I had bought the Mobile Internet on Hotlink, 350MB/month for few times now. I only use Whatsapp and nothing else. Just lately, the 350MB data was used up even when I am not using whatsapp or internet. The data just got used up like that without any application or internet running.

I called up the Hotlink Customer Service to lodge a complaint and they suggested that I watched video and Youtube and the data will be used up very quickly. I told them off and said I did not visit these sites. I suggested someone is stealing the data and asked them to put in case for me. So they put in a case for me and asked me to wait 3-5 days for a response. After waiting for a day, I again figured out 10MB of data was gone again without me using the phone. I then called Hotlink to expedite.

On the same evening, I received a call from Hotlink and the lady on the line told me they cannot check on it and couldn't do anything about. She suggested (again) that I may have watched video on Youtube that used up all the data. She couldn't wait to put down the phone as I expressed my disappointment on this matter.

Has anybody encountered this problem? Your data being used up when you don't use the internet at all? I may consider paying a visit to Hotlink to see the manager there.

What other data plans are there on the market that users can have access on the information(data) that have been used? Some sort of tracking. I'm planning to boycott Hotlink for this shit service I have encountered lately.

try here

aduan.skmm.gov.my

U should try totally off the data line & check is there any loss data.

Possibility is background application:
1. Whatsapp
2. Facebook
3. Email
4. Playstore

Better off, do your phone setting have the "Data Usage" section?
It shows clearly of your data used on which application.

Thanks for the quick response. Much appreciated.

I am 100% sure no application is running when the data was "stolen". Only whatsapp application is on, but there are no messages coming in. So basically no data is used.

I have been using WHatsapp for a long time. The data used on Whatsapp is very minimal. In 1 day, it won't be more than 1MB if it is purely messages. Even if there are some photos, it is usually below 2 MB used up.

In my case, the data, whether it is 50MB or 100MB is just gone, just like that without any application running. In just a matter of 6 days, all my 350MB data is all gone. I am sure someone is stealing my data.

My phone has the "Mobile Data" on and off. But that is irrelevant in this context.

Thanks. I'll give it a try though I doubt it would do any help as there is no evidence in the data usage.

I have called SKMM hotline and they informed they need evidence of my claim that my data was stolen. I told them Hotlink mentioned they do not have the information on the breakdown of the data although I have requested from Hotlink. Though the customer service lady of SKMM suggested that I may send them an email to record on the chronological events that may have led to me thinking that my data was stolen. I am going to send them the email later.

Has anybody who have subscribed to Hotlink Mobile Internet encountered this similar problem?

What phone OS you are using?? Android or iOS?? did you check the Data Usage? what software using your internet.

Ur apps installing auto updates or some app updating info. Better u check carefully than later they sue u for cheating

As I have mentioned earlier there are no applications running.

How confirm that u sure no app running from 0% to 100%? many apps can run in background even u don't start it...better check ur data usage in setting if u using android

I am not using Android. I don't need to confirm. In fact Hotlink is the one who needs to confirm it in the first place, and they mention they do not have the data.

I am going to send them an email now. You are wasting my time here. Learn to read carefully before you post next time. I have said no application is running, and that is my conclusion. You can say express your doubt but I am not asking your opinion on this. I am asking if anyone else has encountered this problem. I don't need your opinion of whether I am 100% sure there are no apps running.

I am using Symbian. Data usage is irrelevant as no application is running.

People here wanna to help even don't have same prob.. u get mad..apa punya olang la

I know you want to help but you are not helping by asking the question which I have mentioned earlier in my post. I am in the midst of finalising my email to SKMM now.

Symbian...how you know your data is stolen if you using symbian?? if you can't prove it, i don't think SKMM will help you also.

Did you try to put your SIM card to another phone to try about one weeks??

Yes, I don't have evidence but SKMM suggested that I put in chronological events with a bit of explanation in that my data was stolen in my email. I had just sent the email over.

From my previous experience with Mobile Internet, no issues were encountered. 350MB can last me for 30 days with some data left which I need to use them all up. But just lately, 350MB only lasted for 5 days with minimal Whatsapp usage.

It doesn't matter if SKMM could help. I just want an explanation or resolution from SKMM or Hotlink. Rather than having the issue hanging. If there is information on the breakdown of the data usage, the investigation would be over. This service provider would usually have this information, in this case Hotlink/Maxis, but they mentioned they don't have the information and hence cannot check and cannot do anything.

maxis dont have USSD code to check balance data qouta?

btw, preciously i also using symbian..and that OS also have background data usage.. make sure u already turn it off.

hope this help.

Go and install some data usage monitor app on your phone and see if your phone use up 350 MB in 5 days. If the app detect 2 MB but hotlink shows you have used 350 MB, screenshot it and complain ASAP. If the app also detect 350 MB, then something in your phone is eating up the data.

Mobile data usually calculate on the fly by the service provider, rarely it will go wrong unless your simcard has been cloned. But new generation simcard that support umts/lte is difficult to be cloned. If your usage calculate is flawed on the provider side, definitely you are not the first to discover. This kind of issue can cause a vendor to suffer penalty and compensation.

