I just got a $7,000 cell phone bill....*UPDATED* post #146*

[Treysdad]

No, you didn't read that wrong. Actually, it is $7,243.29 total charges. When I first opened it and saw the charges I thought, there must be an error somewhere. I started looking at the charges and I was being charged for text messages. Some of them were $9.99 and $19.99 charges under the text area and even some for $29.99. Well, there it is. I have unlimited texts every month. I mean sometimes I will send/receive over a hundred a day. So I call Nextel Care.

Of course I am all giddy because they have made an error right? Well, to my surprise they didn't. The guy on the phone is looking at my bill and tells me that most of the charges are from third parties. I'm like wtf? He says that although I may have unlimited text messages, the texts I am sending and receiving carry additional charges. Basically when I send a text to get my horoscope, they are registering me for some subscription for $29.99. I've sent out hundreds of those texts you see on tv. Now I'm pissed. moreso at these companies that don't tell you that you are being charged so much to get a fricken joke or something everyday. I tell the guy that I have unlimited texts and I should be able to send and receive all I want based on my text message plan.

He asked me if I knew that when I sent the original text did I know I was signing up for these subscriptions. I tell him that I have sent out texts to get my horoscope, jokes, love tips, whatever. I get them all day long pretty much nonstop. I never knew they were gonna charge me a seperate fee. I mean a text message is a text message is it not? Now the guy tells me there isn't anything Nextel can do. They aren't the ones charging me. What the fuck am I supposed to do with a cell phone bill over 7k dollars? I can't pay it. At least not all at once. Is there another way to dispute these charges so I don't have to pay?

[Tackleberry]

someones fucked

[02flstang]

that sucks but every single one of those ads i've seen shows or says (in the auctioneer voice) that by sending a message you are signing up for something for a monthly fee.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Wow. That's even more than my monthly phone sex bill. Good luck.

[DaniellaRella]

Hol-e-shit

[Treysdad]

that sucks but every single one of those ads i've seen shows or says (in the auctioneer voice) that by sending a message you are signing up for something for a monthly fee.

Yeah I mean, I get little snippets on celebrities and up to date info on who is dating who and shit. I never knew they charged seperately. To me, a text is a text and since I have unlimited how can they charge me extra? Never heard any voice saying I am signing up for something. Is there anything I can do?

[truffle_shuffle!]

you should of reported the phone stolen .. damn bro... Im sooo sorry.

[02flstang]

Yeah I mean, I get little snippets on celebrities and up to date info on who is dating who and shit. I never knew they charged seperately. To me, a text is a text and since I have unlimited how can they charge me extra? Never heard any voice saying I am signing up for something. Is there anything I can do?

watch the movie fight club and take notes?

seriously though man, I don't know what you can do because it's not like the charges were fraudulent...what I would be concerned right now with is how to unsubscribe from that junk though before the bills keep racking up...unless they've stopped your service.

[Treysdad]

seriously though man, I don't know what you can do because it's not like the charges were fraudulent...what I would be concerned right now with is how to unsubscribe from that junk though before the bills keep racking up...unless they've stopped your service.

I just got the bill. I have basically a month or so to pay it before they cut service but hell, they might as well. I can't afford it anyway! How do i unsubscribe? Is it like a cell phone, I'm locked in for 2 years?

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Gee, if they cut service that means you'll only have about a million other services to choose from.

Dunno what to tell you buddy. You could probably fight it. If it's happened to you then it's happened to a lot of other people. Find them, there is strength in numbers.

[02flstang]

I just got the bill. I have basically a month or so to pay it before they cut service but hell, they might as well. I can't afford it anyway! How do i unsubscribe? Is it like a cell phone, I'm locked in for 2 years?

I mean unsubscribing from those txt messaging services you unknowingly signed up for. Did you sign up on a website or you just sent a message to a number you saw on tv? if it was on tv, they should have sent you an initial message explaining how to opt out. otherwise you should be able to go to their website and unsubscribe there. call your cell carrier and let them know you want to put a block on all 3rd party charges so they need authorization from you in the future. here's an article I found about this situation

http://cbs3.com/seenon/local_story_207115213.html

try and speak to a supervisor and see how much they can help you out in getting as many charges as possible removed and see if they will work out a payment plan so they don't just cut off your service.

[Sabotage]

holy shit, thats crazy!

[Treysdad]

http://cbs3.com/seenon/local_story_207115213.html

try and speak to a supervisor and see how much they can help you out in getting as many charges as possible removed and see if they will work out a payment plan so they don't just cut off your service.

Thanks I'm checking that site out now. Payment plan? I wonder how long it will take to pay it off?

[jabtay]

Everyone of those commercials have nice fine print that explain the charges. I dont know what to tell ya man.

[TampaTraps]

post the bill, cover your personal info. until then b.s

[66impalass]

post the bill, cover your personal info. until then b.s

word, give you benefit of the doubt, if you have a $200 a month cell plan, so that is $6800, if majority of the charges are $30 per text, that is 227 services you signed up for, that is impossible

[Treysdad]

word, give you benefit of the doubt, if you have a $200 a month cell plan, so that is $6800, if majority of the charges are $30 per text, that is 227 services you signed up for, that is impossible

That's what I said. I watch alot of late night tv. Sometimes 5-8 commercials a night come on that interest me. I don't know. Let me see if Kimmy is up and I can have her scan my bill for me so I can post it up. Oh and because of my billing cycle, I have gotten charged twice for the same service. In other words, for two months. At least that's what the guy at Nextel care stated.

[NikkiXoXo]

Gheez ... Ok I work for alltel and YES there is a way you can dispute them .. Yes They are valid charges .. and your carrier is not responsible for them .. but If you call nextel they can provide you with the #'s to the company's .. and you can speak straight with them and dispute it , say something like Trey downloaded it "since he is not 18" and then they should be able to apply a credit to the account .. from other customers accounts I have dealt with , I have seen the company's credit it back it might take 2 bill cycle's for it to show up on your bill .. And did they tell you how to stop these downloads ?? If not let me know and I can help you out ... BUT FOR EVERYONE ELSE IF IT SAYS "TEXT TO THIS # AND YOU GET THIS OF THE DAY !" ITS NOT FREE! it says it in small print on the bottom of the commercials and also on the web pages !

[66impalass]

That's what I said. I watch alot of late night tv. Sometimes 5-8 commercials a night come on that interest me. I don't know. Let me see if Kimmy is up and I can have her scan my bill for me so I can post it up. Oh and because of my billing cycle, I have gotten charged twice for the same service. In other words, for two months. At least that's what the guy at Nextel care stated.

Oh shit I missed the part that you said nextel, uhm good luck with that, they are horrible since sprint bought them. I was disappointed when I had to get rid of them

[KuJoe]

Fine print > You

Sorry to hear but it's people like you keeping these companies in business, you weren't even remotely curious as to why they would spend so much money on a TV commercial if it was free?