my privacy has been invaded

@winterose (39887)
Canada
February 14, 2008 1:42pm CST
It has been all over the news, some hacker taped inot the montreal bell canada files and got the phones numbers addresses and names of thousands of subscribers. Five percent of these people had confidential numbers, Bell Canada just called me to say that I was one of them. They called to so call put me at ease and say that everything is fine, they didn't get any more information that that and the criminal has been caught and arrested and will pass in court. problem is I had a confidential number and I had it for a reason. Now first of all Bell Canada maintains that my number will not be tampered with as the criminal was caught, and if I was to be getting unwanted phone numbers I would have gotten them by now. They would give me another phone number but I have to tell them right away, if not if I decide at a latter date than I will have to pay 55.00 to have it changed I do not think that is fair, since I have been a victim that option should be available to me at all times. so here is the problem, if I don't get my number changed now, and I start getting calls I don't want I have to pay 55.00 at a later date, if I change my number now since it is confidential I have to notify many, many people who have it or lose touch which these people, and I know that I am going to forget lots of people who will no longer be able to contact me anymore. do you think their policy concerning this situation is fair, how would you handle it?
3 people like this
6 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
14 Feb 08
i heard about that on our local news last night...is it only records from montreal or all over canada (we are in ontario) have you contacted bell to see if you have any recourse?
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Feb 08
bell contacted me and I wrote everything they said, I don't know if it is all over canada, they only mentioned montreal, because the montreal bell office called me
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
14 Feb 08
So sorry to hear you were a victim but thankful that nothing else was stolen from you and that the crook is caught. I agree with you 100% about the phone number change. I also would want to see if my number is floating out there and if I will be getting calls in the near future. I also would want to keep my number if at all possible, I also have a private number. I think they should give you at least a month of two to see how things go. I wonder how long all this happened before you were notified that you were a victim? Ask them and when they tell you let them know that however long it took them to notify you is how much time you want to be given to decide if you need the number change.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Feb 08
it happened in mid january
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
16 Feb 08
they won't do it.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
14 Feb 08
I would tell them to give you 2 or 3 months to decide, that is not asking for too much time after what has happened. Heck, ask for longer if you think you need it.
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Feb 08
I don't think it's fair at all. Just because the criminal is caught doesn't mean the the number is safe. I've heard of people who steal numbers and sell them at a later date to others. I think Bell should have given everyone a new number, on the spot, and taken instant responsibility for this problem.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
15 Feb 08
I think that is very unfair, but bell has never been too fair as far as I am concerned. I think they should at least give you about 6 months or so to see if anything comes up. I mean why would you want to change you number unless you have people calling you from this crime. I have been here for almost 5 years and it would be a great big hassle to have to give out my number all over again. You shouldn't have to pay because you are the victim.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
16 Feb 08
I agree but they won't do it.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Feb 08
It's ultimately your choice. I think my choice would be to keep the number and take my chances. I would choose that because you have a lot of people among your contacts that have your number, and you wouldn't want to forget to notify any of them of your new #. Canada Bell is wiling to let you have a new # now without charge. However, that option has a time limit. It might not be fair -- it's just business.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
15 Feb 08
that was what I decided to do
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
14 Feb 08
I think that they should give you a reasonable time to decide whether or not you want to change your number for free. I would suggest that you write to the Chairman of Bell Canada and ask him to allow you 6 months to make up your mind. If you still do not get satisfaction you should write to your Provincial Consumer Protection Office. When you write to the Chairman, you should copy your letter to your local Member of Parliament ensuring that his name is clearly on the letter as a copy addressee. Good luck.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Feb 08
thanks so much for your advice
1 person likes this