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Mobile users complain of credit transfer misuse

Some of the subscribers said they hoped Etisalat would introduce some checking mechanism to control the abuse of the new service.

Customers shocked

The subscribers claimed they were shocked to receive Etisalat bills that showed they had transferred credit to other mobile phones. However, the bills do not indicate the numbers to which the credit was transferred to, they alleged. Abdul Haqq, a GSM post-paid subscriber, alleged his Etisalat bill showed Dh695 credit as "transferred" from his mobile to another mobile phone user. "However, I was not aware of this new service until I received the bills recently," he said. Haqq immediately went to the Etisalat office but no proper explanation was forthcoming, he alleged.

"I do not even know how to use this new service. I keep my mobile phone with me most of the time," he pointed out.

Babu, another Etisalat customer, had a similar experience. "When I received the Etisalat bill, I was surprised to see that Dh99 had been charged for credit transfer which I had not done. As I contacted Etisalat officials I was told they couldn't help me trace the number to which the credit transfer was made as they don't keep a record of such numbers. However, I was asked to furnish the mobile numbers of suspected persons who could have used the service without my knowledge," disclosed Babu.

"I think Etisalat should at least have the details of the mobile phone users to whom such credit transfers are made. Otherwise, where are the checks and balances?" Babu asked.

When contacted, Etisalat officials refused to comment. However, a counter staff at an Etisalat office said: "Somebody may have used it on behalf of the subscriber."

• UAE