AT&T customer hit with $6,223 bill after being on pay-per-use plan for one day

[midian182]

WTF?! Nobody likes an unexpectedly high expense, especially when it's an AT&T wireless bill that instead of being the usual $250 is a massive $6,223. That was the shocking amount a Redditor was charged, and it was due to accidentally being put on a pay-per-use plan for a single day.

Redditor Usual-Guava-8899, who says they are a first responder, has been with AT&T for over a decade and has always used unlimited plans. They usually pay around $250 - $266 for four lines and some monthly installments for phones, but last week the bill was a slightly higher $6,223.60.

The user said the only change that had been made recently was moving their line over to FirstNet, a nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders.

Courtesy of Usual-Guava-8899

After an hour on the phone with AT&T customer service, during which time the customer rep and the supervisor insisted the bill was $205 even though the online account said $6,223, Usual-Guava-8899 went to a corporate store in Dallas for help.

It was discovered that when the account was migrated to FirstNet, AT&T accidentally placed the customer on a pay-per-use plan – for a single day. In those 24 hours, he used 3,097 MB of data. At an obscene cost of $2 per MB, the charge pushed the total bill up to $6,223.

How is this even legal?

The associate said they had contacted the office of the company president to address the matter, and that the user should expect to hear something back later that day. Two days later, AT&T still hadn't responded.

In an update to the original Reddit post, Usual-Guava-8899 wrote that the office of the president had referred the matter back to the store to take care of it. The store manager is apparently working on the problem right now. The user also clarified that they had not traveled internationally or been on a cruise during the pay period.

This isn't the first time an AT&T customer has been hit with a bill of around $6,000. In 2022, after one month of service on a plan that AT&T calls its "Unlimited Starter" plan, TikToker Lulú was hit with a bill of this size. As with this current case, the company had charged her $2 per MB of data for the 3,003MB she used.

@luluxv.xo My whole day is ruined. I spent an 1.5 hour on the phone with customer service crying. Ive called multiple times in the past few weeks & everyone told me my bill was going to be $120. Idk how this happens. @att #greenscreen #attscam #phonebill #capitalism ♬ Not me starting a TikTok trend purrrrr - Prestonisoverparty

Permalink to story:

AT&T customer hit with $6,223 bill after being on pay-per-use plan for one day

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

$250 in considered normal in America??? My god you guys are getting ripped off everywhere, aren't you?

 

[Endymio]

$250 in considered normal in America??? My god you guys are getting ripped off everywhere, aren't you?

$250 for four unlimited lines is rather a good deal -- just over $60/line. If you think you're getting better, I suspect you're in a nation that subsidizes service, meaning your tax dollars are a large, hidden portion of what you pay.

 

[Neatfeatguy]

$250 in considered normal in America??? My god you guys are getting ripped off everywhere, aren't you?

That $250 bill for 4 lines is crazy. Knock off about $115 and you'll get my monthly bill with Verizon with 4 lines.

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

I'm in the uk, and get an unlimited service for £30, four of them, without some bundle deal would be £120, or roughly $150. Sounds like you guys get ripped off

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

That $250 bill for 4 lines is crazy. Knock off about $115 and you'll get my monthly bill with Verizon with 4 lines.

Phew. Sounds a bit more reasonable than 250

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

$250 in considered normal in America??? My god you guys are getting ripped off everywhere, aren't you?

Not at all, it typically costs $25-45 for an unlimited line in the US.

 

[Che Cazzo]

$250 for four unlimited lines is rather a good deal -- just over $60/line. If you think you're getting better, I suspect you're in a nation that subsidizes service, meaning your tax dollars are a large, hidden portion of what you pay.

Heck no, it is not!! Almost anywhere you look it's like $25 per line when you get 4 lines!! Well except for AT&T and the company that you use!!

You're just trying to normalize the obscene prices some people pay to greedy AT&T and other providers.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I'm in the uk, and get an unlimited service for £30, four of them, without some bundle deal would be £120, or roughly $150. Sounds like you guys get ripped off

The UK is poorer than Mississippi. $150 is a much bigger deal when your national average wage is only $43k a year (compared to $63k for the US) and you pay higher taxes than we do.

