Danerous Covid Actions

[micox]

Late last year my wife, who is 80 years old, had to have a hysterectomy followed by precautionary chemotherapy and radiology lasting to date. She is on the COVID 19 vulnerable government register. Throughout her treatment it has been essential for her to keep contact with the treating hospital; 14 miles away from our home in rural Norfolk, and her GP.

I’m a multiply disabled 81 year old man. My disabilities include: COPD; spinal stenosis; essential tremors; type 2 diabetes; peripheral neuropathy; depression and single sided deafness. I’m in a wheelchair.

1. On 24.02.20, I foolishly put in an order for broadband and phone with Vodafone. In this I firmly stipulated that my phone number should be kept, for the reasons outlined above.From the outset, Vodafone made an unholy mess of this account:

2. They promptly mailed me a new landline number. When I pointed out my original number was essential for hospital and GP contacts, they told me it was temporary and in lies over several mails, I would get my original back. I never did!

3. The agent taking my order (on the Vodafone website) asked me to set up a direct debit for a monthly account. I gave him my bank details. A couple of days later I got an e mail from them saying: "If you're joining us as a new Pay monthly customer: we'll set up a Direct Debit for your bills.” A little puzzling!

4. About mid way through April, my internet connection was, without warning, cut off and shortly afterwards all outgoing phone calls were blocked. A mobile phone call to Vodafone Customer Services told me: You paid the first charge to us but the next charge due hasn’t been paid so we’ve cut you internet off until you do. They added that there is no Direct Debit!

5. I decided quickly that necessity is the priority and told them I would set up a direct debit immediately. Customer services told me they would pass me on to an agent who could do that. I was passed on to an agent with a foreign accent difficult to understand although I explained I am partially deaf.

6. He passed me on but each time I started to give my details my call was passed over to somebody else. This carried on for about 30 minutes and in the end I just gave up, deciding Vodafone had breached the agreement and the only step I could take, for the sake of my wife’s health and that of my own, was to sign up for a service from BT.

ADDENDUM:

Today 29th April 2020, my internet connection with BT Wifi has been interfered with and I have no internet. I made a sweep with 'Clean My Mac' which revealed no current malicious files. The BT wifi connection has been removed from my wifi list and I'm unable to get my BT website (set up when I ordered the BT service). So, without evidence of how this is being done we're in a more dangerous position than ever: unable to contact GP or

hospital.

I later found a file on my computer entitled 'Vodafone Intercept!'

[Johnsel]

Hello micox

This is outrageous you must have means of contacting doctors, hospitals, etc. If it was me I would insist on speaking to a manager at Vodaphone and BT and explaining to them how urgent it is. Alternatively speak to your local MP and tell him of your predicament. Or even your local Citizens Advice Centre. I do hope you get this sorted as soon as possible. Carole x

[Ergendl in reply to Johnsel]

Or write to Kate Morley who investigates problems like these for the Daily Telegraph weekend papers.

[watergazer]

Or maybe get in touch with watch dog if you have a way to communicate. x

[Dedalus]

How dreadful for you. I hope some of the above suggestions help.

[micox]

Hi. I have now managed to briefly get internet with BT Wifi and I managed to use that to refer the matter to OFCOM. I have had a reply from them which is marked CONFIDENTIAL so I can't share it with you but it is positive.