70-year-old falls prey to phone scam

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TIMES are difficult and salespeople are going all out to sell services and earn commissions.

A 70-year-old man who has never owned a mobile phone in his life fell prey to a persistent salesperson who was marketing a post-paid phone service.

“I was at Kota Raya last month and was approached by a woman in her early 20s. She tried to convince me to sign up for a post-paid plan and I told her that I don’t own a phone.

Cheng

“I tried walking away three times but a few of her colleagues also stood around me, convincing me to sign up for it. They said that registration was free and I didn’t have to pay to make local calls,” said retiree Cheng For Yow from Kampung Chempaka, Petaling Jaya.

About two weeks ago, he received a monthly statement from the telephone company and was charged RM76.50 for a one-time charge, monthly minimum charge and service tax.

“I didn’t even use the SIM card that they gave me,” said Cheng, who sought the help of Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua after he received the bill.

Cheng, together with Pua’s assistant Carmen Leong, lodged a police report at the Damansara Utama police station regarding the matter.

“We were told that this was not the first case and others have made similar reports. The phone company also said the same. They said that they would investigate the matter and for now, the line has been terminated,” said Pua.

He said that there were unscrupulous people who targeted the older generation and those who were less educated.

“My advice to the public is to be wary of these ploys. The younger ones who are more aware of these things should advise their elders not to sign up for things they are not sure of,” said Pua.