I write to indicate my abhorrence on the conduct of Astro in ‘adding-on’ packages that were never solicited nor acquiesced by the account holder and, when notified about it, refusing to reimburse the additional charges billed.

Upon subscribing with Astro, I had to fill in a form that requested two telephone numbers to be provided. This I duly did.

However, having had two other separate Astro accounts at two different locations in Malaysia under my name, I had opted for a basic two-packages choice at the place where I currently work for the most recent account.

However, almost a month after the initial subscription, a call was made by a representative of Astro to my daughter (whose phone number I had listed as ‘second contact number’ in the subscription form) offering additional packages.

Astro claimed that my daughter acquiesced to it, but the young lady disavowed it. Matters were made worss since she is residing in one of the other location with a different Astro account number subscribed under my name.

Upon receipt of my March 2009 Astro bill, I discovered the ‘add-on packages’ charges and immediately called Astro to dispute the billing.

After a few phone calls from several ‘customer representatives’ of Astro, I was told that I am unable to claim for reimbursement since it was ‘my fault’ that the packages were ‘added on’.

How can it be that Astro is permitted to ‘add on’ packages and costs without ever contacting the listed account holder?

It instead choses to contact another number provided in the form that required it be given? In my mind, this is preposterous and grossly unethical.

I did indicate that I shall be writing to the newspapers protesting this matter and the response was ‘Go ahead’!

To add salt to the wound, a remark was also made that should I choose to unsubscribe my present account, a penalty of RM500 shall be imposed!

So it appears that not only is one left with having to pay for ‘add-ons’ that one never acquiesced, but one is also unable to ‘opt out’ totally.

Let this be an awakening call to other would-be victims.