Context matters.

For the record, you can get unlimited lines cheaper. For $250 you can get 5 lines from cricket unlimited. MetroPCS you can get 5 for $200. The ATT plan at $250 likely includes phone upgrades which pre credit plans don’t include

 

[Burty117]

Context matters.

Also, the UK is some tiny little island, I doubt the cost to the providers here to build out the infrustructure is anywhere near as high as it is in America.

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

The UK is poorer than Mississippi. $150 is a much bigger deal when your national average wage is only $43k a year (compared to $63k for the US) and you pay higher taxes than we do.

Context matters.

For the record, you can get unlimited lines cheaper. For $250 you can get 5 lines from cricket unlimited. MetroPCS you can get 5 for $200. The ATT plan at $250 likely includes phone upgrades which pre credit plans don’t include

Not to derail the conversation, but those taxes mean we pay 0 for healthcare, so overall we pay less.

Back on topic, I'm glad to see that the article writer is just out of touch with pricing, rather than the whole of the US having its wallet wrung dry

 

[Win7user]

So, many Americans are just consumed with that damn Smartphone. Go to T-Mobile, Get a TLC Flip Phone,(or any of several other flip phones) $49, plus tax. T-Mobile service, $15 per month plan, plus tax, unlimited calling, texting, and 5mb of data. Done, and done...

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

So, many Americans are just consumed with that damn Smartphone. Go to T-Mobile, Get a TLC Flip Phone,(or any of several other flip phones) $49, plus tax. T-Mobile service, $15 per month plan, plus tax, unlimited calling, texting, and 5mb of data. Done, and done...

The issue isn't the phone, it's the Internet access.

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

The issue isn't the phone, it's the Internet access.

5mb wouldn't get a Google search loaded these days with all the junk they serve up before the results

 

[Endymio]

Heck no, it is not!! Almost anywhere you look it's like $25 per line when you get 4 lines!!

Not for unlimited service in the US with a provider with excellent coverage. Sorry, facts do matter.

You're just trying to normalize the obscene prices some people pay to greedy AT&T and other providers.

Ah, the joy of simplifying any and all life's complexities down to the one word: "greed".

Tell me. How often have you sold a home, car, or other major asset for less than the best price you could get for it? Or are you ruled by "greed"?

 

[Neatfeatguy]

Phew. Sounds a bit more reasonable than 250

My plan is just Verizon's "basic" unlimited plan on 4 phones. After taxes each line is roughly $34.50.

You could certainly step up to the next unlimited tier line called "Unlimited Plus". You are allowed 30GB Premium mobile hotspot data and the 5G Ultra Wideband coverage. This costs an extra $15 per line over the basic plan.

You could go to the "Unlimited Ultimate" plan. Allows 60GB hotspot data, high speed international data and upgrade phone perk (if you have this plan you can "save" when you upgrade to a new phone) for an extra $25 per line over the basic plan.

In theory a 4 line unlimited plan can be as low as about $135 a month (after taxes) to about $250.

I'm looking to replace my S8 phone (have had it for just over 7 years) and Verizon says they'll front up to $1000 (depending on the phone you want to upgrade to) if you will upgrade your current plan from basic to Ultimate. In actuality I wouldn't be saving any money, I'd actually be spending just a bit more because I'm not getting anything for free. If I pay an extra $25 a month for the Ultimate plan, over 36 months that comes out $900. Don't forget the one time initialization fee (which is $35 I believe) to activate the new phone, plus roughly 15% tax each month.....
Roughly $63.25 will be my new monthly payment.
36 months for just my phone would be $2,277 + initialization fee = $2312

If I just paid off the $799.99 for a S24 (Roughly $860 after taxes) + $35 = $895
$895 (for the new phone cost) + 36 months at $34.50 a month = $2137

As you can see, in the end, I'm actually paying more out of pocket by about $175 over that three year period if I were to allow Verizon to "gift" me a phone for upgrading.

 

[Bamda]

This is why I am on Mint Mobile, my phone bill for the entire year is $180.

 

[Win7user]

The issue isn't the phone, it's the Internet access.

