Claim by the local start-up that its electronic payment service can pay household bills has been countered by four firms
SHIRLEY ZHAO
SHIRLEY.ZHAO@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 10 November, 2015, 11:04am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 10 November, 2015, 11:13am
Four utility companies have said they did not authorise the TNG service. Photo: Felix Wong
A claim by a local start-up that its electronic payment service can pay household bills for users has been countered by four utility companies, who say they never authorised the service.
The dispute marks the second time the TNG Wallet smartphone app has hit headlines in recent days, after its registering service was overwhelmed last week by internet traffic from users attracted by a time-limited special offer, which left many complaining they were unable to top up their accounts.
In press releases and statements, the Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas), Wharf T&T, HK Electric Investments and CLP Power Hong Kong all denied authorising TNG to handle their bills.
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“[We] found that TNG, without Towngas authorisation, represents that it can collect payments in settlement of our customers’ gas bills through its service,” said Towngas. “Towngas hereby clarifies and confirms that we have not authorised TNG to collect customers’ gas bill payments on our behalf.”
The other three companies issued similar statements.
TNG was founded in 2012 and the e-payment service was introduced to the market late last year. Users can top up their TNG accounts at 7-Eleven stores, 759 stores, Jetco ATMs and banks.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1877349/tng-bill-payment-service-not-authorised-hong-kong-utility
