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10:09 GMT, Friday, 9 January 2009

Call handler sent amorous texts

Telephone keypad

A BT call handler in India has been disciplined after sending amorous text and voicemail messages to a customer.

The female customer from Portsmouth, who does not wish to be identified, went on to the company's website to set up a new landline last month.

She received a phone call and gave her details but soon began receiving text messages from the operator saying he was "attracted" to her voice.

BT said he has been disciplined but would not reveal if he had been sacked.

The customer, known only as Jane, told BBC Radio Solent: "We've just moved house and needed a landline so I went onto the BT website and lodged to get reconnected and all those details were processed.

"I was quite angry that he'd taken my personal details and then put it on his mobile phone."
"Jane"

"A few days later I had a call from a call centre from a gentleman who sounded overseas who processed all the order.

"I got a second phone call from him saying I had an email confirmation and he started asking personal questions like what I was doing that day.

"Then I started getting text messages."

One message read "Hello, we spoke two hours ago regarding ur BT order. U must be thinking dat why I called u up second time without any reason of the call but to be honest I got attracted towards you and your wonderful voice. Can i be ur friend?"

Another read: "As precious as u r to me, as precious only few can ever be, I know all friends r hard to choose but u r someone i never want to lose. Take care xxx."

Jane said: "I was quite angry that he'd taken my personal details and then to put it on his mobile phone.

"I felt a bit violated that he did that."

She also received a voicemail message.

"I had one saying he thought I was angry that I was so far away, not sure what he was meaning, and he told me all his personal email addresses," Jane added.

In a statement BT said: "BT has received a complaint from this customer which we take very seriously and are dealing directly with her on the matter.

"We have taken the appropriate disciplinary action."

The company has sent her flowers and made an offer of £250 compensation.

Jane has also lodged a complaint with police.



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Related to this story:
BT opens Indian call centres (07 Mar 03 |  Business )
Salary cut saves call centre jobs (04 Mar 03 |  England )
BT threatened with strike action (18 Feb 03 |  Business )
Concerns over Indian call centre plans (11 Feb 03 |  England )

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