![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
Whenever I try to hit the OK button and miss, I just hear the message, \"The fingers you are using to dial are too fat. If you'd like to order a special dialing wand, please mash the keypad with your palm.\"
5 replies
Whenever I try to hit the OK button and miss, I just hear the message, \"The fingers you are using to dial are too fat. If you'd like to order a special dialing wand, please mash the keypad with your palm.\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-55601-100x100.png\")
AT&T has the same situation with their GoPhones. It doesn't take anything to 'ass-dial' the center button into browsing the data-sucking graphics and ringtone store.
Verizon has obviously designed it that way as well, incorporating user error via a poor UI into a ripe profit center.
Can't you designate the up arrow as a shortcut for another function?
@TCama: Not on my Razr V3. I can change only one of the 4 buttons, the down-arrow. The other 3 are permanent.
@TCama: Not with T-Mobile. The last phone I got from them disabled changing the short cut to their lame T-Zones thing. My thought was \"you're going to SELL me a phone and then not like me use all the features?\", but then I realized that crap happens all the time. This is just the latest in the line of obnoxious things phone companies put on their phones.
Then I got the generic firmware and erased all the T-Mobile garbage off the phone, and didn't look back.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1509-100x100.png\")
@TCama: Yeah you can. Plus, before I had a data plan, my old motorola e815 (bought circa 2006) would prompt me that if I continued to the web browser or used the app store I could be charged for data usage and I never had any $1.99 fees show up on my bills.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-537475-100x100.png\")
@TCama: Most phones allow you to do that. The Samsung ACH phones had icon buttons, IIRC, so changing what they did wasn't an option. And none of mine ever gave me a prompt about the data.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-542811-100x100.png\")
@TCama: Yes but most users do not know this and most phones have a special button to connect right smack in the middle of the other buttons.
@TCama: I was going to say something along these lines. Most phones allow you to re-assign these keys to different functions. My phone is kind enough to remind me that accessing the mobile browser may incur charges and makes me say it's okay before it loads it. I wonder if others do the same, or if I'm being charged even though it asks me that.
@dp05: Our LG phones have some unknown hot key that tries to connect to the web. We don't have a data plan. If that hot key gets bumped you will notice a screen that says player error and when you kill it the screen claims it is disconnecting. Any time this happens Verizon tries to ding us for the $1.99 charge.
The one I got last month really made me mad. I got the $1.99 data fee and a ringtone download. There is no way to accidentally select and download a ringtone. I have not downloaded a ring tone for over a year (the month I got this phone). I emailed Verizon. They took it off my bill but claimed I really did download it so they basically called me a liar and said they would only reverse the charge that one time.
This $1.99 hot key scam need some FCC or FTC review.
Seems that Verizon should institute a very small (10KB perhaps) grace allowance on the data before you get billed. Nobody actually USING data will get in under that limit.
@AustinTXProgrammer: OK, so they've got an easy revenue stream going but you want to thwart that. Yeah, they'll take that under advisement....
@AustinTXProgrammer: Actually it sounds like phone companies should not be charging you to navigate their own store or menus that show you what content is available. You are basically be charged for their advertisements.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-457717-100x100.png\")
@AustinTXProgrammer: While they might consider it, they'd just arrange for the first page you load to have an 11kB image on it.
This happened to me when I purchased the new enV phone. First, the store representative added MobileIM to my phone, which ran up a data charge. Once I got the phone home, I was trying to figure out the various keyboard functions and wound up running up a few addition data charges. I called Verizon to see if I could reassign the keys to avoid future charges and was told that it could not be done. Luckily, my old roommate also works for Verizon, so I sent him an email and he told me exactly how to resassign the data charges. Next up, I wrote an email to Verizon telling them I was not happy and would gladly let my contract expire and go to AT&T. A few days later, I received a phone call and they were more than willing to refund the charges.
Now if Verizon could tell me why my phone started downloading songs on its own and charging me $1.99 for the priviledge, while at the same time saying sorry, we can't reverse the charges because you had to agree twice to the download.
Another conspiracy? You tell me anonymous Verizon employee consumerist reader.
