Please go online & check to make sure everything is up to date & accurate!!!

Please don't be a victim of these idiots!!!




My fiance received a message to confirm an additional phone to be added to his account. We were in Canada on vacation & had poor reception. He was going to call when we got back to the States. We forgot about it & didn't call back.


On Tuesday he came home from work & said he received another message about an addition phone wanting to added to the account. He asked if I made any changes. We both have our own plans. I replied no, so he called Sprint.


He called to find out three phones were added to the account & billing was to be sent to an address in Chicago. All phones were over $200.00. Billy's plan is super cheap & he doesn't have an elaborate phone so this was a shock to us. Sprint still went ahead & sent out the phones without confirmation to a Chicago address. He spoke with customer service, then the fraud department. They recommended putting a passcode on the account & some other information.


They told us it was taken care of & no other changes can be made to account with his approval.
WRONG!

Yesterday, Billy called Customer Service to make a payment on his account & his password was changed & they wouldn't give him any information. We went through the entire story, & I demanded to talk to a Supervisor. The Supervisor then stated there was nothing we could do if we didnt have the passcode. I was irrate. Finally, After threatening to file a complaint, I asked for the fraud dept. She said sure I can tranfer you! Hello... Should she not have offered that in the first place considering how panicked & upset we were!

So, we are transferred to the fraud dept again. They were a bigger help & asked us if we use the sprint website for billing. Well, Billy never has. Here to find out that is how the information is being changed & phones being ordered. We then learn another phone was ordered since Tuesday & was shipped out. We would of never found out because the billing was being mailed to a Chicago address & this is also how the information is being changed.


So this is where I absolutely lose it. I asked if this is being done by a sales employee or someone selling information. How could anyone get this information! I was pissed, I was shaking, I wanted to kill someone. This wasn't a mistake on out part & I wanted answers. I go online & change all the information & update everything.


Then we are transferred to a investigator. needless to say, she helped us & informed us that there is a huge ring working out of Chicago & this wasnt a isolated event. Third party Nextel/Sprint vendors are selling information to a bunch of scammers. Then then sell the phones, use of the minutes, rack up the bills, then dump the phones when services are shut off for non-payment.
Lovely!!!!

The problem was solved & thank god we caught this before anything worse could occur. I was told to pass this along to any friends of family who uses Nextel/Sprint.


Please update your account information & make sure everything looks correct!

Yeah, most phone companies customer service will tell you that you can't do anything without your password, but they will do such charming things as let you change your password if you say that you don't remember it, without going through any other verification. Or they will even tell you your password if you say that you forgot it. That is the best!

Yeah.

I would think the fact that Billy has a cheap plan with a crappy phone, we live in Pa, the 4 phones were sent to Chicago & billing for these phones went to a Chicago address would've set off some kind of alert.

Damn, thanks for the warning! I have Sprint/Nextel and will sure to check my account, especially since I remember my last bill being higher than usual.

TMobile actually did something similar to my daugthers boyfriend. Someone ordered a phone on his account and the bill to be sent to a different address. He caught it online (in May) and it still hasn't been resolved. They have not shut the phone off and keep sending the bills to my daughters boyfriend. They suggested he pay the bill or he will get charged the $175.00 cancellation fee, along with having his own phone with TMobile terminated. Course, he can't end his own service without an additional $175.00 fee!

No doubt that people are finding more elaborate ways to scam others people service, info, etc. And the better they get at it, the harder it is for us victims to resolve the problem.

I realize that this sort of things goes on all the time with different comapnies.

Unforunately, This is the first time anything has happened to us.

Posted by Debi Damn, thanks for the warning! I have Sprint/Nextel and will sure to check my account, especially since I remember my last bill being higher than usual. TMobile actually did something similar to my daugthers boyfriend. Someone ordered a phone on his account and the bill to be sent to a different address. He caught it online (in May) and it still hasn't been resolved. They have not shut the phone off and keep sending the bills to my daughters boyfriend. They suggested he pay the bill or he will get charged the $175.00 cancellation fee, along with having his own phone with TMobile terminated. Course, he can't end his own service without an additional $175.00 fee! No doubt that people are finding more elaborate ways to scam others people service, info, etc. And the better they get at it, the harder it is for us victims to resolve the problem.

