at&t mobility Phantom Data Usage Overcharges Carol Stream, Illinois

Back in April I received a text message from AT&T stating that I had gone over my data charges.  I was floored because I never come anywhere near my limit.

I called them and they told me they couldn't tell me how I went over just that I did go over and they were charging me an extra $15.  I told them this was not valid and they disagreed.

I was watching the news last night, 5-19-11, and heard a story that AT&T is have a class action suit filed against them for just such charges!  I couldn't believe it.

This morning I went on line to look at my bill and noticed that these so called valid charges all took place after 11PM at night.  I called AT&T to discuss with them again that these charges were not valid and to please check my history on data usage and they will see that I never come close to my limit.  They agreed that I never come close to my limit but still insisted that these were valid charges.  I mentioned that the high volume of data usage was always after 11pm and they said that is probably when the actuall billing is done. I dissagreed and asked that these charges be removed.  They refused.

I asked if they were aware that AT&T is being accused of excessive over charging on data usage and of course they said no.  I said that their supervisor would probably be aware and could I talk to that person.  I was told all supervisors were "in a meeting".  I asked if she was aware that there is a class action suit in California against AT&T for over charging and she said no.  I told her that maybe I should contact the news channel that had the report and get more information on the class action suit.  She came back on the line ans said she had to release the call because I mentioned suing them and she disconnected the call.

I then did some searching on the internet and found an article from Rochester NY on 5/19/2011 regarding this same issue.  The interesting part in this article is that they state that "there is unusual activity on the bill in the middle of the night when we're all sleeping".  Exactly when my bill is showing the usage!  There are even articles stating that the usage was done on a brand new phone that had not been turned on.

There is also a report on TechSpot News website that "in an interview with MSNBC, Barry Davis likened the discovery to a rigged gas pump that only dispenses 9/10's of a gallon.  Davis said the researchers recorderd discrepancies that bloated every single data transaction.  Affected uses may only pay an extra $10 or $15 per month..."  $15 is exactly what I am being charged!

I am very frustrated with AT&T escpecially with all the information I have given them on past usage history, the times these chunks of data usage happen and so on!  I just want my $15 refunded to me.

Beth