Thread: OT read your phone bill?

Polly Esther <[email protected]> wrote:

>Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
>to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible to say
>the least. Six pages. But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages
>and data.
> I do not do text messages.
> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.

I get both spam an wrong-number incoming calls, and they might be
texts, voice, or images. They are sometimes a significant fraction
of my usage/billing. I haven't gotten to the level of complaining about
it yet.


S.

did you get them removed? Lee

"Polly Esther" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
> to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible to say
> the least. Six pages. But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages
> and data.
> I do not do text messages.
> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring constantly'
> or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have your phone bill at
> hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us are being gouged with
> padded charges that we never even noticed. Polly

Polllly Esther" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
>to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible to say
>the least. Six pages.

6? You lucky gal.<g> We only have 3 phones on our plan these days so
ours has shrunk from 50+ to 20ish.

> But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages and data.
> I do not do text messages.
> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring constantly' or
>waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have your phone bill at hand
>to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us are being gouged with padded
>charges that we never even noticed. Polly

I hesitate to blame Verizon for this and the other various unexplained
charges on my phone bill- but more likely someone is making a tidy
profit hacking phones or sending a script in a message the we clueless
ones inadvertently activate.

The warning is certainly valid, though-- there are lots of unexplained
charges on phone bills -- and the phone companies are pretty good
about removing them if you call.

Jim

Polly Esther wrote:
> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
> browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill.
> Incomprehensible to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
> charge for incoming text messages and data.
> I do not do text messages.
> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
> constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
> your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
> are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.

I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone
it was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two
TracFones cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
total per month.

I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.

nancy

same reason we ditched ours, i MUST have one for work, so for the few calls
we make of a personal nature its a serious savings, Lee
"Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4deb6a90$0$4662$[email protected] com...
> Polly Esther wrote:
>> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
>> browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible
>> to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
>> charge for incoming text messages and data.
>> I do not do text messages.
>> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
>> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
>> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
>> constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
>> your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
>> are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.
>
> I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it was
> $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two TracFones
> cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
> total per month.
>
> I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.
>
> nancy

On 6/5/2011 6:35 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> Polly Esther wrote:
>> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
>> browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill.
>> Incomprehensible to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
>> charge for incoming text messages and data.
>> I do not do text messages.
>> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
>> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
>> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
>> constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
>> your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
>> are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.
>
> I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it
> was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two TracFones
> cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
> total per month.
>
> I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.
>
> nancy
We've had a Jitterbug for several years now, $14.99 a month with 50
minutes of time on it, we seldom use the phone except when traveling or
when one of us is out of the area for some reason. Time rolls over too.
Old folks phone, big numbers, ring tones, all three or four of them, you
can get texting and internet service, we don't do that with phones. It's
a phone not a toy, and neither of us wants to be connected all the time
anyway. We love the thing, seldom rings, even when we remember to turn
it on or charge it. <G>

George Shirley wrote:
> On 6/5/2011 6:35 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

>> I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it
>> was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two
>> TracFones cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
>> total per month.

> We've had a Jitterbug for several years now, $14.99 a month with 50
> minutes of time on it, we seldom use the phone except when traveling
> or when one of us is out of the area for some reason.

It's so handy. Compare to all I spent on my land line and I
couldn't even take it where I was going.

> Time rolls over
> too. Old folks phone, big numbers, ring tones, all three or four of
> them, you can get texting and internet service, we don't do that with
> phones. It's a phone not a toy, and neither of us wants to be
> connected all the time anyway.

Really, I get that. I used to enjoy my commute as no one could reach
me. Those were pre-cell phone days, obviously.

> We love the thing, seldom rings, even
> when we remember to turn it on or charge it. <G>

(laugh) Same here. At least these phones take a message or you can
see what calls you missed when it was turned off. I'm pretty happy
with the whole situation, myself.

nancy

On Jun 5, 1:06*am, "Polly Esther" <Polly...@cableone.net> wrote:
> Well. *It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
> to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. *Incomprehensible to say
> the least. *Six pages. *But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages
> and data.
> * * I do not do text messages.
> * * I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> * * I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> * * So. *The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring constantly' or
> waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have your phone bill at hand
> to read it. *Just no tellin' how many of us are being gouged with padded
> charges that we never even noticed. *Polly

I notified my phone co. that I never made or rec'd a text and to block
that ability. You should do the same. They adjusted the charge for
me too.

