Florida man’s trip overseas ends in sticker shock over $143,000 phone bill

ABC Action News ^ | 04/16/2024 | Jackie Callaway

[simpson96]

"Well, this is what you owe," the representative said

DEI hire?

[Yo-Yo]

Pro tip: Don’t stream movies when traveling abroad.

[butlerweave]

OMG turn off your data and everything that uses it , I had unlimited calling but every once in a while they would charge me for data that I never used got rid of that one , LOL

[Red Badger]

When in Roam, shut off the phone................

[Leaning Right]

> They said you’re covered.…” <

Get it in writing. If it’s not in writing it doesn’t exist.

[lee martell]

Never be afraid to question
‘authority’!

[Chicory]

I use data all the time, like when I’m driving (since no one gives directions anymore 😡), but there is a thing in my data settings that warns me if I *approach* going over that limit.

The weird thing is when I go to Europe, I have to buy a European SIM card—my phone won’t allow my regular sim card to work there.

[Red Badger]

Take the pics but don’t send them until you get back in US airspace................

[Red Badger]

DEI user....................

[exDemMom]

Well, at least this time, Florida man was not inventing new ways to break the law.

My ATT service informed me that I automatically went into overseas mode when I used the phone in Mexico. I believe that the overseas service is $100 per month (but I may be mistaken). In any case, it seems that ATT looks after its customers who forget to sign up for the overseas service before they leave.

[smokingfrog]

He was probably only paying for 5gb of data. He should have set up his phone to let him know when he was reaching his data limit. But T-Mobile could have looked to see how much data he typically uses on a monthly basis and warned him or upgraded his plan.

[musicman]

BTTT!!!

[mikey_hates_everything]

“They said you’re covered. Whatever that meant. You're covered,” Rene said.

[Red Badger]

European and North American systems are different...........

[smokingfrog]

If you have an iPhone, your photos are automatically uploaded to iCloud, I think.
I suppose you could maybe sign out of iCloud temporarily, but then I don’t think you’d be able to use your mail or messaging either?

[srmanuel]

Last time I was in Europe about 4 years ago I call AT&T and asked them if there was a plan for International travel, I was 7 countries and after that they gave a rate of $7/day for unlimited voice/text/data and every time you travelled to another country your provider listed on the phone changed

I thought this was easy and straightforward

[z3n]

This sounds like gotcha stuff to me.

I’d probably lose, because of contractual law, but I’d probably sue T-Mobile to find out how much they actually had to pay out in costs on these roaming charges.

[aquila48]

Get a prepaid plan. They can’t charge you beyond what you prepay.

If you go over whatever your prepaid plan covers, you’ll know right away because the phone stops working.

[Red Badger]

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Indeed. And how about a good (old fashioned?) digital camera with an SD card. No data charges with that.