I went to Maxis counter which located at Velocity Mall this evening (20/10/2018) at around 5pm something to purchase Maxis Hotlink prepaid 6GB, 30 days data plan.

Initially I top up RM30 as the Hotlink Red showing got promotion for the 6GB, 30 days plan with the price of RM28. After top up, I checked my Hotlink Red app and it shows the balance of RM27 something instead of RM30.
The staff there explain to me that there was SST charges for the RM30 top up and I was OK with that explanation.

Therefore, I was going to top up another RM10 again to ensure that my balance is enough for me to purchase the Hotlink Prepaid 6GB, 30 days plan, but before I manage to top up another RM10, I saw my balance was auto deducted from RM27 to RM23 something. So, I immediately reported this issue to the staff there to help check, so while the staff checked for the issue, then I found that my balance had deducted again from RM23 to RM20 something.

OMG, what is wrong with Maxis Hotlink system, they robbed my prepaid credits in front of me. I lost RM7 within 3 minutes.
The staff there told me that I should turn of my phone data during the top up. This is ridiculous.
Imagine if I top up RM100 in my prepaid account and purchase the mentioned Prepaid 6GB, 30 days data plan now. After 1 month it expired and if I didn't notice that or I was too busy to top up and renew the plan immediately, with the speed of losing RM7 per 3 minutes, what will happened to my remaining balance?
This totally doesn't make sense at all. How can they deduct my prepaid credits without my permission?

Then i went to hotlink portal and sign in an account there to check the E-Statement and found out this:

20-10-18 16:32:28 Special Rebate 00:00:00 Special Rebates RM1.70 RM 30.06
20-10-18 16:34:13 GPRS 00:01:33 Data RM10.00 RM 20.06
20-10-18 16:45:06 Special Rebate 00:00:00 Special Rebates RM0.57 RM 30.06
20-10-18 16:49:25 6GB/30 days 00:00:00 MI Purchase RM28.00 RM 2.06

I was wondering, what is this GPRS that cost me RM10? When did I request for this service? I was trying to renew my 6GB, 30days data plan, why should I request for this GPRS?
so ends up I spend RM38 for the 6GB, 30 days data plan instead of RM28 as they offered.

I demand for a refund on this.

what should I do? any advise?






Attached File(s)
 document_2_.pdf ( 138.7k ) Number of downloads: 29

Did you had an active plan, when you using hotlink app before you purchase new plan? If no, then hotlink app uses internet to load the stuff and you are being charged for that.

u got whatapps in phone right or apps that use internet such as mail? then its will suck up ur data when connect to internet unless u restrict it

Nope, i don't have any active internet plan, but anyway, my friend had explain everything to me.
the purpose i apply for this 6GB, 30days internet package is purely for my whatsapp or some internet surf purpose. i was planning to apply for new 1 on 20/10/2018 ever since my previous package expired on 17/10/2018. I didn't expect all these balance deduction during the last applied.


thanks for your advise.

I was also being charged for the GPRS thingy. But

1. no data plan
2. phone mobile data is off
3. phone location is off
4. sim is in 2nd slot (this is backup num), primary num is in sim1 slot.

what could be the issue?

Extra Note: Your pdf attachment contains your personal info? Suggest you to remove it.




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Use 2G only?

Network mode:
3G/2G (auto connect)

Look like on specific time, no morning, midnight
Apps auto use data?

Seriously I do not know what apps keep using 'GPRS'. Google Maps?
But this maxis sim is on slot2, where as mobile data is only for my other sim on sim1 slot.
And it happened at any random time.
As for now, I already removed the maxis sim from phone.


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Hi.. could anyone advise on the root causes and how to effectively avoid gprs charges while still able to use hotlink sim card ?

Thanks in advance.

did you know that if you do not have mobile data plan activated it will consume your credit as pay per use. So you should turn off data until u received an sms from maxis that your data plan is activated before you turn on mobile data.

You did not request but as long as your data is on without a plan it will consume your credit

This post has been edited by Theoutspokenguy: Feb 18 2019, 03:58 PM

I'm afraid u don't understand full story,
even if u disable mobile data all the time,
and disable Wi-Fi assisstant (which will automatically switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data while Wi-Fi is weak) ,
it still charging RM0.10 until the money is depleted.

Something is wrong at their server site for years (we had heard alotx of these stories within these years), and it keep happen and happen again.

Since hotlink removed the e-statement website login from their hotlink website last year,
something like this is expected more and more...
coz, sb who was using website to check thier e-statement, was forced to put their simcard into smartphone to check the e-statement, and that may trigger the mystery RM0.10 charge anytime even without their notice..

This post has been edited by hashtag2016: Feb 24 2019, 02:00 PM

i used alot phones before and i can guarantee i never get this kind of charge. Mostly is user problem and very rare is phone issue.

My hotlink is HYC i been using close to 10 years as a spare number and i do not have a data plan. First thing to do is to turn off mobile data and if you have dual sim for samsung switch the mobille data to point to the other sim.

option 2 you can point the apn to another wrong apn until you activate the data. then you point back the correct apn

This post has been edited by Theoutspokenguy: Feb 24 2019, 02:07 PM

yes, and no.
when u will get it ,and u get it.
Even u use the same phones and same habit for years (or even decade) without issue,
suddently it just showing up..

I also a veteran hotlink user with multiple phones.
I can very sure that there is something wrong in their system that will trigger the RM0.10 gprs charge.

changing your phone setting or habit is not an good option, I'm afraid.
they should improve their system.

This post has been edited by hashtag2016: Feb 24 2019, 02:17 PM

i am sorry to hear that but i glad to say i havent face such issue when i set it right.

I think nobody will believe it until they see it with their own eyes (including me)..

I agree with you, when you get it you get it, my hotlink been using it for 20+ years no issues with GPRS charges until towards end of last year, out the blue my RM20+ deducted every day for 2 months until all my credits gone. All my settings set up correctly and no deductions up to October last year. Maxis has a problem with their network leakage and I have to pay for their mistakes. On my Android phones I really have to dig into the settings to fine tuned the mobile data GPRS leakage. For now no further deductions. Btw Hotlink refunded all my $ on my Android phone. If you have iPhone it’s harder to stop this GPRS deductions.

This post has been edited by HippyTony: Feb 24 2019, 03:37 PM

Yes, do not give in to Hotlink. Just report to MCMC and they will refund you the money.

Previously got try before set to wrong apn.. Unfortunately, I still can go to Google website with turn on the data plan..
Straight away turn off the data plan to see the deduct main balance.. It's cost me RM0.20/sen gone..

The only way is request Hotlink to permanent turn off.. 100000 years don't use their data...

Yup. I ask them to cancel my gprs. Hope no more credit steal by them anymore