@Blueskylaw: Could this be done with a phone app? \"When you have this app on your phone, it secretly goes to 'such and such' website and downloads ring tones for you, whether you want them or not; don't worry, just pay the freakin' bill\".
@Blueskylaw: I had a similar thing happen this month only it was ring tones. I didn't do it. I think this is a new money making scam. How many people don't notice and pay it. That is free money. I was able to get it reversed but was emailed a nasty lecture calling me a liar and claiming they will only reverse it this one time.
Verizon needs a federal investigation.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-171897-100x100.png\")
I've had this very same problem with AT&T. There is no way to make that internet option disappear. When I told them I would be filing a complaint to the FTC because the phones are designed according to the carriers' instructions, they promised to have a supervisor call me back. Never got a call back. The only way these companies will ever change is by making fines more expensive than the amount of money they make on these unethical charges.
@Zanorfes: There's definitely a way to block it. My mom has Verizon and when my brother racked up some random data charges she had them disable data on the phone and hasn't had any problems since.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1151569-100x100.png\")
@lmarconi: The only problem with AT&T data block is if you happen to have more than one phone and one of the users sends SMS or picture/video messages. My mother has absolutely no use for the internet but does send picture messages to me and her grandkids. If I have the data feature blocked on her line, it blocks the ability to send pictures and/or video messages (or receiving them). I was told that it's a flaw in the way the software is designed that the CS reps deal with that it doesn't have a separate option for just internet data - it's all data. So I used a suggestion from an earlier post and disabled the internet button on my mom's phone.
@Zanorfes: I came across this trick here on the internets to prevent accidental data usage on AT&T without permanently disabling data transfers. Find your Network Profiles (on my phone it's in the Connections setting). Make a new profile with no username or password. Now go to MEdia Net's account settings (my phone: MEdia Net -> Browser Settings -> Accounts) and select that new junk profile as the one MEdia Net uses. Now it can't connect of course, it'll just time out. I haven't had any erroneus data charges since I've done this and I could always switch back to the working profile if I absolutely needed to.
AT&T sends me messages titled \"free tips\". They look like normal text messages, but when I open them, it tried to connect me to the web and I get charged a data fee. *hatred*
@searonson: I've been an AT&T customer with multiple lines and contracts at one time for over 7 yearas and I've never gotten anything like that from AT&T. I'm with MikeGrenade on this one; sounds like spam that's using a known entity to get you to open the message.
This happened with all of my Verizon phones. Even if you call and ask for them to block internet, it's a risk for you to try it out because it probably won't work and then you're saddled with that $1.99 charge. I called to get my money back and ask them to block internet on my phone, and they said that they would do that - but I doubt it ever got fixed. I was just much more careful about that up button.
@pecan 3.14159265: I had them block the internet to avoid this problem, and then I couldn't send or receive picture messages anymore, even though picture messages would normally be covered under my text plan.
Apparently they couldn't allow picture messages but block the internet, so I had them re-enable the internet. They flat out told me to just be careful and not hit the mobile web button. Gee, thanks.
@thehouserules: As per my post a bit further up, this is also a problem with AT&T's data block feature. It can't distinguish from data that is being used for internet use vs. data being used for SMS, photo, or video messages that are covered under the messaging/texting plan.
@thehouserules: They do have a way to do that (the rest of my family is on Verizon). But apparently it's different from the standard way of blocking data and only some reps know about it
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1161247-100x100.png\")
@thehouserules: Bullshit on their part. I've had two separate data charges waived because of accidentally connecting to the web. I called the first time and the rep would block the internet connection.
It happened again in the next month so I called back. I got a different rep of course, but this one told me that the internet was never block. This CSR did it.
Above all, I can still text pictures, videos without any issue.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-4147-100x100.png\")
2 words: Class Action.
Take em down, and take em down hard.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-24730-100x100.png\")
@Scuba Steve: Better yet, everyone sue in small claims court.
All the class would get is a couple of bucks and the right not to sue.
@Scuba Steve: There is no class action and it's not fraud. Verizon did not deceive you into purchasing a product it did give you as represented. It's knowledge of the problem is not deceptive. Its decision not to cure the problem is not deceptive. The buttons are no easier to push than any other button on the phone, it is not mis-labeled, and you can usually change the way the buttons are mapped if you're worried about it. You will probably lose this suit, hence why they said in the article, it's not illegal, just unethical.
