I got hit with a $500 phone bill this month, this is my second bill. The first one was also high but I know that all 4 of us on the family plan were playing like crazy trying to figure out all the bells and whistles so I didn't question it too much. We do not have a data plan so when I saw the high internet charges the first time, we stopped using the internet for anything except for the kids to download music from the Sprint music store. During that month, they only accessed this store 3 times and for very short periods of time, but we were hit multiple times on each phone with $75.00 data charges. I tried to get someone to explain these charges to me, but I got very vague answers, then I tried to get them to delete or reduce the charges. I was unaware that the charges were anything like this, and even if I was, I do not believe that we accessed the internet anywhere near to justify these charges. They kept saying these are valid charges and the supervisor would not budge even one inch. All he offered was to put us on an internet plan with data access with double our minutes (which we don't currently even come close to using now) and at twice the monthly cost that what we originally signed up for. I cannot afford to pay this bill, we are on a very tight budget, and we cannot afford to have our credit ruined by refusing to pay... our bill is already late because I have been fighting this. Do we have any recourse or are we out of luck?

Last month I downgraded my plan to 700 minutes from 1400 minutes, got the 300 text message package for $5 and extended my service contract so I would receive a $100 credit to my account. Before these changes, my bill averaged $120 a month. This month I received a $200 bill. I was charged for 495 text messages over the 300 message limit-that's 5 times the most text messages I have ever used in any billing cycle since I've been with Sprint. I only receive text messages from 3 people and I don't subscribe to any messaging lists. I explained all of this to customer service (cs), yet cs rep reassured me that there are text messaging elves that send you text messages when you don't want any, that Sprint charges for incoming messages, and that I was just a victim of the naughty elves (I embellish a little). I decided to upgrade my plan to 1000 text messages for $10, despite being an only occassional text messager, in the feverish hope that it could be applied retroactively, and I wouldn't have to pay $99 in fraudulent charges. But CS apologetically informed me that upgrade would only be applied partly retroactively and a $50 credit was the very best she could muster due to "system" constraints. Is it just a coincidence that these fraudulent charges come right after extending my service contract? I feel like I've been offered candy and whacked on the hand for taking it. Or is this some sort of sick punishment for choosing to downgrade my plan?

A few of the built in programs, games, options. Do connect to the internet service without asking. Nor any way to know that it is or to disable the function of connectivity. I would recommend simply having internet blocked by Sprint. Though forcing you to 'use' the internet connection without warning or authentication by the user. I do believe to be illegal practices. Posting a primary complaint would be my first action. As once I had brought in a third party Sprint was willing to 'work' with me on the problem they had created. Second I would recommend talking to a law firm who deals with cell phone companies and their tactics for nickel and dimeing customers.

As an instance I fought with them after dealing with my initial problem. I had downloaded a game and paid for the unlimited use (Tetris), though since it is only really played locally as a one player game. Ever time I opened the program it would connect to a "high scores" web site, and I would be billed for connecting to the net. With no way to disable this internet request I would get hit with a $0.03 charge each and every time I opened, finished a game, or closed the program. A few programs that came readily on the phone also did this kind of connection. Again, with no way to disable the connectivity option. Good luck on getting your problem fixed.

Well I to am being charged for data charges that I never used and also a ringtone that I never downloaded and is not on my phone. I've called Sprint, emailed them and also did there help chat. They still insist I used the data charges. I had them block internet on the phone and for another week following(I was on vacation phone was off) more charges where applied to the phone. They insist I have the ringtone (phone is always on vibrate). Next option, to take to a Sprint store and have them do a diagnostic on the phone which supposedly will tell them what usage has occured and to find the mysterious ringtone. I'll tell you how that works tomorrow.

I am a sprint customer also who has been charge for using the internet, which I have not. I was also incurred other charges unfairly. For example, they will add $60.00 more than is due, then subtract $30.00 to correct the problem.
Like many before me, I need help to correct these types of over charge billing.

Sprint Customer
Youngstown, Ohio

I was also billed for internet use while paying for the unlimited data connection.
Also charging me for each individual text message while I was paying for unlimited test messaging services.

They did do some crediting each month, but never for the full amount of fraudulent charges.

I'm a sprint customer who has been charged for internet charges on my bill for October and November. I complained to sprints customer service that I have not used the internet on the cell phone. They refused to take the charges off of my bill. They insist that I have used the internet service and I know I have not used the internet service. My cell phone has been disconnected because I refuse to pay the data charges. I need to know what I can do to fight sprint on this issue.

Sprint Customer
Philadelphia, PA