$10,000 Bill... For Text Messages
Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:49PM EDT
See Comments (194)
The cell phone industry hasn't exactly been shy about billing its customers for all manner of things. Roadside assistance... without your asking for it? That'll be $2.99 a month. Ha, that's nothing. Now one customer, Sean Clark, has been slapped with a bill for a whopping 10 grand, because his developmentally disabled daughter sent a mound of text messages to a "premium" chat line, which billed an extra $1 or $2 per message it sent out.
Ironically, big texting bills drove Clark to upgrade his daughter's cell phone plan to an "unlimited" texting plan. What he didn't realize was that she was sending messages to a premium text system, the equivalent of a 1-900 telephone number. These services sent numerous messages to the daughter for a buck or more a pop, billed over and above any standard texting fees. The come-on: the promise of "romantic dialogs with 'cool guys.'"
Given the back-and-forth nature of a text message chat, bills can skyrocket quickly. $100 an hour wouldn't be unusual at all.
Clark's carrier, Sprint, offered a 50 percent refund considering the circumstances, but the third-party services running the chat systems haven't budged. He's clearly hoping awareness will help his cause and hopefully save others the same headache.
If your kids (or anyone else) carry cell phones, remember that premium texting services are almost never blocked by default, and many carriers don't offer a way to block them at all. Call your carrier and ask about blocking if you're worried such a situation could happen to you. If it isn't offered, you might consider turning off text messaging altogether.
Top 5 Posts
More About Cell Phones
Comments on $10,000 Bill... For Text Messages
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
67 Posted by strongcustomerservice on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse
I know a better way! No text messages at all! Just a phone!!
-
68 Posted by boxersdodrool on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse
Why would she need a text feature is she is as delayed as he states? Also, she seems to know enough to try to talk to the opposite sex as opposed to just friends. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm....
-
69 Posted by tenda_roni_us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:00PM EDT Report Abuse
I do not reccommend taking the phone. She probably has to depend on some one else for everything. She needs to feel her independence. But I do agree with with rogueist maybe you can get her myspace mobile or something like that. cause this is crazy. I would take this to court though. If it were me. Granted the msgs were valid but even someone who isnt developmentally disabled can get swindled like this easy if they are careful. These companies know what they are doing when they sneak these so called premiunm costs on there
-
70 Posted by rrhaddox on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse
they are all rip offs ! terrible service and you have to fight to get things corrected easer to chat on line
-
71 Posted by writerswrite2005 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow - this could be a real problem for someone who has their cellphone stolen. I am going to find out how to password protect my phone - maybe that will help.
-
72 Posted by lizbeth21_00 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse
Thats crazy, My aunts phone had these premium text services, but she dont text and I had a heck of a time getting them off. I think one of her kids put them on their once. They tell you to text STOP but some of these companies will not recognize and keep sending these stupid texts. I had to block everything because of this. Finally after 5 months and close to 1000 dollars later and one number change I finally got it off.
-
73 Posted by rachel_villaneda on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:25PM EDT Report Abuse
No phone. No Phone Bill for 10 Grand...Easy Peasy
-
74 Posted by jawenzel2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse
Reagrding post 8 - Good will does NOT pay the bills. Sprint went half with the guy. Why is it Sprint's resposibility to make sure who and what he or his daughter are texting? Please. Sprint was more than fair. Or are yo one of those people who wants something for nothing ALL the time, like it's owed to you? Post 9 - It's an article for the layman. using 1-900 is an easy analogy to texting a premium service. You're probably one of those that point out plot faults in movies that are completely fictitious, aren't you. Sheesh!
-
75 Posted by sac7743 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse
good thats what she gets for being a ----- in loser
-
76 Posted by coughlan_nick on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse
PEOPLE OF THIS MESSAGE BOARD!! please realise that although the bill came from sprint - the charges came from the premium text message service. Because of the daughters actions, sprint were billed by the premium content company. Sprint were simply passing the bill along to the customer. Further to this, the premium content company would have made their charges very clear when the daughter signed up for the texting service. Sprint should not have given the customer any money back at all. The fact that they did shows how highly they regard their customers. Its not simply a case of them wiping the slate clean. They are actually having to pay the premium text company for the daughters usage themselves.
-
77 Posted by gjstylist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse
I used to work for a major cell phone carrier and the company who did this is a hacker of sorts,the carrier knows about it and they don't care,they can remove the charges,they just don't want to.It happens more then you know. they can resolve the matter you have to keep calling and ask for supervisor and tell them the situation you have to just keep calling until you get a person who actually cares about people and will help. they DO know they just want your money thats it end of story,don't let it drop keep after them.
-
78 Posted by mothy555 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse
My kids (13 and 11) will not get a cell until they learn other basic responsibilities (ie. clean room without being told, stop leaving empty rappers in the back of "my" car, you drop it - you pick it up, etc.)
-
79 Posted by aasberry01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:43PM EDT Report Abuse
Seem like she needs to get a part time job real fast to pay for the bill and no cell phone until then.
-
80 Posted by gngcleaning on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse
1- I wish I had the time to spend texting. 2- Personally, I think I'd look stupid typing in a so small device, being able to SPEAK over the same device. 3- I use my cell phone just because my work demmand it, other than that I don't even use my home phone.
-
81 Posted by dana0721 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse
This is so sad
-
82 Posted by mackenziedickson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:02PM EDT Report Abuse
I totally agree with the other posters------where were the parents when this was all happening. What I don't agree with is blaming Verizon---they offered a service, they tell you in advance what it will cost, and then they charge you for what you use. Premium text services are EXACTLY like 1-900 numbers---the service bills you through the cell company for services you use. She has a $10,000 bill, but most of that would be charges from the premium text company, since she stated they have unlimited test messages through Verizon. Bottom line-----don't use services you don't want to pay for, and if you are a parent that gives their kids cell phones, educate yourself about what they can do and not do with the phones!!!
-
83 Posted by waterworksgardening on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:40PM EDT Report Abuse
I have never heard of a premium chat line,,What is it? Thanks?
-
84 Posted by alferi@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse
America is becoming a society of Ferengi - A contract is a contract is a contract right ! Profit and greed is the only good. AND IF IT STANDS IN THE WAY OF PROFIT IF you can't convert it get rid of it through elimination by any means possible ! Humainty is nothing more than a comodety to be exploited and manipulated. Evil takes many forms. Corperations serve only them selves. As the mob says -Hey look -iv'e got nothing against you but business is business- so we have to do what we have to do with out limit compassion or restraint !!
-
85 Posted by plbrockway on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
have a block put on her phone for texting
Sponsored Links
My Tech
Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.
Also on Yahoo! Tech
| Computers | Home Office | Wi-Fi & Networking | Phones & PDAs | Cameras & Camcorders | TV & Home Theater | Portable Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
66 Posted by mrshaun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse
any text that you send to a 5 digit number that is not related to your service provider will more than likely charge you a fee, and also add you to a monthly plan and they will just keep charging you. You authorize them to charge you when you text them the first time. I will never text to any number that I do not know. Parents should check their kids phones and make them keep all messages sent and received. If my uncle knew what was on his daughters text logs then he would smash her phone into a million pieces..... Kids are trying to grow up way too fast and parents need to learn how to take care of thier children before they give them a phone.