Why I Find Globe PowerSurf for Postpaid Subscribers a Fraud?

I have complained about how Globe’s PowerSurf for postpaid subscribers was so unrealiable. But that was even before my complete billing cycle was over. Now let me post a follow up on that experience.

First, let me describe the timeline of events during the time I was subscribed to PowerSurf99:

  • September 27, 2011 — subscribed to PowerSurf99;
  • October 12, 2011 — my billing cut-off for October 2011;
  • October 27, 2011 — PowerSurf99 auto-renewed in accordance with its terms;
  • November 12, 2011 — my billing cut-off for November 2011;

I’ve monitored my data usage using an iPhone app as well as the iPhone’s built-in settings and noted that I’ve consumed the 50MB allocation on October 13 for the September 27 subscription, and as early as November 5 for the October 27 subscription. Yet up until now, I haven’t received any text from Globe informing that I’ve reached my quota. Moreover, I’ve constantly inquired with 8888 about the status of my subscription and it responded with an explicit message that my subscription is still active.

So in order to play safe, I’ve switched off entirely my phone’s cellular data, turning it on only during times I need one. Looking at my billing statements, I’ve noted the following local data charges (I was on Time-based browsing):

  • October 12, 2011 statement — 390 minutes = P115.96;
  • November 12, 2011 statement — 465 minutes = P138.26;

Visiting a Globe business center, the representative couldn’t tell me when exactly (the date and time) those data were consumed. They say it’s something inherent in their system and they can’t access the information.

Now, maybe I would like to assume that the P115.96 data in my October 12 statement was consumed even before I subscribed to PowerSurf99 on September 27. Yet, according to the circumstances I’ve always been subscribed to PowerSurf99 during the whole billing period from October 13 to November 12, 2011 (as there have been no evidence to the contrary), now why am I being charged for 465 minutes of data usage (or P138.26) on my November 12 billing statement?

What if I’ve always relied on their (mis)representation that my PowerSurf99 is still active? Then, I’ll be charged a fortune? Is this another way how Globe Telecom defraud its subscribers? All we ask from Globe is transparency on their promos and billing charges.

P.S. @talk2GLOBE has stopped responding to my tweets ever since I started raising this issue to their attention.

UPDATE (12/18/2011): My subsequent phone bill reflected the P138.26 credit/adjustment. But of course, this action does not address the issue being the lack of accurate and timely feedback about the usage statistics/data while you’re enrolled to their PowerSurf for Postpaid Subscribers service.

No Comments

Magie December 16, 2011 Reply

Hi, I have the same problem with Globe. How do you turn off Powersurf?. I texted POWERSURF OFF to 8888 but it didn’t work.

deuts December 20, 2011 Reply

Don’t know about that. Haven’t experienced the same. Try contacting @talk2Globe via Twitter.

le0na February 6, 2012 Reply

try texting POWERSURF STOP to 8888.

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