Latest news with #blacklist
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Verizon accused of taking punitive actions against customers who file complaints against it
Verizon can be ruthless when it comes to dealing with customers who don't play nice with it. Things can get worse if those customers involve a government entity. It's not unheard of for customers who have grievances with a company to reach out to a government agency to get their issues resolved. While some, like T-Mobile, try to discourage attempts to band against it, Verizon apparently harbors a personal vendetta against those who lodge complaints against it with an external party. A customer has informed us that Verizon maintains a secret internal blacklist of customers who file complaints against it. The said customer was also placed on one such blacklist after they contacted the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia's Consumer Mediation Program regarding a problem which then demanded an explanation from Verizon . An email from Verizon email asking the customer be blacklisted that was sent after OAG was involved. Verizon allegedly retaliated by blacklisting the customer. Being blacklisted isn't just about no longer being able to buy services from Verizon . The user claims that the company tried to wreak havoc on their credit report by re-aging a debt that was already resolved. This means that the company intentionally made the debt newer than it already was. As a result, it became impossible for them to get approval for financial products and loans. The user says that Verizon has kept the existence of the blacklist a secret, which serves to reprimand customers who raise their voices against customer shared evidence, including an email with instructions to blacklist them, to back up their claim. Verizon defended its actions in its response to OAG's email by saying that it had already reported the account to collections when it was paid in full. The company said it followed the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines, which frown upon pay-for-delete. Pay-for-delete requests involve asking a creditor to remove a negative entry from the credit report in exchange for company refuses to budge from its position and has even asked relevant agencies to consider this when addressing any future complaints from the user. While Verizon might want to be FRCA-compliant by not engaging in pay-for-delete agreements, it's worth mentioning that the FRCA doesn't actually prohibit such agreements. Also, the amount due wasn't substantial. There also seems to be some confusion about a router. The bottom line is that, on the surface, it looks like Verizon could have been more forbearing instead of taking punitive actions against the customers, which had the potential to impact their lives for years to come. Most of all, covertly maintaining a blacklist reflects poorly on Verizon . It looks like the company doesn't take kindly to the escalation of complaints to government agencies. We have reached out to Verizon for comment and will update the article if we hear back.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Daily Mail
My £1,200 Samsung phone was blacklisted - by a network that I've never even used! SALLY SORTS IT
I took my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 in for a repair to a damaged screen in January this year. The repairer informed me that they could not fix it as it's been blacklisted by Three UK. I was shocked as my network provider is O2 and I purchased the £1,200 phone new directly from Samsung in September 2022. Since then, it has always been in my possession. The device has now been blocked. I can't afford to replace it. Please help. F. S., New Malden, London. Sally Hamilton replies: The mystery of your blacklisted mobile is particularly baffling as you have never been a customer of Three. Initially, you spent considerable time on the phone to both Samsung and O2 urging them to help unblock your device. You said they made every effort to help but concluded that only Three could resolve the problem. After a slow start, Three launched an internal investigation which, maddeningly, also concluded that it could not help. The firm simply sent you a deadlock letter to enable you to escalate the complaint to the Communications Ombudsman. You hit yet another brick wall when the Ombudsman said it could not consider your complaint as you are not a Three customer. Arrgh! I was your last hope if you were ever going to be able to use your pricey phone again. On my request, Three reopened your case. It kept in touch with you throughout the process. It was three weeks before I finally received the good news that your phone had been unblocked and removed from the blacklist. Three confirmed your device had been blacklisted on November 22, 2022, but could not confirm whether it was Three or another provider that had requested this, or the reason. It won't share details of the mechanics of the blacklisting process either in case fraudsters take advantage of the information. Devices are blacklisted via their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which is unique to each phone. Providers or networks tend to do this if a mobile is lost or stolen, if there are security issues, if a customer fails to pay their bill, or the device has been reported as used for fraud or spam purposes. Theft victims may find they are unable to claim on their insurance until the device has been confirmed on the blacklist. No one was able to work out what happened in your case. It's possible the IMEI number from another phone might have been mistyped when it was reported stolen. We will never know. You were grateful for my intervention and can finally get your phone repaired. It's a pity there is not a simpler and speedier way for innocent victims of blacklisting to get their devices removed from the list. Granddaughter in Australia can't access account Our granddaughter emigrated to Australia with her parents 16 years ago at the age of three. At the time she had a Child Trust Fund with Nationwide Building Society. Recently, she tried to access the £402 balance, but Nationwide blocked the account because she has not been into a branch. Can you help? F .S., Nottingham. Sally Hamilton replies: You said your granddaughter posted certified copies of her driving licence and passport to Nationwide's head office, along with a covering letter explaining that she would like to withdraw her money. But these were not accepted. Staff told her only the original documents would do. She was reluctant to send these to the other side of the world as she feared never seeing them again. Nationwide insisted the only way to resolve matters was for her to go into a branch and present identification in person. But as she lives in Queensland, Australia, and has no plans to visit the UK, this was not possible. You say friends of hers with CTFs at other banks have been able to access their accounts online, but she doesn't have an internet account with Nationwide. Scam Watch Households should beware a scam email impersonating British Gas, consumer website Which? has warned. The tricksters claim you have an overdue bill which needs paying as your last direct debit 'hasn't gone through'. The fraudulent email says you are £7.21 overdue and you are prompted to click a link to pay the remaining balance. But the link will lead to a malicious website designed to steal your personal and financial details. Do not click