On Jun 5, 8:44*am, George Shirley <gmshir...@suddenlink.net> wrote:
> On 6/5/2011 6:35 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Polly Esther wrote:
> >> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
> >> browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill.
> >> Incomprehensible to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
> >> charge for incoming text messages and data.
> >> I do not do text messages.
> >> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> >> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> >> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
> >> constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
> >> your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
> >> are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.
>
> > I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it
> > was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two TracFones
> > cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
> > total per month.
>
> > I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.
>
> > nancy
>
> We've had a Jitterbug for several years now, $14.99 a month with 50
> minutes of time on it, we seldom use the phone except when traveling or
> when one of us is out of the area for some reason. Time rolls over too.
> Old folks phone, big numbers, ring tones, all three or four of them, you
> can get texting and internet service, we don't do that with phones. It's
> a phone not a toy, and neither of us wants to be connected all the time
> anyway. We love the thing, seldom rings, even when we remember to turn
> it on or charge it. <G>

How's the coverage? I asked a few ppl about Jitterbug and reference
was made to 2 juice cans and a string.

In article <4d324706-40d7-4995-8048-
[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
>
> On Jun 5, 8:44*am, George Shirley <gmshir...@suddenlink.net> wrote:
> > On 6/5/2011 6:35 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > Polly Esther wrote:
> > >> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
> > >> browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill.
> > >> Incomprehensible to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
> > >> charge for incoming text messages and data.
> > >> I do not do text messages.
> > >> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> > >> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> > >> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
> > >> constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
> > >> your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
> > >> are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.
> >
> > > I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it
> > > was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two TracFones
> > > cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
> > > total per month.
> >
> > > I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.
> >
> > > nancy
> >
> > We've had a Jitterbug for several years now, $14.99 a month with 50
> > minutes of time on it, we seldom use the phone except when traveling or
> > when one of us is out of the area for some reason. Time rolls over too.
> > Old folks phone, big numbers, ring tones, all three or four of them, you
> > can get texting and internet service, we don't do that with phones. It's
> > a phone not a toy, and neither of us wants to be connected all the time
> > anyway. We love the thing, seldom rings, even when we remember to turn
> > it on or charge it. <G>
>
> How's the coverage? I asked a few ppl about Jitterbug and reference
> was made to 2 juice cans and a string.

It runs on the Verizon network and should give the same coverage.

On 6/5/2011 9:40 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> George Shirley wrote:
>> On 6/5/2011 6:35 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>>> I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it
>>> was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two
>>> TracFones cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
>>> total per month.
>
>> We've had a Jitterbug for several years now, $14.99 a month with 50
>> minutes of time on it, we seldom use the phone except when traveling
>> or when one of us is out of the area for some reason.
>
> It's so handy. Compare to all I spent on my land line and I couldn't
> even take it where I was going.
>> Time rolls over
>> too. Old folks phone, big numbers, ring tones, all three or four of
>> them, you can get texting and internet service, we don't do that with
>> phones. It's a phone not a toy, and neither of us wants to be
>> connected all the time anyway.
>
> Really, I get that. I used to enjoy my commute as no one could reach
> me. Those were pre-cell phone days, obviously.

No pager?

>> We love the thing, seldom rings, even
>> when we remember to turn it on or charge it. <G>
>
> (laugh) Same here. At least these phones take a message or you can
> see what calls you missed when it was turned off. I'm pretty happy
> with the whole situation, myself.
>
> nancy

On 6/5/2011 8:44 AM, George Shirley wrote:
> On 6/5/2011 6:35 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>> Polly Esther wrote:
>>> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
>>> browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill.
>>> Incomprehensible to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
>>> charge for incoming text messages and data.
>>> I do not do text messages.
>>> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
>>> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
>>> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
>>> constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
>>> your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
>>> are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.
>>
>> I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone it
>> was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two TracFones
>> cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
>> total per month.
>>
>> I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.
>>
>> nancy
> We've had a Jitterbug for several years now, $14.99 a month with 50
> minutes of time on it, we seldom use the phone except when traveling or
> when one of us is out of the area for some reason. Time rolls over too.
> Old folks phone, big numbers, ring tones, all three or four of them, you
> can get texting and internet service, we don't do that with phones. It's
> a phone not a toy, and neither of us wants to be connected all the time
> anyway. We love the thing, seldom rings, even when we remember to turn
> it on or charge it. <G>

Depends how you look at it. Smartphones are no more a toy than your
desktop computer since it is essentially a hybrid phone and portable
computer with a real web browser that can display pretty much anything
your home computer can.

At the store and you aren't sure about something you can do the research
while you are standing there. Reached the restaurant you remembered only
to find it is closed you can look for reviews and ideas for another
place. Walk into the market and there is a bounty of something and you
aren't sure what to make you can research recipes right there and find
an idea and also what else you may need to buy. Want to go for a bike
ride and there is iffy weather where you simply wouldn't bother now you
can stop and look at the live weather radar and still get a ride in
because you can see the direction and speed of the storm. Rent a vehicle
without a GPS, just fire up the GPS on the smartphone.

