Receiving Inflated Phone Bills Amid Lockdown: TRAI Has This Advice For You

On Monday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) paid heed to the fact that customers amid the lockdown have been receiving inflated bills from their service providers as they unintentionally dial international numbers.

In an advisory, the telecom regulator asserted that users inadvertently dial premium or international telephone numbers which inflates up their phone bills in the process. Also it alerted users to be cautious while using any of the online conferencing platforms.

Receiving Inflated Phone Bills Amid Lockdown: TRAI Has This Advice For You

"Considering that a large number of members of public have been using online conferencing platforms due to continued lockdown to check spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to alert them to check applicable charges for dialling such numbers/helplines of such platforms/app providers," TRAI said in an advisory.

Further it warned that the customer care or helpline numbers of such conference hosting platforms are also international and may attract ISD rates charged by the service provider.

Also, one needs to know of the terms and conditions before using the dial-in service on these platforms. "Thus, all the members of the public are advised to exercise full caution and make themselves aware of the details of terms and conditions of using the online conferencing services particularly nature of numbers to which voice calls have to be made for joining the online conference and/or contacting customer support and details of tariff applicable for each of such services," TRAI advised.

While using teleconferencing services, one must also know of the numbers to which voice call has to be made for joining the conference.

In the wake of coronavirus led restrictions, when majority are working from home, there is seen a tremendous jump in use of teleconferencing and video calling platforms.

GoodReturns.in