@soundreasoning: ...except when you can't. Every single phone I've had from America to Japan and China you can't change the farkin' shortcut buttons. It's almost always an internet-related service. In America it was MEdia Net (and m-mode before that), on my Japanese phones it was either Yahoo! Mobile or i-mode (though those two don't work with a non-Japanese SIM so no data usage incurred) and uniNET on my Chinese phone. The only plus side is that in China I get charged US$.02/MB so it's nothing big for me to sweat (really, it's criminal the charges that internet users get charged in America- heck, my per-MB rate is cheaper roaming into the US with my Chinese service provider).
@jamar0303: The last phone I had before my iPhone allowed you to change the shortcuts of every key except the one that connected to the internet store.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-350350-100x100.png\")
If I am not mistaken most cell phone contracts specifically prohibit users from launching any kind of class action against the company. Has this changed?
@soundreasoning: A lot of phones you can not change the mapping/function of the buttons (I had one that had a camera button on the side that I constantly was hitting and you could not change that button's function). My mom's current cell from LG has a center \"internet browser\" button surrounded by directional buttons and it's function can not be changed either. This design is on purpose to get people to use the internet features on the phone, pure and simple.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1034061-100x100.png\")
@soundreasoning: If in Verizon's knowledge the average user racks up $x from mistaken presses per month, any contract not stipulating these charges is fraudulent.
@morlo: Stipulating what charges? What data are you using to indicate an avg. user does a particular thing? Does this mean that if you fall outside the avg. you still pay the same amount, what if you make the mistake less than avg? or more?
I'm not sure what you mean at all. I haven't looked but I'm sure the data charges are stipulated in the contract, and I'm also sure that Verizon stipulates that the \"Get it now\" counts as data.
What I think you might be trying to say is that Verizon should somehow be compelled to disclaim that the avg. user makes a particular mistaken button press and particular number of times during the course of a contract period of some sort. Why?
I'm sorry but you're just not right from a legal standpoint.
Now the people who have standing are people who block data. Unless Verizon describes its data plan as mitigating the possible charges instead of erasing them, or if it markets it has an effective way to incur zero charges on data, then they are liable to those people. but if they market it as a way to \"control\" charges they're probably okay.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-81690-100x100.png\")
@Scuba Steve: You know, I absolutely despise most class action lawsuits, but in this case, I'd have to agree. This is outright fraud, plain and simple.
@IndyJaws: yeah, problem is with class action, your settlement will be a $1.99 credit on your phone bill...good for 1 mistake usage =P
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-108252-100x100.png\")
Yet another reason why buying your own unlocked phone and being not on contract is a win.
Verizon is a giant corporation. Giant corporations are sleazy. I think its time we learn this and just start warning people rather than tautological name calling.
@soundreasoning: \"Verizon is a giant corporation. Giant corporations are sleazy.\" The next sentence should be \"Ergo, Verizon is sleazy.\" Now isn't that better than tautological name calling.
@soundreasoning: Verizon has a huge monopoly in many parts of the country. They are literally your only option in many areas. I could use competitors phones but only in the middle of town. Outside of that there is no coverage.
The feds need to look at the monopoly Verizon has set up in less populated areas combined with the insane fees they charge compared to all of the competition.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-929652-100x100.png\")
Blackberries FTW!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-443428-100x100.png\")
@katstermonster: Yep, seconded. I've never used my 2-year old $49 refurbed Curve for anything but a phone & never gotten a charge or accidentally went to the web. I don't even know how I would use it to get TO the web.
I would love to be able to pickpocket every stranger I meet for $2, and then say, \"Hey, it's only two freaking dollars!\"
Of course, I would go to jail. But Verizon just sails merrily along.
@JollyJumjuck: You were not paying attention so I deserve your $2 I just stole from you. That is Verizon's logic.