On Sun, 5 Jun 2011 00:06:18 -0500, "Polly Esther"
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
> to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible to say
> the least. Six pages. But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages
> and data.
> I do not do text messages.
> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring constantly' or
> waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have your phone bill at hand
> to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us are being gouged with padded
> charges that we never even noticed. Polly

Have you stopped your texting service? You're probably being charged
monthly for something you don't use, so stop paying for it! Can't
help you with the internet part because we don't subscribe to that
either... and we don't have sneaky charges showing up on our bills
anymore.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

On Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:26:08 -0400, George <[email protected]>
wrote:

> > Really, I get that. I used to enjoy my commute as no one could reach
> > me. Those were pre-cell phone days, obviously.
>
> No pager?

Many of us skipped right over pagers and went straight to a cell
phone.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

"Kalmia" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Jun 5, 1:06 am, "Polly Esther" <Polly...@cableone.net> wrote:
> Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
> to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible to say
> the least. Six pages. But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages
> and data.
> I do not do text messages.
> I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring constantly' or
> waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have your phone bill at hand
> to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us are being gouged with padded
> charges that we never even noticed. Polly

I notified my phone co. that I never made or rec'd a text and to block
that ability. You should do the same. They adjusted the charge for
me too.
-----

I did the same after receiving a spam text.
Graham

On Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:38:43 -0400, George <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Depends how you look at it. Smartphones are no more a toy than your
> desktop computer since it is essentially a hybrid phone and portable
> computer with a real web browser that can display pretty much anything
> your home computer can.
>
> At the store and you aren't sure about something you can do the research
> while you are standing there. Reached the restaurant you remembered only
> to find it is closed you can look for reviews and ideas for another
> place. Walk into the market and there is a bounty of something and you
> aren't sure what to make you can research recipes right there and find
> an idea and also what else you may need to buy. Want to go for a bike
> ride and there is iffy weather where you simply wouldn't bother now you
> can stop and look at the live weather radar and still get a ride in
> because you can see the direction and speed of the storm. Rent a vehicle
> without a GPS, just fire up the GPS on the smartphone.

Too bad they're so expensive. We pay $80 a month for shared minutes
on our dumb phone.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

In article <7hPGp.618$[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>
> "Kalmia" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> On Jun 5, 1:06 am, "Polly Esther" <Polly...@cableone.net> wrote:
> > Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash browns
> > to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill. Incomprehensible to say
> > the least. Six pages. But I noticed a charge for incoming text messages
> > and data.
> > I do not do text messages.
> > I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> > I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> > So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring constantly' or
> > waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have your phone bill at hand
> > to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us are being gouged with padded
> > charges that we never even noticed. Polly
>
> I notified my phone co. that I never made or rec'd a text and to block
> that ability. You should do the same. They adjusted the charge for
> me too.
> -----
>
> I did the same after receiving a spam text.

There needs to be legislation to the effect that the party originating
the call is responsible for all charges unless the called party
explicity agrees to pay them for that specific call or for calls from
that specific party. It should not be lawful for advertisers and the
like to run up your phone bill by making unwanted calls, sending
unwanted text messages, or otherwise imposing on you.

In article <4deb6a90$0$4662$[email protected]> ,
"Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Polly Esther wrote:
> > Well. It is sort of on topic because I was waiting for frozen hash
> > browns to thaw and just happened to read my phone bill.
> > Incomprehensible to say the least. Six pages. But I noticed a
> > charge for incoming text messages and data.
> > I do not do text messages.
> > I do not use my cell phone for internet data searches.
> > I don't even know how and don't have those options on my plan.
> > So. The next time you're standing at the stove 'stirring
> > constantly' or waiting for the oven to pre-heat or whatever, have
> > your phone bill at hand to read it. Just no tellin' how many of us
> > are being gouged with padded charges that we never even noticed.
>
> I noticed and it drove me crazy. If I didn't even pick up my phone
> it was $50 a month. All those mystery fees. That's why I have two
> TracFones cellphones (different numbers) now and pay about $17
> total per month.
>
> I'm not saying that's for everyone, naturally.
>
> nancy

<lol> Exactly what I do here! I did the math the other day and to
support 2 Tracfones for the past 4 years I've had them run me an average
of $18.00 per month for both of them!
--
Peace, Om
Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>

"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have
come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
-- Mark Twain

On Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:55:54 -0500, Omelet <[email protected]>
wrote:

> <lol> Exactly what I do here! I did the math the other day and to
> support 2 Tracfones for the past 4 years I've had them run me an average
> of $18.00 per month for both of them!

Why is it that people who use cell phones so little have so many of
them?

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.