Comparethenetworks.com SCAM

[Nixy1]

Hi, hope this is the correct place for this...

I know this is an EE forum - I am with EE but hoping for some community advice.  My partner was cold called by a business called comparethenetworks.com who claimed to be a 'partner' of 3 mobile.  They caught him at a time when he was busy at work and also unhappy with his current phone which had started playing up.  He came home and gleefully told me it was all sorted and he was getting a new phone.  My heart sank as I said to him - NEVER agree to anything where someone has phoned YOU!  Too late, he has signed a business contract.  He was certain all was ok and wasn't too keen on my negativity initially.  A really 'knowledgeable'  and nice guy on the phone told him no worries, you can keep your number, we will pay off your existing 3 contract, the new one is 18 months and bob's your uncle everyone is happy!   I immediately googled them - not great news.  Trust pilot has some horrendous reviews but overall the score is fine, mainly because the reviews all look like they've been written by the same people and are fake.  Companies House shows them as a dissolved company.  His new iphone 15  phone did arrive - from Amazon!  I looked at the contract - it's three years not 18 months.  He was also not aware there is no cooling off period on a business contract.  Needless to say they have not paid off his existing contract or ported his number - they never even asked for a PAC.  My partner now has two phones, two numbers and two contracts and has no idea what to do other than suck it up and put it down to experience - or stupidity.  This company are scammers - AVOID. 

[Azimuthimages]

Well I tried but that web site wants me to play the 'select all the squares' game.

This human refuses to try to convince a computer I'm human.

This Captcha stuff needs to end.

So much as I'd like to - I won't 

[trixyyy]

Hi Rob

Did you come right with the Onbusmen?

I am in a similar situation as yourself but more along the lines of Nixy1's case as its only the one contract, sim only.

They made me give my PAC number over the phone which i did, i wasn't aware that this shouldn't have been done. I am how ever with O2, which i phoned straight after the call with these people as i received a message from O2 after i had requested my PAC that i shouldn't give this out. I was then only aware that i wasn't on the phone with O2 and was in fact on the phone with CTN scum. O2 have no idea who they are so they told me its definitely a scam.

I have contacted CTN and told them i want to cancel and as they've said to everything 1 that there is no cool off period and that there is a cancelation fee of over £750 that i will need to pay before the next 14 days.

I really dont know what to do. Do i call their bluff and take the risk that its all real and true and that i have no leg to stand on and get my self into trouble for cancelling the debit orders and not paying the monthly fee, 
or 
do i just go ahead with it and stick with these idiots for the next 36 months?

[Peter_W]

Welcome to the Community, @trixyyy.

Was it an EE SIM that was sold to you in this situation?

If your number hasn't already ported, we can usually cancel the switch so your O2 account doesn't close.

Either way, based on what you've mentioned I would always suggest trying to deal with the networks involved directly via the contacts on their website. 

You can find our contact details here:

Contact Us About Mobile Billing and Account | EE

Peter

[trixyyy]

Hi Peter_W

Thanks for your response.

It wasn't it was to stay on O2. As i thought the whole time i was talking to an O2 representative, only right at the end did i they ask if i was happy with signal with O2 cause if i wasn't that i could change to EE which made it more confusing.

I now know to only do it online, but i am still stuck with what to do now.

[Peter_W]

One thing to remember @trixyyy is that any online or over the phone order is protected under the distance selling regulations (DSR) that state you can change your mind and send back any order within 14 days. 

I appreciate this is tough when you fear that the company that offered this are less than above board, but is should be something you're able to action. 

Peter

[trixyyy]

even though that it sates in the contract thats its a business to business contract and there is no cooling down period

[bristolian]

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@trixyyy wrote:

even though that it sates in the contract thats its a business to business contract and there is no cooling down period

---

If you are purchasing goods as a consumer, then no amount of T&Cs can override your statutory rights.

Disreputable companies may claim otherwise to attempt to put you off. They may, sadly, achieve this with some unfortunate people.

[trixyyy]

would you say that id be safe then canceling any payment s and debit orders and that things can't legally happen as this wont be eligible for court?

[bristolian]

I think you need to take independent legal advice before going any further.

My previous post was just pointing out that a company claiming you're exempt from the statutory 14days cancellation rights, does not mean you are.

[trixyyy]

thank you i appreciate that, i shall do that.