I have verizon phones and have for years (Verizon is hands down the best when it comes to business phones so I have kept them with all businesses who I have any say in cell phone choice)
They have always allowed us to block this feature and once blocked we incur no charges. At my last job, I managed 150+ cell phones under verizon. About 15 of those were smartphones and had unlimited data, the rest were regular phones, we similay called, and said \"block data and all extra services on all accounts except\" and it was done. No data, no text, no music downloads, no games, no 3rd party billings. No problem. We then added text to a handful of them, still no problem.
I think this guy is full of crap.
@xtc46 - thinksmarter on twitter: All the big carriers do treat business accounts differently. Probably to try and squeeze more units out of them.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-543146-100x100.png\")
@xtc46 - thinksmarter on twitter: It's also possible they handle this feature differently for business accounts, especially large ones.
@RecordStoreToughGuy_IsBeing(pur)SuedByAMonster: They very definitely do. When I worked for Sprint, they had an entire separate department for accounts that large - we were barely allowed to look at them. They got ridiculous white-glove treatment. It just showed me that Sprint knows how to be consumer-friendly, it just doesn't want to unless your monthly bill is at least six figures.
And no, I'm not talking about the insane discounts and lack of contracts - I understand that. I'm talking about the \"Call a single time to get what you need done, no questions or hassle\" stuff that we were actively discouraged from doing.
Things like, say, removing a phone's IP address.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-60345-100x100.png\")
This is why the FCC should mandate that the phones are made by a neutral 3rd party. Most phones are CRIPPLED in their feature sets by the phone companies.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-121828-100x100.png\")
Verizon makes Fry's look like a model of customer service excellence.
i have a verizon phone, if i try to go to mobile web, it says i have a choice of using the mobile web for 24 hours for $1.99 or going to \"my verizon\" for free. what is described above must be an old way of doing things.
@mavkato: No, your phone is mistaken (probably old). EVERY BYTE of data now must be paid for (either 1.99/MB or a data plan). The old way (I had a verizon phone when they changed over from that) was this:
When you opened the browser you could use My Verizon--check your bill etc. This was free to everyone, as was data usage you incurred while browsing the Get It Now store. If you explicitly asked for Mobile Web this would unlock Mobile Web and having that service cost you around $7 a month. They didn't really meter bandwidth either.
Then they realized that locking out the feature for people who had no interest in it was FAR less profitable than throwing the gates open and shooting you with a $1.99 penalty dart whenever you poked your head in.
Imagine if just surfing past a pay-per-view movie channel for a second charged you a minimum of $1.99. This is what those bastards are doing. One more reason I'm glad I dumped them.
@West Coast Secessionist: my old phone (VX8300) worked as you describe, going straight to mobile web. my current phone (Moto Adventure) gives me the option. fortunately, my next phone won't matter, since i am planning on getting the data plan anyways :D
@mavkato: Ditto ditto. On my current and past Verizon phones (both Samsungs), I did don't include data in my plan, and if I do try to access the monthly web (which really isn't that easy to do by accident), a very clear message pops up telling me that I have to agree to pay $1.99 to get it for 24 hours. So the only way I get charged $199 is if I access the mobile web (which takes several button presses, not just one), AND then agree to the charge.
@mavkato: Ditto here. I have a Samsung Gleam. It always shows me the price and an option that has to be clicked to incur the charge.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-529488-100x100.png\")
AT&T recently just \"lowered\" the price of its alacarte data services. Quite considerably, but its a misleading lowering of the price because you'll get charged more off the bat than before.
Before, it was 1c per kilobyte.
Now, its $2 per megabyte.
So instead of getting a 3c charge for accidentally hitting the internet button you're now getting a $2 charge.
@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: these phone companies should be required to round down to the lowest unit of their measure, so unless you use a full megabyte you don't get charged
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-767887-100x100.png\")
It is not right. HOWEVER, the couple of times I have seen a $1.99 data charge on my Verizon bill, I have e-mailed and gotten immediate credit.
Are we saying millions of customers just pay the $1.99? Now, that is plain stupid.
When I signed up with Verizon, I told them to turn off the internet features of our phones because we were not getting the unlimited data plan, and $2 per megabyte is rape. They never did it.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-269097-100x100.png\")
I remember my old Cingular flip phone did that to, BUT there was no charge for browsing the Media Net store even without a data plan.
