I went to my local 2degrees store at the beginning of this year to buy a sim card for my iPhone. I was impressed by how quickly I was asked if I needed help, and following that the transaction was simple, quick, and completely normal.

Two days later, however, I received a weird text from a number I didn't recognize. The text said something along the lines of "i saw u yesterday lol" followed by "it's bob [not real name] from 2 degrees". I replied saying I think you've got the wrong number ... thinking to myself ... it must be a mistake, it can't possibly be the guy who sold me the sim card. Only to get a response saying that Bob was, indeed, the guy who sold me the sim card.

Obviously this did not sit well with me. I did not give this guy my number - therefore he had no right to go into his company data to access my contact details. Basically, I was completely creeped out.

So I called the customer service line - and the guy I spoke to was great. He said that normally they would ask me to contact the store directly, but that he understood that in this situation that would be awkward, so they would contact the store manager for me. I said that I wanted to know what the outcome was, and he said of course, we will call you back to let you know what we've done in a few days. I asked if it would be within the week, as I obviously now wanted to change my cellphone number. He said yes, I said great. I was happy.

10 days later, no word from 2degrees. So I called them up. The rep said that the store had only been told the day before, so she had no further information for me, but that they would be in touch when they knew more.

Two weeks later (today), I give them a call again, as I haven't heard anything, and I've finally changed my number, being sick of waiting. After a tonne of mucking around, the rep finally reads my complaint notes and tells me that after they told the store manager, they closed the file, and I would receive no further information. I protested that I had been told that I would be informed of the outcome, and she apologized and said there was nothing she could do. I pointed out that there is now a store in my town that I can't even walk past alone because it freaks me out too much ... she apologized, there's nothing she can do.

So I called the Privacy Commissioner who advised me to ask 2degrees if I can speak to their privacy officer, and failing that to lodge a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner's Office. I have emailed 2degrees asking how I can contact their privacy officer, but might call them tomorrow as my patience is definitely wearing thin.

All I want is to feel like my complaint has been taken seriously, and to be told of the steps the store has taken to ensure that their staff know that customer details are private and not to be accessed for personal use. I also want to know that the 2degrees employee has (at the very least!) learnt that stealing a customer's number from the company database will not get you laid. Perhaps he mistook me for an Edward Cullen-loving teenager - who have to be the only girls who think boundary crossing stalking behaviour is cute. Unfortunately for him, I'm older than I look (plus I have much better taste in books. And men.) But I digress.

This has been so disappointing, as previously I have had nothing but good things to say about 2degrees - and all because I liked their customer service, of all things.