A GREENOCK builder says he has been the alleged victim of a mis-selling practice after BT cut off his phone and internet services then left him with no provider.

Outraged Paul Mclaughlan told the Tele that the telecom giants switched off his services as part of an 'upgrade' to the digital network.

But businessman, who is based in the Larkfield Industrial Estate, realised his lines were still not active weeks later and he says he has lost lost custom as a result.

He was forced to go to Ofcom after being told that he had been moved from his existing provider to BT without his knowledge.

Greenock builder Paul McNellisGreenock builder Paul McNellis (Image: George Munro)

The watchdog then told him was a victim of 'slamming' which is a form of mis-selling.

Fed-up Paul, who has been in business for 34 years, said: "I have lost business because of all this carry on. It has been a nightmare.

"We were sent a letter from BT to say that they were carrying out a upgrade. They were basically taking out the copper wiring and it was some sort of digital provision instead.

"I was told it would be straight forward and there would be little or no disruption."

But days then weeks after the work was carried out Paul was still not connected and then found out he had no provider.

He said: "I realised from the start of July I had no phones or internet. But when I tried to phone I was getting nowhere. I was on my mobile for up to one and a hours getting nowhere fast.

"No-one could tell me what had happpened. The job I do, I am up on top of roofs. I can't be on phones all day.

"When I phoned my own provider Plusnet. They have always been great, they told me BT had informed them that I had left and I was now their customer.

"I didn't know anything about this, it was done without my knowledge. I then got in touch with Ofcom who said what had happened was called 'slamming'.

"But BT never connected me and to be honest I don't want to go to BT. They then tried to increase the cost per month as well. But why would I do that?"

Ofcom say that slamming is an unacceptable form of mis-selling when a phone or broadband is switched without consent.

Meanwhile, Paul has managed to put a temporary measure in place so he can divert calls from his mobile and use a mobile data in the office.

He was told to put in a formal complaint into BT with regards to the network upgrade and switching his provision without his consent.

Paul added: "A month later nothing is sorted. But we have had customers who went elsewhere because they couldn't get through to us.

"I am really angry about all of this and I have heard it has happened to other people as well. I want some sort of action from BT on this. They have yet to deal with my complaint."

We contacted BT, who own Plusnet, about Mr McNellis's situation and the concerns about slamming.

A BT spokesperson said: " As Plusnet is not offering a digital phone service, customers are being transferred to other providers who offer a digital service, as analogue services are phased out.

"We're sorry for the problems Mr Paul Mclaughlan has encountered with the transfer of his service. We're working to try and restore the broadband service as quickly as possible."