This math just doesn't make sense. Verizon Wireless did $4.1BN in data revenue (most of which is texting revenue) last quarter. If this is right ($300MM/month), then nearly 1/4 of total data revenue, and 1/2 of non-texting data revenue, was driven by accidental button presses. That seems amazingly high.
Looking at it another way, if we assume about 30% of Verizon customers have some sort of data plan (mobile web, blackberry, etc etc), then that means that there were about 60 million Verizon customers who could in theory be hit by this fee. That's $5/month for each of them, or 2.5 incidents per month per person. That also seems amazingly high.
While I don't doubt this problem exists, it seems like the actual # of incidents (and hence the $ generated for Verizon) is way inflated.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1212471-100x100.png\")
CHALLENGE.
I notice that a button gets inadvertantly pressed on my Verizon phone every once in a while, but I've never been charged a $1.99 data usage fee for a 1/2 second connection.
Maybe I'm just lucky.
@gtsports:
I came in here to say the same thing. I've been on verizon for about 6 years now and have never had a data charge on my account that I didn't explicitly agree to (by knowingly using a service that incurred data charges).
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-322403-100x100.png\")
@igoooorrrr: Ditto. Six years, never been charged for my fumbling fingers. I wonder what the difference is? More detailed reporting would be good.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-350835-100x100.png\")
Question for you cell phone users... me not being one of you... is this a physical button or a touch screen button?
If it is physical a little epoxy glue carefully applied could prevent if from ever being depressed again.
If it is a touch screen button then my condolences. Consider looking for a phone that gives you the ability to mitigate this problem... one that is easily hacked / jail breaked...
@GreatWhiteNorth: \\
You can easily change the function of this button through the options on pretty much every phone.
@igoooorrrr: As stated before by other commenters, many phones (many on AT&T and made by LG) have a center button that is designated for the browser and it's function can not be re-programmed. On my old Motorola there was a camera button on the side and it was the same thing; couldn't be re-programmed to activate anything else.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-444699-100x100.png\")
Tmobile will simply not allow you to browse the web without a data plan. You can get as far as their mobile store/account management portal for free, but past that if you want to use the mobile web you have to agree to a plan.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-74489-100x100.png\")
I pay close attention to my bill, and I have never been charged a 1.99 data charge for accidently hitting the get it now button or any of the other buttons for that matter.
The keys around the OK button are directional and shortcut keys. Every phone has the ability to change the shortcuts so that you can open a preferred application instead of the internet or VZ Navigator. It sounds to me that large amounts of data blocks are more of an issue than having the reps learn how to walk a customer through the process of changing the shortcuts on their phone.
I'll admit, that sounds half as sinister as the tipster made \"Alternatives to Data Blocks\" sound.
I guess I feel it's fair to disclose the fact that my boyfriend is an engineer for VZW - but I was a Virgin Mobile customer during the first two years of the relationship and my phones with that carrier had the same shortcuts (minus VZ Navigator, of course). Based on comments, it seems VZW and Virgin aren't alone in this shortcut practice. Perhaps enough people wish to connect to the interwebs for the button to be warranted.
If data blocks aren't fully solving the problem because customers might still get charged on accident and it's eating up precious customer service hours and causing all sorts of fuss - I commend VZW for finding a more reliable way to help their customers solve the issue permanently.
Now, this is just me, but I can see this problem costing VZW more than it earns them revenue. If people are reporting the incidents, and the money is being returned, you're not just giving $2 back to a customer. You're paying a CSR to handle the claim, an accountant to keep the books up to date, auditors to keep an eye on the situation, and a team to research and evaluate the ongoing issue. Millions of incidents probably equals millions of dollars lost from refunds.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-505944-100x100.png\")
I'm so glad I still have my 'ancient' Nokia that does nothing but make and receive calls! Too many buttons, too many features I'll never use on those new phones.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1342997-100x100.png\")
@JulesNoctambule: Hear, hear.
I have a five year-old Samsung flip-phone with real, actual buttons (not touch-screen buttons), and you have to flip it open to get at the buttons. Also, the thickness of it means that it rides clipped to my hip, not in my pocket, so the chances of accidental dialing are pretty much zero.
Of course, I don't have a data plan, anyway, because of the price -- and the fact that I'd go blind trying to read Web pages on its teeny-assed screen.
