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Beware, that BSNL man at your door could be fake
CHENNAI: The next time a man claiming to be a BSNL representative visits your home, insist on seeing his official ID card. He could be an impostor.
Instances of locally manufactured devices and modems being thrust on unsuspecting buyers by "official BSNL representatives" have come to light. Some victims were promised rental discounts under the "senior citizens category" or a refund of their telephone deposit.
BSNL, in a press release, clarified that it had not authorised its employees to do such campaigning and said all employees, when they visited customers' residences, would carry identity cards that can be verified.
"Customers are requested to verify the authenticity of the person before paying for any services or purchases," the release said. "In case there is any doubt, customers are requested to inform the nearest BSNL authorities so that the issue can be taken up with the law enforcing authorities," it added.
A senior BSNL official said they were looking into complaints about people misusing the service provider's name to provide various services, including replacing old instruments, modems and other accessories.
"In some cases, the customers were sold modems which were locally manufactured and not a BSNL-approved brand. Only after the modem stops working do the customers call up BSNL and realise that they have been conned," said the official. He said such 'official BSNL representatives' collected cash as well as copies of identity proof documents such as ration cards from customers.
With the number of private service providers in the market it is becoming difficult for the customer to verify their authenticity.
Beware, that BSNL man at your door could be fake - The Times of India
CHENNAI: The next time a man claiming to be a BSNL representative visits your home, insist on seeing his official ID card. He could be an impostor.
Instances of locally manufactured devices and modems being thrust on unsuspecting buyers by "official BSNL representatives" have come to light. Some victims were promised rental discounts under the "senior citizens category" or a refund of their telephone deposit.
BSNL, in a press release, clarified that it had not authorised its employees to do such campaigning and said all employees, when they visited customers' residences, would carry identity cards that can be verified.
"Customers are requested to verify the authenticity of the person before paying for any services or purchases," the release said. "In case there is any doubt, customers are requested to inform the nearest BSNL authorities so that the issue can be taken up with the law enforcing authorities," it added.
A senior BSNL official said they were looking into complaints about people misusing the service provider's name to provide various services, including replacing old instruments, modems and other accessories.
"In some cases, the customers were sold modems which were locally manufactured and not a BSNL-approved brand. Only after the modem stops working do the customers call up BSNL and realise that they have been conned," said the official. He said such 'official BSNL representatives' collected cash as well as copies of identity proof documents such as ration cards from customers.
With the number of private service providers in the market it is becoming difficult for the customer to verify their authenticity.
Beware, that BSNL man at your door could be fake - The Times of India
