blog Just when you thought Vodafone’s problems couldn’t get any worse … they just did. Remember that potential class action lawsuit which local firm Piper Alderman had been promoting back in December 2010 in the wake of Vodafone’s ‘Vodafail’ problems? Well, it’s back, it’s on, and some 23,000 people have registered their interest (although its not clear yet how many have or will formally join the action). The media release (there’s also more concrete examples in the PDF of customer tales of woe):

Law firm Piper Alderman has announced plans to proceed with a class action against Vodafone. The action relates to Vodafone customers experiencing calls dropping out, reception issues, weak data and internet performance and poor customer service in 2010 and 2011.

Sasha Ivantsoff, the partner leading the action for Piper Alderman said: “We know of a doctor who couldn’t receive calls in the hospital, a mother who couldn’t contact her child’s day care centre and people who have had their credit rating unfairly tarnished by Vodafone.”

“We believe consumers have overpaid for services that were not provided, or were misled into signing contracts with Vodafone when there was no mobile coverage in their area. We ask anyone who has experienced issues with their Vodafone service to sign up for our action by visiting www.piperalderman.com.au.”

No single claim against Vodafone is big enough to warrant its own legal action, so Piper Alderman and LCM Litigation Fund (“LCM”) will group thousands of small claims together into one action. Patrick Coope, the Managing Director of LCM, said:

“Listening to the experiences people have had with Vodafone I’m pleased to support this action so class members can participate on a no-win no-fee basis. Vodafone customers were unable to make or receive calls in areas that should have coverage like metropolitan airports and the CBD.”

“Vodafone has publically admitted to these faults and accepted that they responded inadequately to the complaints and concerns of their customers. While their customers appreciate the acknowledgement, it comes far too late for many people who have suffered as a direct result of Vodafone’s failure to provide them with the services they signed up for.”

Since first announcing their intention to build the class action in December 2010, Piper Alderman has received more than 23,000 registrations of interest to participate from Vodafone contract holders. It is not too late to join the class and those interested may do so by visiting www.piperalderman.com.au.

Piper Alderman aims to file the claim against Vodafone within three months. Complaints range from losses sustained by small businesses to the inability to make calls during times of emergency. The claim will focus on Vodafone’s misleading and deceptive conduct and other breaches of the Australian Consumer Law. Evidence will centre on dropped calls, reception issues and poor data performance experienced by millions of Vodafone, 3 and Crazy Johns customers.”