Help Against Helplines

Dozens have shared stories of harassment from customer service representatives.

11:34 01 June 2015

A journalist, Ana Prado has posted on Facebook detailing the unwelcome advances from a telemarketer working at Net, one of Brazil’s leading telecommunication firms. Her posts prompted dozens to share their own stories.  

 

In her post, Prado said that the operator contacted and convinced her to upgrade her subscription. He then used her personal information to send her inappropriate message on WhatsApp. 

 

"I wanted to start a debate around these issues," Prado says. "How are these companies handling our data?"

 

23-year-old designer Rodolpho Rodrigo, shared his story. He related: "In my case it was a customer support attendant from my mobile phone provider. After the routine call, Rodrigo got a text message: "Are you into men? Because I think your voice is beautiful."

 

"I had never stopped to think about how those companies use our personal data. I was shocked," he says. "He continued to send me messages for two weeks and only stopped after I threatened to sue him and his employer."

 

Another victim, Mariana, shared: "On the first visit my dad was here, and this guy was very nice and helpful," the 21-year-old Mariana says. "After that, the problem came up again and I called the company asking for it to be fixed. This time, I was alone when he came."

 

She said that the engineer chased her and tried to force her into her bedroom. 

 

"I pushed him and yelled at him to get out. I had to threaten him with a knife. He left, but said he would call me and come back."