var json_comments = new Array("
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
June 3, 2009 6:17 PM
Moderate | Flag for review

This is a really great idea for people who are responsible for others' cell phone usage.

I know mistakes happen, but whether it's grandpa accidentally signing himself (and you!) up for a $15 a month \"Joke of the Day\" service or the teenagers signing up for the aforementioned Facebook IQ test, this is good to know.

But it's also about personal responsibility. If grandpa actually wants a knock-knock joke on his phone every day, and actually intentionally signed up for it, he should understand he should be paying it (even if you pay for his service in full). At the very least, family members should be discussing this.

An alternative is that since $15 for 30 days of jokes is 50 cents a joke...you could buy him a $6 bargain bin joke book and have him read one to himself every day.

Reply
3 replies
\"user-pic\"
oblivious87
June 3, 2009 7:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pecan 3.14159265: or be super nice and text it to him daily and charge him only $10/month :-D

Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
June 3, 2009 7:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@oblivious87: $14.99, Grandpa! Don't make me ask you again!

Reply
\"user-pic\"
calquist
June 3, 2009 7:48 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pecan 3.14159265: Excellent comment. Kids (and grandpas) need to learn about budgeting and responsibility and I think text plans could potentially be a good way to teach that. When I first got my cell phone I, like any 17 year old, texted like crazy and ran up 2 triple-digit phone bills. Mom made me pay out of my babysitting money and I learned my lesson (this was before unlimited plans).

I also want to point out how incredibly glad I am that those obnoxious, poorly animated tv commercials for joke-of-the-day and secret crush texts are no longer the only commercials on TV. I can finally watch my Spongebob in peace.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Radi0logy
June 3, 2009 6:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I know how this goes... my fiancee signed up for a \"free trial\" at forclosure.com last night... I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to cancel the credit card :P

Reply
3 replies
\"user-pic\"
edwardso
June 3, 2009 6:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Radi0logy:Can I turn off 411? My husband keeps calling it even though I have showed him 1-800-goog411.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
blueneon
June 3, 2009 7:43 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@edwardso:

I'm an AT&T wireless employee, and NO, you cannot block 411. It is up to the account holder to be aware that it is $1.79 plus tax per directory assistance call that users of the mobile phones on their account make.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
June 3, 2009 7:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@blueneon: Yeah, but you can block text messaging, and that's also something the account holder should be aware costs money...

Reply
\"user-pic\"
blueneon
June 3, 2009 8:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pecan 3.14159265:

yep absolutely correct, you can block text messaging .. I was just answering the question by edwardso in regards to if 411 can be turned off : )

Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
June 3, 2009 8:45 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@blueneon: Yes, but you were saying that you can't block 411 because it's up to the contract holder to know it costs money. Text costs money too, and it's up to the contract holder to know the rates. Why can you block text but not 411?

Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
June 3, 2009 7:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@edwardso: I'm not sure that you can. At least whenever you do call, it says Verizon directory assistance..which leads me to think that Verizon, particularly, would not want to disable this because they know there are free alternatives.

Why does your husband need to call 411 so much? I find myself using Goog-411 more often because it's free, but he must enjoy getting charged $1.45 every time he dials 411.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
edwardso
June 3, 2009 7:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pecan 3.14159265: it's either out of habit or some sort of passive-agressive manuver towards me :)

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Anonymous
June 3, 2009 6:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Verizon Wireless offers a \"Premium SMS\" block, which will keep people from subscribing to third party content providers via their mobile. Just so you know, though, it also blocks free short code services such as Twitter.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Ein2015
June 3, 2009 6:26 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Hmmm I didn't know this! Thanks Chris! :D

Also, good information on Sprint. There needs to be more legislation about correcting billing mistakes.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
jayphat
June 3, 2009 7:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Ein2015: I dropped Sprint after a $375 charge for \"data\" showed up on my bill and my data applications on my phone were disabled. When I questioned the charge through multiple reps, the same response came up \"sir, we can't tell you what/when/where the data was\" My response was \"well, then I can't pay my bill, nor continue to be your customer\"

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
calchip
June 3, 2009 6:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I've always wondered why Myspace and Facebook accept all of those scam ads (like the IQ test), knowing full well they are generally clicked on by kids. I guess money is more important than any sort of integrity with your customer.

btw, Chris, I had the exact same issue with Sprint and even at the so-called executive level, they flatly refused to refund the money, even when I pointed out it was no different than going in my wallet and stealing it. Magically, the problem finally got resolved when I got the REAL assistant to the chairman on the phone and said I was about to file a small claims action and serve the chairman personally at his home.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
razremytuxbuddy
June 3, 2009 6:47 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I've tried to get an assurance from Alltel that they would not allow any third party to place an unauthorized fee or charge on my cell phone bill, but Alltel flatly refused, saying they have no control over who adds charges to a cell phone bill.