He should call the fraud department at TMobile & file a claim with an investigator.

That's what we had to do.

GotPaisley -- when you call them, do they have you verify any other information? I use Verizon Wireless, and I always have to give the last 4 of my SSN, address and full name. Or is this the information that was sold, in the first place?


Shit, I'd be in Chicago, busting down doors and knockin' bitches over, by now. I've heard a lot of shitty things about Sprint/Nextel, down to and including that they have the worst overall reception of any phone company. Any time I ever have a friend with a problem, they get treated like shit by Sprint/Nextel, even if it was the company's fault.


Verizon operates on a "well, we're better off just giving the customer what she wants," sort of thing. That's how they've kept me for so many years ... Even if it was REALLY my fault and I broke my phones myself (which I'd never admit to), they always would just replace them, anyway. They'd rather have me as a customer than lose me because of a phone that costs them very little in the long run. ...... And if there ever were a situation like yours, they'd be like, "Okay, we're sorry, we suck, we failed, we'll also give you 200 more minutes for free for the next 6 months."

Plus, I get great service underground



.... PS You all know that the "cancellation fee" is directly a result of you NOT actually purchasing your phone at full retail price, right? When you get all these "deals" and get your phones for free or for $50 bucks ... YOu SHOULD NOT take the deal. Just pay for your phone 100% up front,full retail price. Then you won't have a cancellation fee, because you actually own the phone and have already paid them their equivalent to the cancellation fee ... but hopefully your phone was cheaper than that ; )

I have Sprint and I get $20 off my bill a month for my entire contract. Just call and say your thinking about quitting due to poor customer service. Make up a lot of reasons and right before they give in..ask for a discount for the rest of your contract or even a few months free ( I got two .)

Posted by Emma Peel GotPaisley -- when you call them, do they have you verify any other information? I use Verizon Wireless, and I always have to give the last 4 of my SSN, address and full name. Or is this the information that was sold, in the first place? Shit, I'd be in Chicago, busting down doors and knockin' bitches over, by now. I've heard a lot of shitty things about Sprint/Nextel, down to and including that they have the worst overall reception of any phone company. Any time I ever have a friend with a problem, they get treated like shit by Sprint/Nextel, even if it was the company's fault. Verizon operates on a "well, we're better off just giving the customer what she wants," sort of thing. That's how they've kept me for so many years ... Even if it was REALLY my fault and I broke my phones myself (which I'd never admit to), they always would just replace them, anyway. They'd rather have me as a customer than lose me because of a phone that costs them very little in the long run. ...... And if there ever were a situation like yours, they'd be like, "Okay, we're sorry, we suck, we failed, we'll also give you 200 more minutes for free for the next 6 months." Plus, I get great service underground .... PS You all know that the "cancellation fee" is directly a result of you NOT actually purchasing your phone at full retail price, right? When you get all these "deals" and get your phones for free or for $50 bucks ... YOu SHOULD NOT take the deal. Just pay for your phone 100% up front,full retail price. Then you won't have a cancellation fee, because you actually own the phone and have already paid them their equivalent to the cancellation fee ... but hopefully your phone was cheaper than that ; )

We had two extra passcodes set on acct besides:

Last 4 digits of ssn, address, last payment amount & date

What happened is they were able to change the information online & not having to call Sprint directly.

The investigator working on our case said that they were 3 party outside vendors who deal with Sprint & Nextel. They where being dishonest & selling the account information.

http://www.presste...0058085?source=rss

California Judge about a month ago said that cancellation fee's were illegal from Sprint. Could be used as a way to worm yourself out.

Posted by Drooldog http://www.presste...0058085?source=rss California Judge about a month ago said that cancellation fee's were illegal from Sprint. Could be used as a way to worm yourself out.

