Posted: 7/20/2010 2:23:43 PM EDT
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So I noticed my cell bill is running a little higher than usual again. Once before the kids used texts to send ring tones pictures and it caused a significant spike in data use, so we shut down all data on their phone but retained text messaging.
About 2 months ago we intercepted a bill that was $90 higher - kids found short code applications aka "text some BS to 5 digit number". "Oh its free" was their response...BS. Each subscription cost 10-20 bucks a month and doesn't stop until you text stop to those 5 digit numbers. We sat done and wiped them all out and now there are more. Today, I am pissed. I look at the bill and my family's explanation is that they must have sold the kid's call numbers to these other companies or they changed their names. You have got to be shitting me? I think wife is trying to protect the kids because tossing money into the air on worthless shit like that gets me red hot. So my question to the experts in the cell phone know... can one of these companies subscribe you without your permission or without direct contact from you requesting/texting for their service? Since they bill your phone carrier, I would think not. Any good links on the said subject? I told them next time they were getting the shittiest track phone I could find. Thanks |
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I would put them on the most basic "phone calls only" plan with no text or data of any kind. I don't think that's possible. The phone will always be able to do it and the carrier wants you to do it so they can hose you when you do it for not having a plan. |
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I would put them on the most basic "phone calls only" plan with no text or data of any kind. I don't think that's possible. The phone will always be able to do it and the carrier wants you to do it so they can hose you when you do it for not having a plan. It probably depends on your company. I'm with Verizon and I have texting turned off on my account. |
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I would put them on the most basic "phone calls only" plan with no text or data of any kind. I don't think that's possible. The phone will always be able to do it and the carrier wants you to do it so they can hose you when you do it for not having a plan. It probably depends on your company. I'm with Verizon and I have texting turned off on my account. So am I. Your phone flat out won't send / receive text messages? |
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Quoted: Quoted: Most of use survived growing up without cell phones at all. Just sayin'. I would put them on the most basic "phone calls only" plan with no text or data of any kind. You mean disable texting. If not, when they do text it's going to cost you up the ass. |
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Short answer: Probably. Unless you have 100 % control of access to the account, It's the only way to insure these "free sevices" aren't being accessed. The devil is in the fine details of the service contracts of these services and websites. They hide it under lots of shiny boondaggle and unless your reading It, You'll never know.
There's no such thing as a free meal. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Most of use survived growing up without cell phones at all. Just sayin'. I would put them on the most basic "phone calls only" plan with no text or data of any kind. You mean disable texting. If not, when they do text it's going to cost you up the ass. Yes, that's correct. Make it so they simply cannot use any features other than voice calls. |
| Kids are 14 and 16. Seems as though responsibility these days are not a strong point. I guess I am more disappointed that we have discussed this before and that they (kids and wife) about "oh, no-one did that, it just happens". At least I have a new excuse when packages come from the big brown truck now. |
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Short answer: Probably. Unless you have 100 % control of access to the account, It's the only way to insure these "free sevices" aren't being accessed. The devil is in the fine details of the service contracts of these services and websites. They hide it under lots of shiny boondaggle and unless your reading It, You'll never know.
There's no such thing as a free meal. |
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Abusing the phone = no more phone. Or, you could just let your kids run wild. That's what most people do. I'm not a parent, but I've seen kids very young go ballistic with texting. Especially these days with the problem of children "sexting". I'd vote for cutting out cell phones all together. Many of us grew up without it, and I have to think that it's a good thing I did. |
| Its your kids, not the mobile companies fault. Your carrier should have some sort of content block. Who is the carrier by the way? Your lucky it was only $90.00. Some of the third party content providers have programs that charge $.99 per message. Its a ripp off aimed at children with phones because your kid thinks its cool to text through the program, then you get ass raped on your bill and blame the carrier. These commercials are all over the Disney and Nick channels. "Text 12345 for cool ring tones". Then in the fine print it says must be 18 or older and it cost $9.99 a month and $2.99 for each ring tone. |
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So my question to the experts in the cell phone know... can one of these companies subscribe you without your permission or without direct contact from you requesting/texting for their service? Since they bill your phone carrier, I would think not. Any good links on the said subject? I told them next time they were getting the shittiest track phone I could find. Thanks Yes they can and they don't care...Most of the companies at out of the country and don't follow any type of law...They really don't care...Once your kid texts them...They go to town and don't stop. Try texting the numbers that are billing you and text STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, END...Sometimes this will work or your provider can sometime block them. |
| Not much you can do. I had a girlfriend get sold a "discount calling plan" that she was assured would be free unless she used it. Unfortunately it was at my fucking house. The phone company charged me and when I told them I never signed up they said too bad, someone at my house said OK. I got rid of my land line after that. In your case, the kids went out of their way for this so they really fucked up. I would just make them keep paying until they get the service canceled. Make stupid hurt and they won't be so stupid. |
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Quoted: Kids are 14 and 16. Seems as though responsibility these days are not a strong point. I guess I am more disappointed that we have discussed this before and that they (kids and wife) about "oh, no-one did that, it just happens". At least I have a new excuse when packages come from the big brown truck now. That's your job, Dad. Make it painful to be irresponsible. |