It's nice that AT&T is going to offer this option, but it's really a no-brainer. All wireless companies should close this loophole that leaves their customers' accounts vulnerable to scam charges.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
watersketch
June 3, 2009 6:47 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Re: Sprint


I signed my 70 yr old dad up for Sprint's \"Parental Controls\" and it works well.


I have been with Sprint for about 10 years and can honestly say that they are providing better customer service now than they ever have.


While I agree with every bad thing folks have said about Sprint in the past, right now they are actually pretty darn good.

Reply
1 replies
","
\"user-pic\"
Nic Deese
June 3, 2009 7:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I know about all the Sprint horror stories, but I've had nothing but good luck with them (and I'm on old-school SERO).

My wife did the whole FB quiz thing, and cancelled it immediately after doing it once she came to her senses. She contacted PlayPhone, and they said they would have to look into it, and mail her a check to refund the charge if they found it was warranted.

So we waited for the Sprint bill, and sure enough, $14.99 from PlayPhone. I got onto Sprint Chat, and the rep had no problem refunding me the $14.99 from Sprint's end.

To top it off: a few weeks later, I opened the mailbox. Lo and behold, a check from PlayPhone for $14.99.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
SacraBos
June 3, 2009 7:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Nic Deese: Hey, a free lunch! You know, I've been wondering what my IQ is... Hmm....

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
albear
June 3, 2009 7:13 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

We have ATT and cancelled all the crap ATT has, mobile web, purchasing games, even text messaging. I hate that. We have nice phones to just talk on them. That's all.

Reply
4 replies
\"user-pic\"
nakedscience
June 3, 2009 7:47 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@albear: ...what? You have a super, duper nice phone just to talk on them? Why?

Reply
\"user-pic\"
XTC46
June 3, 2009 8:11 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@nakedscience: Im guessing their defenition of nice is much different then mine. Becasue to me, no cell phone is nice unless I can:


- Browse all websites with a non-sucky browser
- Send SMS/MMS message
- Use Exchange Email
- Take decent pictures
- Record Video
- Play MP3s
- Use an SD (regular, mini, or micro) to expand memory
- Use a QWERTY keyboard
- Use GPS
- RDP to a server


Basically, I want to be able to do the vast majority of my job from my phone if I want to, and if needed, I want to be able to leave all other handhelds behind without missing anything.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
June 3, 2009 7:31 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@albear: How is text messaging crap? They offer a service. You're free to use it ...or not. But just because you don't use it, doesn't mean AT&T sucks for offering it. When you signed up, no one forced you at gunpoint to sign up for text messaging.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
sjg1402
June 4, 2009 4:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pecan 3.14159265:
Text messaging is crap because it came installed and ready to go when I got my phone. Before I even got out of the store, AT&T had sent me a text message (which was free, but still!).
If someone sends me a text message, I get charged for it whether I read it or not. Since they're charging me, it should be an opt-in situation, not a opt-out. Heaven forbid I should hit the wrong button and connect to the internet. I get charged for KB transfered - even if I immediately disconnect. Another thing that came installed on the phone that I had to have turned off.
I would LOVE an AT&T cell phone that doesn't do anything except allow me to talk on it.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
r4__
June 6, 2009 9:31 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@sjg1402: Then buy something like an unlocked Motorola F3 on ebay, and use it instead of a phone that's designed with things called \"features\".

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
MyTQuinn
June 3, 2009 7:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Just like banks should disallow overdrafts (and the fees that go with them) unless specifically requested by the customer, wireless carriers should disallow third party billing unless specifically requested by the customer.

Re: Verizon - I don't have a Verizon account now, but I recall being able to disable \"Premium SMS\", which I believe is their name for this sort of thing.

Re: Sprint - the only problem I've ever had with Sprint is their actual coverage. Customer service has never been an issue for me. That said, I believe that many of the complaints against them are valid, and I count myself among the lucky minority when it comes to customer satisfaction with Sprint.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
hewhoroams
June 3, 2009 7:35 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

these charges from playphone and other scam like providers is usually reversed with little question asked.