Internet? All, you need a phone for is talking, or texting. 5g of data is plenty for that! The whole point, is to cut out the colossal expense, which yes, is the internet/data. Try to keep up...

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

Internet? All, you need a phone for is talking, or texting. 5g of data is plenty for that! The whole point, is to cut out the colossal expense, which yes, is the internet/data. Try to keep up...

Well, win7user (slightly ironic considering this) for one who tells me to keep up, you seem to forget the world is more than just talking and texting these days, internet access is important for everyone.

As an aside, shame on these companies for gouging people over something so necessary, not just in the US, but across the world. The profits they make just show how much cheaper it could all be.

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

Internet? All, you need a phone for is talking, or texting. 5g of data is plenty for that! The whole point, is to cut out the colossal expense, which yes, is the internet/data. Try to keep up...

Also, you said 5mb before, 5gb is more reasonable for a light user

 

[Win7user]

Well, win7user (slightly ironic considering this) for one who tells me to keep up, you seem to forget the world is more than just talking and texting these days, internet access is important for everyone.

As an aside, shame on these companies for gouging people over something so necessary, not just in the US, but across the world. The profits they make just show how much cheaper it could all be.

You make your own choices. These companies, know you, and others like you, which is why they charge the S out of you people, for both Smartphones and service. You, don't know any better, and these companies know it... And, no one "needs" a Smarthpone, they WANT a $400 to 1,500 Smartphone. And, they/you also pay, $80 to $180 a month for service to use those darn things! And, why would these companies, who clearly charge more than they need for cell phones and service alike, drop the prices when so many of you will give them what ever amount they charge!!

You, still, haven't figured it out yet have you, you and others like you, are the very people driving these prices into the stratosphere! You, purchase what ever comes down the pike, no questions asked. It's a status thing among most people. Which is also why most Americans in this country, have no savings, you spend like your Donald Trump! But I digress...

This is the end of this thread.

 

[Baldrickalpha1]

You make your own choices. These companies, know you, and others like you, which is why they charge the S out of you people, for both Smartphones and service. You, don't know any better, and these companies know it... And, no one "needs" a Smarthpone, they WANT a $400 to 1,500 Smartphone. And, they/you also pay, $80 to $180 a month for service to use those darn things! And, why would these companies, who clearly charge more than they need for cell phones and service alike, drop the prices when so many of you will give them what ever amount they charge!!

You, still, haven't figured it out yet have you, you and others like you, are the very people driving these prices into the stratosphere! You, purchase what ever comes down the pike, no questions asked. It's a status thing among most people. Which is also why most Americans in this country, have no savings, you spend like your Donald Trump! But I digress...

This is the end of this thread.

Well, they might. I spend the equivalent of maybe $35 in my local, get 150GB monthly, consume most of that with heavy Internet use, and buy handsets when needed, not when the latest fad comes along. Can't agree with you more though that they wouldn't charge it if people weren't buying. Some people have more money than sense when it comes to luxuries

 

[Win7user]

Well, they might. I spend the equivalent of maybe $35 in my local, get 150GB monthly, consume most of that with heavy Internet use, and buy handsets when needed, not when the latest fad comes along. Can't agree with you more though that they wouldn't charge it if people weren't buying. Some people have more money than sense when it comes to luxuries

Xfinity Internet Service gives me 80Mbps download speed, and 10Mbps up for the bargain price of $14.95, plus tax, for unlimited data, in Northern California. I realize if you are gaming, you need more bandwidth. This month I streamed quite a bit, 781g for December. I have two computers at home, seems to do the job. I don't see the point of surfing the internet on a 5" by 7" screen. Although I'm not opposed to purchasing a $200 Smartphone, it's getting harder and harder to use a flip phone, the way technology is going. It's hard to carry those Smartphones with you, though, where a flip phone clips on my belt. I don't even take my phone with me most of the time. I only got a cell phone (had a landline) because, as a Class A driver, my boss said I need one so he could get a hold of me when on the road. Fair enough. I'm retired now, so I don't really need a cell phone at all. I'd get a landline, but the only one offering that service is AT&T, and they want $36 a month, and that's without long distance service. Shoot, I pay $15 a month for unlimited calling and texting, with 5g of data. Guess, I'm stuck.