Massive orange bill for disabled young man

customer33

our learning-disabled son was able to run up a bill of almost £5000 in one week after discovering chat lines. Orange did not make any contact whatsoever regarding this bill, in spite of my husband's name being on the account in order to deal with just such eventualities. We have disputed the bill and have lodged a formal complaint but are still receiving debt collection letters from orange. Not sure anyone can offer any advice but really wanted to let people know how unscrupulous and irresponsible this company is.

daleski75

First thing I would do is put a bar on any premium rate numbers to make sure it doesn't happen again and unfortunately it's not up to Orange to police the usage of your son's phone.

However you would think there would be a trigger to state that you have suddenly gone way above the average bill and someone should of called to as if the phone was stolen etc.

I don't think there is much you can do apart from try and plea with them about the hefty bill and hope they can arrange a mutual discount which is suitable for both yourself and them and to also put safeguards in place to stop it from happening again.

Buzby

That is one interpretation. The other is that you expect a supplier to accept that parental control was lacking and that the charges that were correctly billed for services provided should somehow be paid by everyone else?

You don't say who is the contracted party, as the charge legally lies with them, irrespective of whoever made the calls. Clearly if the person running up the bill has no grasp of charging, it is irresponsible to give them free rein. PAYG is perfect, it provides full control and brings understanding that things stop working when the money runs ut.

latecomer

I thuoght there was a bar on premium rate numbers as default - if not then you can argue with Orange that there should have been provided the circumstances were explained to them when the contract was taken out.

samba

daleski75 wrote: »

someone should of called to ask if the phone was stolen etc.

Are you serious?:D

daleski75

Fingers crossed that is the case as I think nearly everyone who frequents this forum would struggle to pay a £5000 bill no matter what the reasons behind it.

daleski75

samba wrote: »

Are you serious?:D

LOL my grammar wasn't very good was it? Meant to say if Orange thought the phone was stolen due to the abnormally high bill this should of been a trigger in itself.

Not wanting anyone to think I am giving advice to commit fraud! :rotfl:

mildred1978

daleski75 wrote: »

LOL my grammar wasn't very good was it? Meant to say if Orange thought the phone was stolen due to the abnormally high bill this should of been a trigger in itself.

Not wanting anyone to think I am giving advice to commit fraud! :rotfl:

should HAVE!

daleski75

LOL anyway back on track and want to say good luck to customer33

dealer_wins

I dont believe a word of the OPs tosh, but if it is true he must have a sore urrrmmmmm arm.

keith1950

Not sure anyone can offer any advice but really wanted to let people know how unscrupulous and irresponsible this company is.

They are not a unscrupulous or irresponsible company, if this post is not a wind up , you are the irresponsible ones , why would anybody in their right minds allow a learning disabled person access to a mobile phone.

Why is it always somebody else's fault?, stand up to your responsibilities and pay the bill.