@flugennock: The tiny! That's another reason my nearsighted self avoids getting a new phone. My niece tried to show me something text-based on her iWhatever the other day, and I had to explain that while she is nine I am thirty-two and I can't read words on something smaller than the palm of my hand and please bring it up on the computer pretty please? because I am old and I can't see! She did it, reluctantly, but I heard her mom call out 'I told you it wasn't just me!'
Over a year ago I got new Verizon Wireless phones for both my wife and my son - a Motorola W755 and a Smasung Alias. On both phones these shortcut keys are user-programmable. In fact, changing them to something wouldn't generate any additional charges was one of the first things I did on both phones.
Did I just get lucky getting the only two phone models that can be reprogrammed?
Not that I do not think that Verizon has on a halo, but to be fair, I have had Verizon for my carrier over four years and they have been great in crediting those sneaky fees that have appeared on my bill. I did immediately have the mobile web blocked and I read my manual to my phone and changed the shortcut key to a useful feature for myself. I do believe that it would be fair if the mobile web was accessible only if the consumer requested the feature, but its Corporate America and they will find anyway they can to make the almighty dollar. So be pro-active, go over your bill before you pay it, take accountability for your actions and if it's the carrier's actions that needs to be addressed then do so.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-491106-100x100.png\")
I use Verizon and I do not get charged each time I hit the up arrow button. I'm on Mobile Web right now. I have two options. My Verizon which is FREE and I can use it to check my balance, usage, etc. but I have never been charged for using it. Now if I go down to Mobile Web I know I will get charged but I've never been charged once for accessing the free service.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-131723-100x100.png\")
I know on the Motorola Adventure V750 you can configure all of the buttons around the OK button to different functions. Mine won't connect to mobile web now, going to VZ Navigator instead.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-483337-100x100.png\")
verizon has always been scumbags.. A few years ago I called to order dsl, and we were setting the whole thing up over the phone, and then at the very end he told me it would take 3 and a half weeks to get someone out there to install it. I said cancel the order immediately, I'll go with someone else.
he never cancelled the order, I had to fight for months to get all of the charges reversed.
SCUMBAGS.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-934368-100x100.png\")
Yep, I had a phone, can't recall which model, its discontinued anyway, but there was a button I'd hit just like described and get that lame Get it Now service.
Now I'm lucky enough to be using one of the rare smart phones that doesn't require a data plan, the old Moto Q, and if I wanted to use the web, I'd have to open a menu and scroll to it. I guess, take that, Verizon...
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-422876-100x100.png\")
I've had a Palm Treo with Verizon for several years. In the beginning, I asked to them to block data usage and they agreed. However, it's my understanding that all of the major cell phone companies now require customers with smart phones to pay the monthly data fee -- no exceptions. Verizon is bugging me to get a new phone (and thus, a new contract), but I'm resisting. When the Treo dies, I will have to look for a no-frills phone because I have no desire to go online using such a tiny screen. That's why I have a laptop.
Meant to say that's why I have a broadband card for my laptop.
I am old. I have a Verizon Voyager. I NEVER have problems pushing the correct buttons or screen icons. I NEVER use my phone while driving the car; I pull off the road instead. Yes, I got a couple of data charges when I was first learning how to use the phone. I went to the Verizon store and politely worked with the rep to have all of the charges removed. I pay attention to what I am doing to prevent user errors. I even read the manual. And, I RARELY believe conspiracy stories like this one.
I don't know that I agree that a class action wouldn't be feasible. At the very least, since the connections are made by user error (which is not a grounds for a class action), users ought to be able to opt out of the data costs related to those errors either by disabling those features on the phone or disabling those features at the network. If Verizon's system is capable of telling me that I can or can't dial a particular international number, the system ought to be at least sophisticated enough to prevent me from going on their music service or ring tone service or whatever else they bundle into those data charges. The fact that they're charging $X in erroneous charges every month, know those charges are erroneous and won't do anything about it is probably more than enough to get by a 12b motion.
Personally I haven't had the problem. Data is disabled on my phone and you have to go through multiple steps to get to the stuff that costs extra.
