AT&T Charged Me $10.48 for NOT REPLYING to Their Text Message New York, New York

My wife & I are senior citizens. We have cell phones and cell phone service through AT&T only for emergency use.

On this month's bill, we noticed an extra charge of $10.48 for my phone. Normally I pay just the minimum $9.99 per month.

In looking at the billing details, it showed the charge as "DirectBill Communications Downloads - (See DirectBill Download Details)". Under the details section was listed: Description: "Dada.net". Under Merchant name was listed: "Upoc Networks". I had no idea what this was so we called AT&T. We were told that this referred to a text message sent to me by AT&T themselves. They said the charge to me was because I did not respond to their message. (I know nothing about text messaging).

This is not only highly unethical but should be illegal. The company, of their own volition, sent me an unwanted text message. Then they have the nerve to charge me $10.48 for NOT REPLYING.

To me, this represents the worst kind of RIPOFF. A huge major corporation, normally trusted, had a group of people somewhere in the back rooms of their organization dream up this unbelievably unethical tactic to make money for the company. I know many people, particularly seniors, who just pay what they are billed. Phone bills are at the top of the "hardest bills to understand" list. I am completely appalled by this and am also filing a complaint with the FTC.

Ken
Birmingham, Alabama
U.S.A.