A cellphone contract taken in a TFG store is an MTN contract. TFG sells and activates it, but the network agreement, the billing and the cancellation sit with MTN, and MTN says so in its own promotion terms: queries go to the MTN call centre. Which number you need depends on whether the problem is the network or the TFG account it is billed to.
MTN, for the contract itself
- MTN call centre: 135 from an MTN number
- From any other network: 083 135
Use MTN for anything about the line: airtime and data allocations, network coverage, a SIM swap, a number port, an upgrade, or cancelling at the end of the term. TFG store staff cannot change a network contract.
TFG, for the account
- TFG customer services: 0860 834 834, or +27 21 938 7096 from outside South Africa
- TFG account queries: 0860 037 755, or +27 21 938 7560 from outside South Africa
- Operating hours: Monday to Saturday 08h30 to 21h00, Sunday 09h00 to 19h00
- Head office: 021 938 1911, Stanley Lewis Centre, 340 Voortrekker Road, Parow East, 7500
Use TFG when the issue is the statement, the instalment, a debit order, or the credit account the contract was loaded onto. If the device was bought on a TFG account, the device debt and the network subscription can be two separate things on one statement, and only TFG can explain that split.
Which TFG stores sell MTN contracts
- Foschini, Markham, Exact, Fashion Express and Sterns
- American Swiss and Mat and May
- sportscene and Totalsports
- hi, the TFG cellular brand
Before you sign in store
Ask for the contract documents in writing and check three things on them: the total monthly instalment and what it is made up of, the length of the term, and the early cancellation charge. Under the Consumer Protection Act you may cancel a fixed-term agreement early with twenty business days notice, but you remain liable for a reasonable cancellation penalty and for the outstanding device balance. Ask what that penalty would be before you sign, not after.
If something goes wrong
- Network, billing or cancellation of the line: MTN on 135 or 083 135, and get a reference number
- Statement or account disputes: TFG customer services on 0860 834 834
- Unresolved after that, ICASA handles complaints about mobile network operators and the National Credit Regulator handles credit agreement complaints