It is all too easy to subscribe to what is called a VAS – or value added service on your cellphone but it is quite difficult to deactivate it later, when you find that you are not using it. In my case I subscribed to two services about two years ago that I have not really used, involving being able to find my phone or send a message for help and the monies continued to tick off at R12 a month. It is not much, but when you add it up, together with all the other services you have to pay for – such as having to pay for itemized billing, which is something you should get for free, given that cellular companies should be showing you what you are paying for without you having to pay extra for it.

When I wanted to cancel the service I had to phone their number, after I got no response to a letter I wrote to them, on 082 111 and they had to ask not only what my ID number was, but which bank I bank at, and obviously they are needed to know my mobile number but in addition to that they wanted to know how many contracts I have with them (which would be a few for the company) and a whole host of other questions before I could cancel the service. I honestly felt like I was being forced to jump through hoops, to cancel something whereas I should be entitled to have it cancelled as easily as it was able to be put on my account and charged to me!