Phone bill delivers a rude surprise

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Many people can get get a bit of a shock when they see the charges on their telephone account, but few expect to be insulted into the bargain.

But that's what happened to an Auckland businessman when he received his mobile phone bill Monday from Telecom New Zealand, the nation's largest communications carrier.

On the bill James Storrie discovered a $NZ 337.50 ($140) charge listed as being a "penalty for being an arrogant bastard".

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Storrie said he complained to Telecom NZ last week that his phone had been disconnected, the New Zealand Herald newspaper reports Wednesday.

He was told the phone was cut off after being reported stolen, although it had not been.

Telecom NZ has now launched an inquiry into how the insulting account came into being.

Storrie told the newspaper he was unaware of having any enemies within Telecom NZ, or any friends who might have sent the account as a practical joke.

Three years ago he made a complaint because of a problem with a Yellow Pages advertisement for his company, but that was settled last year.

"How can they speak to their clients like this?" he said. "It's downright rude."

A Telecom NZ spokesman said the company was "absolutely aghast" by what had happened and had apologized to Storrie.