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This happened with all 3 of my Verizon phones too. I had to \"hack\" them so they couldn't to connect to dialup.
The more I hear about this and other crap happening with smartphones, the gladder I am to have a dumb phone. It makes and receives phone calls, and the occasional text message if absolutely necessary. That's it. I love it.
I've accidentally hit that button plenty of times. I've also logged in to look for games but not bought any. I've NEVER been hit with a fee for accidentally hitting then canceling the button. Also, there is no $1.99 minimum. As I said, I've logged on before for 30 seconds or so and decided I didn't want a game and logged off. I was charged a few cents.
I'm not saying this didn't happen to the OP, I'm just saying I don't think it's standard practice across the board.
I've hit up on my phone a billion times and never got charged for it. I don't know how anyone's else's phones are setup, but if I hit up, it does the whole sending/receiving data deal and then gives me the choice of \"My Account\", which is free, or \"Mobile Web\" for $1.99 for 24 hours. Makes it a lot harder to accidentally get charged for something.
I was thinking of switching to Verizon for the Droid... guess I won't be anymore...
There is a disable mobile web option on the VZW account management site. I have issues with VZW, alot of them, but this is unfair, because there is a very simple way to prevent this. They should refund it the first time and tell the customer where to go to disable it. After that... ignorance of the available tools is no excuse.
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Crazy really, how they can justify $1.99 per MB is beyond me. It's not even good, loading a website over their network is ridiculously slow! When I first discovered that I even have to pay to simply browse the Verizon app/game catalog I was really disgusted.
There is also irony in paying $1.99 or more to download a 'demo' of an app or game that you are considering purchasing. I was shocked when I got a bill for $20 after looking through the games and downloading a 2 demos.
While I'm on the subject, it also makes me angry that nearly every game available through Verizon has no demo or even a screen shot. Instead you get a 1 sentence description to make your decision on (granted you don't have internet access.)
In the end I only use my phone for phone calls, calender, camera, and the handful of app's that come stock with the phone.
Really, the pricing is set up such that a la carte data doesn't make much sense. For $5, you can get unlimited.
A quick fix I have found that usually works, is in the cell phone settings you can add another internet connection. Just make a new one, leave all the details blank, no server to connect to, no login etc, then set it as default. It'll just error out because it has nowhere to connect. I've done this to my mother's phone and my sister's phone, keeps them from getting those charges.
Verizon also has this crappy 'visual voice mail' feature. I absolutely did not sign up for that, but every time I get a vm, I also get a 'visual voice mail' notification. If you click on it, you incur extra charges. I've asked Verizon to remove it from my phone, and they haven't done it. These guys are assholes, and they always will be.
There was a comment in that NYT post about a man who was starting a class-action for Verizon billing you through your billing cycle when you switch carriers OUT OF CONTRACT. The same thing happened to me! I switched to AT&T, and Verizon SAT ON the number port request until the second day of my new billing cycle.
No big deal, I thought, until I was charged a FULL month (~$60.00) even though I only used two days of service. I called, and complained, and easily ate up $60 worth of their time bitching and complaining. In threatened to just pay with AMEX and dispute the charge, to which the CSR replied, \"please don't ruin your credit for this $60.\" WHAT. THE. F.
If that class-action is started, I can't wait to waive my rights, take myself out of the class, and sue on my own. Those people are scumbags.
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My father's phone does this also. Center button goes straight to the web which he never uses. It's not faulty design, its purposely designed like that. Why else is the center button internet? Thatd be like making my web browser open up on every left click.
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Not just Verizon - I've had this issue with AT&T as well. I will often pick my phone up, after supposedly having key lock on, to see that the browser (which I never purposefully use) is open, and upon exiting, it tells me the amount of kilobytes that I have just \"used\". I've sent a brief complaint to them regarding this, but now think that I have more incentive to do more to combat it.
I love my Samsung SGH-A717. If I accidentally click on the MEDIANet button, it displays the AT&T logo for a few seconds before initiating communications.
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I have to say... I've rubbed up against that Mobile Web button a million times on my shitty slider phone, but I always manage to cancel it right away and I've never been charged for it. Hmm.
I have been a VZW Family Plan customer for many years. Good coverage, good customer service.
www.consumercellular.com in my future.
