Virgin Media Equipment has Been Compromised - Page 2

Stuart · 11-09-2009, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcamalpha2004

It could be a wind up from a disgruntled Customer, but if it is as serious as the person states they should report to OFCOM aswell as go through the small claims court to recover their money.
I am sure the NOTW would love a leader like that!
Time will tell.

This is why I am dubious.. If the OP is in the industry (and I am not saying he is not, I don't know), then he should know (or at least be able to find out) the correct procedures to follow or who to complain to.

He certainly wouldn't open himself to potential legal action by stating on a public forum that a company is committing fraud on a massive scale.

Adam B · 11-09-2009, 14:21

Russ B I have sent you a private message. Please put me in contact with your contacts at Virgin Media.

Thanks

AntiSilence · 11-09-2009, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam B

All the residential customers bills must be incorrect.

Mine won't be, as I pay Â£9 a month for 200 mins of talk time to any phone, anywhere (including mobiles in other countries) so as such I don't get billed for the calls unless I go over the 200 mins, which I don't.

AndyCambs · 11-09-2009, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Any "MD" that posts on an open forum like this making accusations really needs to think about their position.

and learn to spell

Adam B · 12-09-2009, 18:59

Im still waiting for these Virgin contacts.

Russ · 12-09-2009, 19:04

It's the weekend Adam....

Adam B · 12-09-2009, 19:10

Ok no worries. Thanks

Russ · 15-09-2009, 16:56

An update:

I've been informed by Virgin Media that their activity in this is completely legal and done to protect their business.

I'm not party to the actual discussion between them and Adam, I'm sure he'll post any further information about this should he feel inclined.

webcrawler2050 · 15-09-2009, 17:09

I personally think, this is a wind up, sounds like somebody is miffed with Virgin's National Service and is trying to "cause" issues. Can this be closed, as there is nothing official from Virgin on this subject. Unless somebody can confirm this please?

Russ · 15-09-2009, 17:13

I don't see any reason to close this thread. I've had official confirmation from one of our high level contacts at VM that what they are doing is ethical and legal. If Adam or anybody else wanted to challenge that then there avenues they can persue.

BenMcr · 15-09-2009, 17:25

I would expect if it is confirmed that any calls have been made due to tampering any affected customer who had been incorrectly billed would have the calls refunded to them

Adam B · 15-09-2009, 17:29

Hi
Update:
Ive spoken to a representative at Virgin Media and he tells me that the Compromising of equipment is most probably Mux hacks. This is an ongoing problem for them month in month out.
Ok
I am fighting the AIT retentions for my companies as Virgin is still collecting the revenue for these numbers whether there is a "Mux Hack" or not. I can proove that Virgin is collectiong these revenues as I have paid my bills that have these very numbers that Virgin is claiming to be called via compromised equipment. I ahve been told that as a customer I would have to individually contest calls to those numbers and then go through a complaints procedure to get some sort of compensation.

I called Virgin Media as a residential customer on 09/09/09 and was told that I would have to write a letter to an address in Swansea to contest my bill. I questioned the numbers tha Virgin themselves have said in a statement to the industry:

"We suspect all are artificially inflating traffic by compromising Virgin Media equipment"

That is their own statement to BT Wholesale in defence of not paying their bill.

BUT I have these numbers on my residential bill and I have paid my bill. Agian I am told to go through the official complaints procedure in writing. So if I dont (and some people wont bother or give up) then Virgin pockets the revenue 100% profit.

This cant be legal. Virgin collecting revenue on calls that it claims are a result of compromised equipment.

After my initial enquiry as a residential customer on 09/09/09 the only way foreward is to write a letter to the Swanse address and see what happens.

Today 15/09/09 I have spkent to a Virgin Media cheif executive about this, I was told again that each individual must complain individually about numbers they dont recognise on their bill.

Hang on, not 100% of these customers will complain or follow it up, again big big profits for Virgin who dont automatically credit the accounts in question over calls they claim are a result of compromised equipment.

later today approx 3.00pm my entire home residential Virgin Media account was suspended. Broadband, TV and phone all suspened. I called customer services to find out what had happened. They told me

"Your account has been suspended as you made a statement to us that you are reufusing to pay us"

I couldnt believe what I was hearing, so if you make a complaint or dispute thats what happens. Account suspended.

I called the chief exec again at Virgin, he looked into the account and came back to me his explanation was different he told me it was a result of my bank payment not going through and they needed payment. I asked him why customer services had told me differently to which he told me that they didnt read the account notes properly. I paid him for services he said I owed to Virgin Media and he said he would lift the suspension.

That payment included ONCE AGAIN a payment for numbers on my bill which Virgin media keep saying are a result of compromised equipment. So once again even the contact at Virgin Media whch was given here is also happy to take payment for calls that have been made to numbers via compromised equipment.

So Virgin are still collection thousands of pounds on calls that they are disputing in the trade.

This cant be legal. I have received no credit for these calls and I suspect hundreds of other customers havnt either.

The call I made to Virgin on 09/09/09 I have recorded and will put on youtube as evidence that Virgin deny any knowledge of equipment being compromised but then in the industry get out of paying their bills by saying it does go on.

This must be an OFCOM matter surely?

**Hugh** · 15-09-2009, 17:36

You will be breaking the law if you put a recorded call on YouTube, if you haven't gained the other party's permission (ie, you asked them at the beginning of the conversation was it all right for the call to be recorded).

Ofcom

Quote:

Can I record telephone conversations on my home phone?
Yes. The relevant law, RIPA, does not prohibit individuals from recording their own communications provided that the recording is for their own use. Recording or monitoring are only prohibited where some of the contents of the communication - which can be a phone conversation or an e-mail - are made available to a third party, ie someone who was neither the caller or sender nor the intended recipient of the original communication. For further information see the Home Office website where RIPA is posted.

Do I have to let people know that I intend to record their telephone conversations with me?
No, provided you are not intending to make the contents of the communication available to a third party. If you are you will need the consent of the person you are recording.

Hope this helps.

Russ · 15-09-2009, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam B

The call I made to Virgin on 09/09/09 I have recorded and will put on youtube as evidence that Virgin deny any knowledge of equipment being compromised but then in the industry get out of paying their bills by saying it does go on.

You probably know this anyway but if you do upload the recording to youtube be sure the agent's name and any identifying information is removed.

Adam B · 15-09-2009, 17:38

Do I need to ask permission? When I called Virgin Media they say at the begining "Calls my be recorded" So I recorded it.