That and a call to your Attorney General, the FTC, etc. Big companies will do everything they can to make you give up. The hassle that they have already put you thru is the perfect example. They are depending on you to give up so that they can continue to bill you for it, eventually turn you over to collections, and write it off. That is why they didn't notify you of the fraud before you called them. DON'T GIVE UP.

Posted by Emma Peel I've heard a lot of shitty things about Sprint/Nextel, down to and including that they have the worst overall reception of any phone company.

QFT. They have the worst reception by far. Most of the companies I have worked for used Sprint/Nextel (because they offer the cheapest commercial contracts). I could be smack in the middle of downtown Richmond and the calls would drop. It was pitiful.

Amazingly, Sprint is the best service I have ever had...I was in the middle of Maine in Baxter State Park. Over 30 miles from the nearest town almost! I had massive blood loss and allergic reaction to black flies and I got one bar of signal. Sprint saved my life <3

Posted by Emma Peel .... PS You all know that the "cancellation fee" is directly a result of you NOT actually purchasing your phone at full retail price, right? When you get all these "deals" and get your phones for free or for $50 bucks ... YOu SHOULD NOT take the deal. Just pay for your phone 100% up front,full retail price. Then you won't have a cancellation fee, because you actually own the phone and have already paid them their equivalent to the cancellation fee ... but hopefully your phone was cheaper than that ; )

I actually don't think that's the case. The $200 cancellation fee is actually..well.. a cancellation fee.... for you leaving your contract early (ie: signing up for a two year contract then wanting to cancel after one). Even if you buy your phone up front (as I have many times) that cancellation fee does not go away. At least that's how it's been with T-mobile the past 6 years or so that I've have them.

Did some researching

"For example, if your carrier increased a monthly fee that then resulted in an increase in your bill you could cancel your plan and not pay a cancellation fee. Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and Cingular all have clauses in their contracts that allow customers to cancel their cell phones if a change in the customer agreement results in an increase in their cell phone bill. Be aware that there is a very limited time in which to take advantage of this. From the day the change goes into effect Verizon customers have 60 days to cancel, Sprint and Cingular customers have 30 days, and T-Mobile customers have only two weeks.

Unfortunately, many people either do not know about this loophole, or do not use it to get out of their contract. The loophole, while useful, also means that you have to put up with poor service until your cell phone company announces a rate change that affects you, and not all of them will.

If you have had problems with cell phone service that your cell carrier is unable to resolve, you should be able to cancel your cell phone without paying outrageous termination fees. That is the basis of a federal lawsuit filed in Seattle against T-Mobile USA Inc."

FROM-http://www.la...ll-phone-fees.html

You can also trade the plan with someone else at http://www.talktrader.com


Either way you have the legal right to cancel as Sprint did not uphold your security.

Posted by Drooldog Either way you have the legal right to cancel as Sprint did not uphold your security.

Exactly. Sprint violated the contract by not upholding your security.


Excellent research Drooldog. You 'da man!

one of the many reasons I do not have and do not ever want a cellphone.

After reading the legal bullshit..I think everyone should read there own cell phone company privacy policy. Here is some highlights: ( Kinda big, but the privacy policy is a shit load bigger)

"When Sprint Nextel uses agents, contractors, or other companies to perform services on its behalf, Sprint Nextel requires that they protect CPNI or other sensitive personal information consistent with these Privacy Principles."

Sprint Nextel does not disclose CPNI and other nonpublic personal information (such as credit card numbers), without your consent or direction, except to business partners involved in providing Sprint Nextel service to customers, or as required or allowed by law.

All Sprint Nextel associates are covered by a code of conduct, which makes them responsible for ensuring the privacy of CPNI and other nonpublic personal information.

Personal information is information that is directly associated with a specific person such as his or her name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, activities, and personal preferences. Our definition of personal information does not include de-identified information. This is information that we collect about users, a category of services, or customers and from which any personal information has been removed. This data helps us understand trends and customer needs so that we can better consider new services or tailor existing services to customer desires. De-identified data also might be purchased by or shared with a third party: for example, one interested in locating a business in a particular part of town.

