Vodafone - no credit limit on contract phones?

Microstar_2

I have recently taken out a contract with Vodafone. I've had mobiles for about 20 years, but never used Vodaphone before. Its a normal 12 month, 'pay monthly' contact.
With other providers I have always set a 'credit limit' above which the monthly usage cannot go. For example, Virgin set £150 by default - if you (or a thief) tries to spend more than £150 on calls in a month then the account is disabled. Virgin allow you to modify the limit. AFAIK other companies allow this, but not Voda it seems.
Contacted Vodafone this morning to ask about setting a monthly maximum and was told they 'cannot do it'. I asked if that meant that a thief could steal the phone and possibly spend £1000 on calls before I noticed the phone gone, and I would be liable for the bill, and was told 'yes' and 'can't do anything about it, sorry'. And that was the end of the call.
Any Vodafone customers able to confirm this, or did I just get a numpty CS assistant?

darcyvuqua

this is untrue as i have mine set at £120 and have had it since i took the contract out 17 months ago

agsnu

Even if a "credit limit" is set, billing data is not reconciled in real-time. If your phone is stolen, a thief can run up hundreds or thousands of pounds of international calls within the 24-48 hours before the network notices it (or you report it to them as stolen) and places a bar (the situation is much worse if your phone is stolen while you're abroad).

You will still be hit with a massive bill and you will still have to pay it. It is a false sense of security.

The only way to avoid it is to take out insurance (some insurance covers loss due to fraudulent calls before it is reported to the network, but it's quite rare), give your SIM a PIN and make your phone also lock with a passcode after a period of inactivity, or report your phone stolen as soon as it goes missing (not always possible).

barclaysguy

Unfortunately, unlike other sectors your not that well protected in the mobile industry. If you are concerned then mobile insurance may provide peace of mind.

Microstar_2

Thanks for your replies. It confirms that I was misinformed by Vodafone CS.

I'm a 'seasoned' mobile user so I'm aware of the risks and the 'delay' they seem to suffer in getting their billing data if a phone is stolen (strange, that...). A credit limit does provide SOME protection.
I'll not be taking out mobile phone insurance though - too many 'get outs' for my taste.

claire1234

hiya,

i had a few problems with vodafone lately,
dont bother ringing customer service send an email to their complaints department & then they will take it seriously & get it sorted within 24 hours,

my email was responded to within 4 hours and the issue on a whole was sorted within 24hours.

i can understand how you feel, you wont want a huge bill; my sister has run up several huge bills which are in my mothers name but my mum wont do anything about it.

iceicebaby

Anyone who takes a mobile phone out in their name for someone else is, IN MY OPINION, daft!

claire1234

yes very daft.

FineBoneChina_2

Hi,

So what's the exact email address for the Complaints Department?

Thanks

MRS_TO_BE_2

I was also told that you can't set a credit limit..another one to add to the complaint I'm about to make. Two agents have said the same..they use to offer it but not reliable so stopped doing it

email address as told to me by vodafone today is

[EMAIL="customer.care@vodafone.co.uk"]customer.care@vodafone.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Let us know how you get on

Microstar_2

I have indeed managed to get a credit limit set by Vodafone. Spoke to a different CS agent and she was much more helpful and set it up no problems! Not impressed with Voda so far, quality of CS is extemely variable! I am told their billing data can be anything from 12 to 72 hours 'behind' calls. I find it remarkable in this day and age that it would take them so long to get this data.