Improper "Data Use" Charges by Verizon and Other Wireless Service Providers

January 13, 2010 - Seattle, WA

TBS is investigating claims that Verizon and other cellular wireless providers are overbilling customers for data use, text messages and other services, including billing for data use when pre-programmed keys on their phones accidentally launch a web browser. Improper data use charges can result from a variety of deceptive and unfair billing practices. Some of the more common scenarios include:

• charging for minimal data use associated with accidental connections to the internet cause by pre-programmed phone keys;
• charging for texts or data use when no such service was used by the customer and being unable to explain the charge;
• charging for data use even when internet service was supposedly blocked;
• delayed and inaccurate reporting of data use;
• changing the terms of a customer's plan from "minutes based charges" for certain services to "data usage" based charges with inadequate notice;

If you have had any problems with improper charges from Verizon or other cellular providers, please contact us by emailing cellphone@tousley.com. Please click here to read our disclaimer before sending us an email.

Further Reading

Teresa Murray’s Column Exposing Verizon’s Problems with Data Use Charges
http://www.cleveland.com/moneymatters/index.ssf/2009/08/verizons_199_data_usage_charge.html

New York Times Columnist David Pogue
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/verizon-how-much-do-you-charge-now/

FCC Letter to Verizon
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2535A1.pdf

Verizon Response to FCC
http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/12182009VerizonLetter.pdf

Teresa Murray’s Column About Verizon’s response to the FCC
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/verizons_phantom_data_usage_ch.html

David Pogue’s Column About Verizon’s Response to the FCC
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/verizon-responds-to-consumer-complaints/