw).

Sorry for long rant and retell, but I am always sceptical. BTW why can I still use my internet if I am in arrears?

BAILEYS6904

Your phone hasnt actually been cut off, just redirected.

The phone bill, for whatever reason has not been paid, therefore the service was restricted, hence why all calls out were being diverted to them, to sort out the issue of non payment.

No need to worry, whatsoever

HTH

MrsBartolozzi

You could chat with the aol online live help guys. They'd be able to assure you that it is them who've "hijacked " your phone and that your details are safe.

cattie

Good suggestion re online help, or phone customer services & hopefully get through to somebody in the Irish rather than Indian call centre & pay via card that way if they verify that the service has been suspended as the account in arrears.

I've been with aol for donkey's years for internet & thankfully never really had a problem with them.

One time when my credit card number was changed after a fraud scare & I forgot to notify aol, my internet service was interupted. When I phoned to say I couldn't get online I was told my dd hadn't gone through that month & so it had bee suspended. I was told if I paid the outstanding amount there & then, my internet service would be up & running again within the next hour. Fifteen minutes later I was back online. :0)