TSTT investigates ‘fake’ phone bills

ACTING vice president of TSTT’s Mobile Services, Michelle Wayne, yesterday revealed that  TSTT has launched a full investigation into a “suspected” subscription fraud which caused a Diego Martin woman to received a cellular bill totalling more than $24,000, although she does not own a cellular phone.

Naomi Dickson’s call for an investigation into the bill was highlighted in Sunday Newsday. She received three cellphone bills dating back to April, 2004, all of which were in excess of $24,000. A print-out of the calls made included calls to Ontario, Panama, Jamaica and New York, Florida, Guyana and the Netherland Antilles. She said she did not own a fixed residential line and questioned how TSTT was able to get her ID card and address. Speaking to Newsday reporters yesterday, Agard said the company suspected subscription fraud in the matter, since the documents under Dickson’s name included a light bill and and a copy of her ID card. “This means that either someone got in possession of her ID card or copied her identification,” he said.

He stated that all accounts under Dickson’s name were cancelled on the first day she made a report to them, but because the bill was already in the computer system, it would automatically be mailed to her. He assured, however, that the company has put strategies in place which will ensure that Dickson does not receive any more bills. “Her customer account will be credited to make sure it is cancelled to zero,” he explained. He advised that in the event that she does get another bill, she should ignore it. Agard expressed his sincerest apologies to Dickson on behalf of TSTT Mobile Services and has asked that she contact him at 627-0959.