on the link – instead, forward the email to report@ She faced an additional frustration recently when the building society distributed £50 to eligible members as part of the so-called The Big Nationwide Thank You. This was a bonus handout following its purchase last year of rival Virgin Money. Your granddaughter was issued a cheque but was unable to pay it into her Australian account as that country's banks no longer accept cheques in foreign currencies. I stepped in to ask Nationwide to resolve both the problem of the CTF and the bonus cheque and give her access to her £452. It took about three weeks but eventually Nationwide found a way 'given the exceptional situation'. It agreed to verify your granddaughter's ID over the phone and sent the CTF funds and the bonus to her Australian account by bank transfer once it received an emailed copy of a recent bank statement. A spokesman for Nationwide says: 'We apologise for the time it has taken to find a solution and we will offer her £50 as compensation.' By coincidence, reader D. F., from Stroud, Gloucestershire, had a similar tale regarding her grandson's savings account with Coventry Building Society. Now 21, he emigrated aged six to New Zealand, but in January tried to access the cash to help with his university costs. He was told this could be done only by closing the account and raising a cheque for the £787.86 balance. This was done, but New Zealand also no longer accepts foreign currency cheques. All was resolved by reopening the old account, paying the cheque back in and raising another in the name of his grandmother. This could be done only on receipt of a letter of consent from the grandson who also had to provide a copy of his passport and driving licence, validated by a Justice of the Peace. After a tedious five months of effort, D. F. will shortly be able to transfer the money from her account to her grandson's. Straight to the point I booked an easyJet flight from Newcastle to Paris for June 6 but the airline cancelled the flight the night before. I was given no explanation. I've tried twice to claim compensation through the website but it keeps telling me my details don't match the customer on the booking, when it does. It's almost impossible to speak to someone on the phone. N.A., Durham. Easyjet apologises and says you will be compensated. It says the first claim was filled out incorrectly while the second was rejected due to a mismatch of information. *** I bought a television from John Lewis for £2,999. It has a 'price promise', which means if I find the same product at another retailer for a lower price within seven days of making the purchase, it will refund the difference. I found one for £2,699 so submitted a claim, but it was rejected. I made the purchase at 10.30pm on a Tuesday so thought I could make a claim up to the same time the following week. I made the claim around 4pm the following Tuesday, but John Lewis won't accept this. R.W., via email. John Lewis says it recognises your frustration and has refunded the price difference. *** In May my phone, which had my bank card in the case, was stolen out of my pocket while I was in Benidorm. The thief used my Apple Pay, which was linked to a different bank account, to transfer money to the account linked with my physical card. They withdrew £1,450 from cash machines. I couldn't freeze the account until four days after the card was stolen as I no longer had my mobile phone to do this on the app. I later attempted to dispute the transactions with the bank, but it says they aren't fraudulent. B.B., via email. Your bank apologises and is paying you the £1,450 along with £250 in compensation. Write to Sally Hamilton at Sally Sorts It, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email sally@ — include phone number, address and a note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Sally Hamilton. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Shamed Kevin Spacey slams Hollywood ‘blacklist culture' & says ‘I'm still standing' as he wins Cannes award
SHAMED Kevin Spacey attacked Hollywood's 'blacklist culture' as he won a gong at Cannes and defiantly announced: 'I'm still standing.' The 65-year-old whose career stalled over multiple sex assault claims, signed off his lifetime achievement award speech with a nod to friend Sir Elton John's hit. 2 2 He was acquitted on nine charges in 2023, is still involved in a civil trial over another allegation from 2008 and has admitted being 'too handsy' and 'pushing the boundaries'. Yet, in receiving his Better World Fund award at a private event, he said: 'Who would have ever thought that honouring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea?' He claimed a 'blacklist culture' still existed in the film industry, comparing it to the 1950s McCarthy era in the US when actors suspected of Communist sympathies were outlawed. The double Oscar-winner said: 'They, too, were unable to find work in Hollywood during that very lengthy dark period. 'Today, we find ourselves once again at the intersection of uncertainty and fear in the film business.' Social media users took aim at the decision to honour Spacey. One X user called it 'another embarrassing chapter in recent history'. Another wrote: 'Abusive men in our society are never cancelled.' The gala dinner was not an official Cannes event. A spokesman said: 'The Festival de Cannes had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented during this private event.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center Boss Wants to Blacklist Trump-Boycotting Stars of ‘Les Misérables'
The Trump-backed head of the Kennedy Center has called for a blacklist of artists who choose not to perform at the Washington, D.C. venue. Ric Grenell, reacting Wednesday to headlines about cast members of Les Misérables who are planning to boycott the president's scheduled appearance next month, demanded career-altering consequences for 'vapid and intolerant artists.' 'Any performer who isn't professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won't be welcomed,' Grenell said in a statement to The New York Times. 'In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn't hire — and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience," he continued. The right-wing takeover of the Kennedy Center saw Trump install himself as chairman, oust all of the nominees former President Joe Biden named to the board, and name his own his allies in their place. Yet that shouldn't be a problem for artists, according to Grenell. 'The Kennedy Center wants to be a place where people of all political stripes sit next to each other and never ask who someone voted for but instead enjoys a performance together,' he said. Yet that's not the way many see the historic institution. 'The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we're not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center,' Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda explained upon cancelling his own performances there. 'We're just not going to be part of it.' Grenell's call for a blacklist is the latest instance of his feud with Miranda. Just yesterday, the Trump special envoy aired his grievances with ABC and American Idol for simply having Miranda mentor contestants. This, he complained, was 'an obvious move to support political intolerance.' Grenell even requested that Federal Communications Chairman Brendan Carr get involved, though what he could do about it remains unclear.
