Linksys Directs Customers to Dirty Chat Line

Linksys made a grave mistake on the box of WRH54G model wireless router. When customers who purchased these routers tried contacting the tech support using the toll free number printed on the back of the router’s box, they were redirected to an adult phone sex service.

These routers were originally intended to be sold in India. But when Cisco sold these routers in US, they forgot to change the toll free number printed on the back of the box and on user manual. 1-800-425-5797 is the toll free customer support number for their Indian customers, but it connects to some adult phone chat line when dialed by US customers. 800-326-7114 is the correct number for their US customers.

Cisco’s official blog has issued an apology to this problem and they say “We are currently finding a solution to this issue and apologize for any inconvenience or embarrassment this has caused to our customers”. I wonder how? Anyways, Gizmodo has recorded the call on video, check it out.

[Via: Wall Street Journal]

This post was published by on December 2, 2007

About the Author: Thilak Rao works as a Social Media Expert. He is one of the first professional bloggers from India, and he loves to write, travel and click photos. Follow him on Twitter @thilak

  • http://marcvz.net/blog Marc

    This was seriously funny! At first I didn’t get it when I saw it on Digg but I read the comments on the target site and realised that it was a Chennai phone number!

    Damn funny!

  • http://sunnytalkstech.blogspot.com Saptarshi

    Its very odd to see that the number is actually for India and then it didnt get changed for US. Generally its always the other way round where numbers are for US and they are brought to India… May that is another example how India’s becoming a bigger market these days!!

    That must be quite embarrassing for Cisco though.. I remembered the scene from American Pie2 where the walkie-talkie freq is shared by a few people in town and everyone’s listening to stifler and gang!! :lol:

  • http://jeymp3.com Murali

    Considering the quality of this router, hope the adult phone sex service people will be doing a good business.

  • http://tech-buzz.net Thilak

    Murali: Exactly! If the quality is poor, then it would indirectly do some good business to adult phone chat service.

  • http://tech-buzz.net Thilak

    Saptarshi: I’m glad to see an American Pie fan on my blog. Saptarshi Stifler? :lol:

  • http://sunnytalkstech.blogspot.com Saptarshi

    But the current “American Pie Presents” completely suck… Only the first 2 were worth watching!!

  • http://tech-buzz.net Thilak

    Saptarshi: I have to agree with you. The last sequel “American Pie Presents Naked Mile” was the worst one.

  • http://green-flamingo.com Nathaniel

    Yes. Linksys is bad Internet service overall, I think.