This post has been edited by kons: Jan 7 2015, 01:01 PM

last time i using asha cum low life symbian 4.0.. yes those whatsapp can override data plan on off.. not like android..
i been there using maxis + cum nokia asha..
i scare if whatsapp can ovveride so as other application.. 350 mb is way minimal 1 gb is okay if anything happen..
just to umobile la.. paid 18 ringgit and just leave it or digi xl28 something..

Highly possible background apps is consuming the data which you wont know and you cant detect. As mentioned above, pls install a data monitoring apps to get some evidence.

The data is not stolen, it is your phone background sending data, those free apps or default apps are responsible for that.

Even that your phone are clean / factory default, your phone already include those free apps that background collect data tru your phone.

Hence, turn off data on your phone or don't use smart phone!

For your information, some Symbian Nokia do have internet access. It's just like old Sony Ericsson also able access internet, also having background data transfer.

For you information, if you receive MMS, that data in KB also will count on you.

Pro Advice: please told Maxis CS that you are using Nokia 3310, and how come have internet charges
That's will solve your problem

This post has been edited by owc: Jan 7 2015, 06:14 PM

My phone doesn't have any apps that you claim are responsible for using up the data. The data was intact with all the same apps previously, and just lately the data was used up.

Since the above is speculation unless proven otherwise, you may choose to reword your sentence to "The data MAY NOT be stolen, it is your phone background that MAY be sending the data...". Since you are not the phone user and you do not have any idea what apps are on my phone, all suppositions are based on your instincts and pure guessing.

Thanks for the information. No change in apps for the past 1+ year and no loss in data for the period as well. It was only earlier last week the data was "lost" in a split second. Hence, I don't think it has got anything to do with background apps as most people have suggested here. However, I am open to opinions.

Good Luck with your own instincts and your pure guessing.

I faced the same problem like TS. But I'm using Digi Internet Prepaid Broadband. This happened a few months ago. TS only lost 350 MB of data, me lost like 3-4 GB of accumulated data after topping up for quite long time. Considering I'm able to accumulate the data capacity months after months, how did the data limit just disappeared overnight? I would like to know too. Called Digi helpline and they mentioned the same thing like what happened to TS. Background data running, downloading Youtube and etc, are not my cup of tea and even after checking my apps data usage, I still cannot tally the total data that went missing. I wish TS good luck in searching for the truth,I stopped at calling the Help Line and don't bother to ask anymore. Nowadays, I rarely use the sim cards anymore. Occasionally topping up just to keep it active.

I know Symbian OS can have access to internet. I have surfed the website on several occasions. Even though I was on the internet previously, 350MB can last me for 1 month since I am not a heavy user. Just lately, 350MB was all used up in 4 -5 days without me going into the internet.

This post has been edited by ryder_78: Jan 7 2015, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the reply. Good to hear the same experience. My parents are on Digi and they really sucked in service. They charged on some sms even when you open and read it, something like that which resulted in the loss of credit. The Helpline is not useful at all(usually the service guys are following standard protocol and are not trained to resolve problems), and as my dad is a retiree, he had plenty of time and went to the Digi centre and made a ruckus over there after seeing the manager (he usually gets what he wanted when he goes to see the person-in-charge)

This post has been edited by ryder_78: Jan 7 2015, 07:15 PM

I will leave it to SKMM and Hotlink to reveal the truth. Whatever it is, if SKMM failed to compel Hotlink to reveal the breakdown of data usage (which HOtlink claim they do not have), I am considering to re-activate my YES account since I still have the huddle lying around in the house, unused.

This post has been edited by ryder_78: Jan 7 2015, 07:13 PM

Quota based internet are SCAMS!

Lost of data through leakages and failed downloads have all your money burnt!

None of the telcos are going to refund you on this. Why do consumers ask to be burdened by such complications?

Imagine you download a 1GB file with no resume function and it fails at 950MB, you can only blame yourself by supporting these money diggers.

As I said Professional Advice = Please told your Maxis Customer Service that you are using Nokia 3310, and how come have internet charges, ask them waive all internet charges or you will report to Bar Counsel, Pesuruhjaya Sumpah, Tribuna KPDNKK.

If still have 2 years contract with Maxis, you able escape with that. The Device you keep & able to terminate without penalties if they refuse to waive the internet charges potion.

P/S: you just need to proof to Maxis you are using Bangala Device

That's will solve your problem

This post has been edited by owc: Jan 8 2015, 10:50 AM

An update. Maxis called me today after SKMM had initiated the case(I lodged a complaint to SKMM on 7th January, which is about 2 weeks earlier). Maxis advised that they do not have the breakdown of the usage data of customers and said they can't do anything about the loss of data. They will need to inform SKMM of the same.

Nowadays I switch off the data plan(offline) whenever I am not on Whatsapp, in which Maxis also agreed on this solution to prevent unnecessary loss of data.