For example, we may sell long distance to you as a wireless customer. We may also use CPNI to contact former customers when permitted by law. And, to provide your service, we may use and disclose CPNI to our agents, affiliates, joint venture partners and independent contractors, but we restrict their use and limit disclosure of CPNI for purposes or providing service to you or to market products and services as previously described. We will also prohibit the third party from further disclosing the CPNI except as required by law and require the third party to implement safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the CPNI. If you are a new customer of Sprint Nextel, you will receive a notice of your CPNI rights and further information on this topic from Sprint Nextel. When you have not already given Sprint Nextel your permission to use CPNI for marketing purposes, Sprint Nextel will give you 33 days after soliciting your consent before using your CPNI and Sprint Nextel will follow your directions if you choose not to provide your consent.



@ Basically I see that you have a good law suit from this clause as the 3rd party abused your info. Along with this, you have a federal lawsuit for damages when the FBI finds out and breaks this fraud ring.@


When the third party acts solely on our behalf, Sprint Nextel does not allow it to use your information for other purposes.



Sorry for a big post

Source:http://www....print_privacy.html

Jeez!!!! NO! I am supposed to be making up my mind tomorrow if I change companies or stay with Sprint, after 10 years, and them giving me the new Instinct phone, no contract, and the Everything Plan for 89.00 a month. (Evidently they really want me to stay with them.) Hearing stuff like that is scary.

But as far as the service goes......I bitch and complain about it with other S/N customers but hear just as much complaining about the same issues from customers of all of the other companies, so I don't know what to do.

But I sure do like that Instinct phone....hmmmm.

I tried AT&T for a month. They were okay... I still may go back. I got the Shine for free but they are more expensive as far as plans go.

I may try Verizon next.


As far as Nextel goes.. Anyone who explored with me knows where i live the service sucks & when I go away...its hit or miss trying to reach me.


I've been unhappy with Nextel for many years but this is the icing on the cake. I was tied into a contract for 2 years then every time I went to cancel they would give me a free minutes or what have you. Then it racked more months on my contract.

My service is bad. It's sad when I am out of State & everyone has cell service but me. This has happened more than once to me. I drop calls all the time. Friends have to call friends I am with to get in touch with me because my cell service doesn't work & I get text messages hours or days after they are originally sent.

Posted by Emma Peel ...I've heard a lot of shitty things about Sprint/Nextel, down to and including that they have the worst overall reception of any phone company. Any time I ever have a friend with a problem, they get treated like shit by Sprint/Nextel, even if it was the company's fault...

They do, indeed. We live in the same damn town we bought our phone in, pretty much on the same side of town, and 99 times outta 100 we're roaming in our own damn house...when we can actually get a bar of service that is...
Plus, if we have a problem and go into the Sprint store-the actual store and not a vendor-they tell us it has to be handled by customer service over the phone, and if we call they tell us we have to go into the store. If we're still with Sprint by the end of the month it'll be nothing short of a miracle...

Posted by Samurai one of the many reasons I do not have and do not ever want a cellphone.

Get one of those pay as you go. No private info is given.

And just asked for money taken off your bill. They will easily take off $20 to keep you. I should scan my last months bill....Shit here is the online one copy and pasted. I fked up and txted waaaay to much. I called and bitched about the prices and BAM 106.60 off for the text messages and my annual 20 off every month!

Previous Balance $192.21

Jul 03 Billing Related Adjustment -$126.60
Jul 08 Payment Check # 999999999999999999999999 -$66.00


My normal bill here

Sprint Power Pack Family - 550 Shared Minutes Included $59.99
$20 Service Credit -$16.40
300 Messages - Messaging Plan $5.00


And legally you can end any contract before 30 days is up. Thats why they offer one month free...


Ill throw this in for kicks..I do not carry my credit card for ONE REASON. Someone with a $20 RFID reader (available online easy) they can scan your pocket without you knowing ( say elevator with 11 people) and walk away with 11 credit card numbers, exp date and your name. All without removing your credit card. Hell, I have hacked every RFID smart card pass for elevators in Charlotte as I deliver and Security pisses me the fk off..