I used to work for an SMS aggregator and we received these calls all the time. We eventually got access to ATT billing to resolve this ourselves. Special hint: don't be a jerk on the phone and you'll get it reversed that much quicker.
Also, going to the company's website and finding a number or email works just as well.
Replying STOP ALL or UNSUBSCRIBE is required to make all services stop replying to your phone from that provider. If they don't they get fined.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
blueb
June 3, 2009 7:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

verizon does allow you to disable premium messaging... however, when you do this, it also blocks free messaging services that use the 6 digit codes from sending you anything either.
we had issues with a band fan club hosted by moses.com, a site that posts pics, and a site that posts short updates to your blog.. all free, but none of which worked with verizon's block designed for stopping charges.

Reply
","","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
ajlei
June 3, 2009 8:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

My stepdad has a family plan through AT&T for four of us (him, my mom, my sister and I). But he's gone ahead and allowed me purchasing power on the account, which I rarely use. However, I always make a point to scan the bill every month, especially since my younger sister sometimes makes a habit of buying tons of games/ringtones/features and then not paying for them.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
XTC46
June 3, 2009 8:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Verizon allows this as well. At my previous job, I had to manage about 100-150 verizon cell phones as well as 12-20 att cell phones, both of which gave me no trouble when I asked to remove this functionality.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Nytmare
June 3, 2009 8:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@blueneon: Doesn't it show the charge on the cell phone's computerized high-res screen as you are making the call? You know, to keep the user informed?

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
y2julio
June 3, 2009 8:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

If you had my SERO account, you wouldn't be hating on Sprint.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
HogwartsAlum
June 3, 2009 9:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

My mom tried to put me on her AT&T account and I said no. I didn't want to get messed up if she had a problem with it and I didn't want to inadvertently mess her up if I pressed the wrong button or accidentally went way over minutes. Too much Judge Judy, I guess.

I'm looking at a pre-paid right now. I just haven't decided whose to get. With the research I've been doing, it's easier to have a phone people can call me on which doesn't tie up my work phone. Plus, no contract or ETF.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Zanorfes
June 3, 2009 9:17 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

It's no surprise that AT&T didn't volunteer this information when I asked how to prevent charges. They told me that the only way to do this was paying extra for \"parental controls\". I guess they'll say anything to make a buck. Good stuff Consumerist! Thanks.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Anonymous
June 4, 2009 5:20 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Zanorfes: Actually, that means you got someone who wasn't doing their job right. AT&T actually requires reps to offer this service if a customer complains about a charge such as this. Parental controls are also free, but will only limit content accessed through AT&T's Media Mall and other portals. Sounds like they were trying to get you set up on SmartLimits... which wouldn't even have covered this. Yeah, definitely not doing their job right

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
AMetamorphosis
June 5, 2009 7:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Thank you for this tip!


I just called and asked them to block any charges to our cell #'s.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
LeonardM
December 11, 2009 1:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Chris wrote:

\"We couldn't locate similar free options from Verizon, but if you're a customer and know of a free way to do the same thing, please let us know in the comments.\"

Verizon has the same purchase block available as part of its Verizon Safeguards, where customers can safeguard their family and their budget. Please visit http://www.vzw.com/usagecontrols and after logging in please select \"Service Blocks\" to choose which Purchase Blocks to put in place.

Chris I feel you also co-mingle distinct Parental Contol Tools:

- Usage Controls (available from ATT, TMOBILE AND VERISON) permit you to control usage from blocking all use of products and services to permitting a certain amount of use by volume or time of day

- Age-Appropriate, Content-Generic Content Filters (available from VERIZON), provide age-appropriate content filters like what consumers are familiar with in Movies or TV choices, instead of an overly-simplistic binary over 18 / under 18 option and also provide content-generic content filters, which apply content filter to videos, games, wallpapers, music, short code, instead of an overly-simplistic filter which only applies to web filtering.

- Behavioral Family Locating Services (available from VERIZON), provide arrival and departure information whenever family members enter or leave locations of interest. Following such a notification, a customer could then launch an integrated navigation system to provide turn by turn directions to that individual's current location. Other standard Family Locating services available on all carriers include scheduled notifications at certain times of day and days of the week as well as on-demand locates. However, in terms of habitual use, arrival and departure notifications prove to be the most useful to the consumer.

Thank you for accepting this correction to the purchase block limitation to include Verizon.

Leonard M

Reply
");