Sprint charges $0.03 per kb, and they will charge this data fee in addition to any song, wallpaper, etc you have to download.
That will show you how Sprint charges.
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As a new Verizon customer, I've learned a lot about the wiley methods ofv which they do business lately. However, Verizon seems to forget that the words \"with Google\" is printed on the backside of the Droid (of which this message is being composed on). Though I am using the WiFi feature on this device, I can't help but think that even though I am using my network instead of VZW's 3G, the folks at Verizon are taking advantage of this new opporitunity.
Hopefully, Google will correct Verizon's wayward behavior, especially if Verizon wants to attract new customers away from the allure of AT&T and the iPhone.
\"Now, you can ask to have this feature blocked. But even then, if you one of those buttons by accident, your phone transmits data; you get a message that you cannot use the service because it's blocked-BUT you just used 0.06 kilobytes of data to get that message, so you are now charged $1.99 again!\"
I can say for sure that this one is false, I put the data block on my wife's phone after she got it because of accidental charges and her or the kids have seen the no available message and we have received no charges. It appears that no one verifies what someone says before posting it here.
Wow, the anonymous commenter uses specific numbers, so he must be right!
Except that's he's not. Data revenue isn't 40 percent of revenue, it's more like 25 percent:
Shame on Pogue for uncritically reprinting easily-disprovable nonsense.
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Fortunately, I have an unlimited data plan. But this is still ridiculous. And Verizon is only slightly less evil than the other telecoms. However, I really wish they would unlock the GPS!
DOWn, baby, DOWn!
Verizon definately has this scam set up, and they even reinforce it, if you want to cancel your internet, it also disables your voice, video and picture texts as well. At least they allow it to disable that idiotic VZ navigator, which is set up in the same easy to accidentally access style.
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I always wondered about this. I do not pay the bill I just send money for my share every month so I was curious if the bill payer got these erroneous charges. I often hit the button from accident or \"butt-dial\" to the online storefronts. Does anyone know is AT&T does the same and if any of the companies charge a data fee to access their ringtone/background/game stores?
@Raekwon: On T-Mobile phones the buttons are equally easily pressed but they take you to T-Mobile's store and there is no charge for browsing or downloading purchased items.
@Raekwon: AT&T has a Push-to-talk feature that annoys the shit out of me.
The button is right on the side of the phone where you'd hit the other button to say, make the clock show. It's right where you hold the phone when talking, too.
And while there is a confirmation screen (\"Do you wish to enable PTT? Charges may apply?\") I just know some day I will confirm, and the screen and the noise it makes are just annoying. Turn it off unless I have push to talk on my plan.
@Raekwon: I just called AT&T to find out. I can't disable internet device-side with the crappy Ericsson I've got, so I just had one of their CSR's do it for me. She checked my recent billing history and said that I get 5 cents one month, 22 cents another month, 13 cents another month, & so on. Nothing as bad as the $1.99 fee, but still, I had her disable everything for me.
The rep also, kindly, recognized by my lack of voice that I am sick. While waiting for all of my account info to load, she gave me a home remedy for my throat. (Honey, lemon juice, dark rum, all in hot tea.) I wish all CSR's were as human as she was!
I've considered dismantling my Razr to remove the sensors on those buttons just out of principle. Having those big fat MEdia Net and Video marketplace buttons hugging the directional pad is bullshit.
@Raekwon: Sprint does not charge a fee. If I happen to do anything that would start a data connection, my phone always asks if I want to connect to the Internet. I say no and no charges appear on my bill.
I'm not sure if they charge to download ringtones and such (I don't spend money on such things generally although my other half does). IIRC they don't, but I could be wrong.
@Raekwon: ATT also booby traps some of the buttons and screens on the phones. Some months, when no one steps in the trap, we get no charge. Other months we've paid a few tens of cents. It's irritating mostly because I can't reprogram some of the buttons to something useful.
ATT: You didn't hear about this minimum MB charge, right? Nothing for you to see here. Just move along.
@Raekwon: AT&T charges per KB. I was just looking at the history on my mom's bills and she has been paying from 5 to 15 cents a month do to the same flaw. A much more reasonable charge.