Grossly misrepresenting data usage

[Wildman]

The main issue with the whole thing is you are using a desktop on a mobile connection and in order to isolate the items using the data you need to know where to start.

There is thousands of apps that can be on a desktop that can use data for simple actions and without sitting in front of your computer I really don't see a sure answer being possible because of all the many things that it could be.

Basically you need to isolate the problem before you can find a solution.

[Wildman]

Check out this post and maybe it will help you isolate things...

reviews.cnet.co.uk/laptops/how-to-track-your-broadband-data-usage-on-pc-or-mac-50006192/

[mleavengood]

Steve, did you ever get any resolution?  I recently saw a colleague's MiFi 890L, and decided I had to have it.  In full disclosure, I spent almost 14 years with Sprint as a network engineer...so I have a pretty good idea of wireless services!!  Before the device arrived, I research the forums and saw your post.  It still didn't prepare me for the last 11 days!!!  I activated the device on the evening of 11/8, and downloaded a speed test application from my iPad to test the speeds (OOKLA Speedtest app - 9.7mg).  I ran two tests, then did a quick Yahoo! Finance search just to check the connectivity through Safari.  After a couple of pages checking my stocks, I signed off and powered down the device.  Oh yeah...I set up my wifi security with a very different SSID than I'd ever used before that literally no one else would know/guess.  I didn't use the device again. To my great surprise, I received an email 3 days later telling me that I had used over 50% of my 6gb plan.  I called VZ support, and got in touch with Juan, who was useless but promised he'd open a ticket and get me a usage report.  Still haven't gotten that report!  Decided to pull it from on-line tool for myself.  Anyway, I decided to not take any chances while I was gone on a trip, so I took the battery out of the device.  Two days later, I get the email I'm now at 5.2gb of usage, and I need to be careful.  Before returning back home, I had the email that I was officially over my 6gb plan.  While still on the road, I called VZ again, but this time got a young man who immediately said he saw something very strange about my activation in the system...even before I told my tale of woe. But since I wasn't with the device, they couldn't help me correct the problem.  Once I got home this evening, I contact VZ again, this time with the device in front of me.  A nice young woman named Polly again immediately said she saw what looked to be an issue with the activation, and pulled in tech support to help me.  That's when things went terribly wrong.  The tech support guy said there was valid usage and that I must be mistaken.  And that he could prove there was usage and I was on the hook for it.  They are allegedly running super-special reports tonight that will show who/what/where consumed the bandwidth, and will share it with in the morning.  I truly just want the service to work, and be somewhat accurate on the usage...I've got no axe to grind yet!  But the on-line reports don't show usage that in any way corresponds with the time I activated the account and briefly used the device.  And during the days when the device had the battery removed, there are days with no usage, and days with several hundred meg consumed.  Is there any hope of getting this resolved!?  They've tried to convince me that my accounts might have been hijacked, or that someone hacked my security and has been the culprit.  I might could buy that if I had left the device on...but it was physically disabled on my dining room table!!!

[lauraswink]

I just contact VZ the other day and had a loooonnnngggg discussion with the service rep there. To date, I am now using 7x the rate of data that I ever using in months past over the last two years. She said there was nothing wrong with the service (again) and that I just don't realize how much data that I am using. Not so, I now work on the computer on a daily basis and I could understand 2x or 3x what I was using before - - but 7x???? I now have to keep the computer off more and more -not a way to make a living.

I now have a call into SuddenLink who will be coming out to install cable internet at home.

the only problem now is that I have to pay VZ $120 for canceling their service. This makes me angry because I KNOW that they are mis-representing what is going on here....

How so??

Well, just as I was getting off the phone with the VZ rep, she stated that she had seen the 4G LTE service work and how great it is and yes, it uses more data than the 3G service.

I was dumb-founded. I don't think she realized what she said....she actually admitted that this service particular service - for every unit of data the old 3G service used, now uses more (apparently much more) at the 4G level, so it's not one-for one data, its probably 3 or 4 times for one.... So yes, they are lying about the service and are probably holding out to see how it all settles down - people will adjust, some will get bigger plans and then all this will go away - and they will pocket a bajillion dollars.

I am going to write the Better Business Bureau as soon as I have cancelled the service.

I am now at 8gigs over my plan of 5gig. So far, Verizon will be getting to take ALL the money I made working online this month + some. I can't afford two years of this and I am going to sh++t-can the service...period.

If they are lucky, they won't loose my other accounts....

[tuaca1007]

Steve,

     I experienced a similar issue today with my Verison jetpack, and the summary of usage on my account.  When you first log into your Verison Summary page , the Data Usage actually reflects the data available on your plan, but misrepresents it as data used on the screen.  If you select "Detailed Usage", and then return to the Account Summary screen, the numbers will change, to reflect the total data used in comparison to the total data for your plan.  This is clearly a programming issue within Verison, but is very confusing to the average Verison customer.  I could see how someone could be mislead when originally logging into their account, and decide to stop using the jetpack as to not go over on their data usage.  Verison's response was to explain that the system does not portry real-time numbers, but when comparing .09 GB to 2.91 GB, this cannot be the results of a system update delay. 

     This is a gross misrepresentation of data usage within our accounts.  Customers are being taken advatage of by another giant.  There is no place for this in an organization like Verison.  I encourage other customers to voice their experiences with data usage, so Verison might do something about their misrepresentation.  I pressed the IT individual to report the error, and that I have screen prints showing the error.  I don't expect much!  Maybe someone wwithin the organization will read this and decide to do something about it.

[bethsmith]

I was living in an apartment that had WI FI so I didn't use my hotspot for a few months. As I look over the history all the months that I did not use it, it shows a minimum of 1000gb used. How can that be???? So they start you at 1000gb. I just looked into this because I moved and I know to be very careful about what I do online so I don't go over my 5gb. Well I'm using the hotspot for 4 days and I'm being told I have used 50%. I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!! I have had the hotspot for a few years so I know just what to do and not what to do.

I am very interested in a case against them. I'm checking into other companies but the problem is the 2 big guys have the "best coverage" and all it comes down to picking the lesser of the necessary evils. I'm not thriller about being on this blog either with big brother watching.

[itsme_dg]

Steve I am a Sprint costumer, I moved to a rural area and thought I'd do better with Verizon, but I have had the same experiences as you, to do a test I used both the Verizon and i turned my cell into a hotspot with sprint, it took me a week to use 1gb, i had used 6 with Verizon. I am closing my account! Oh and the sprint's 3g was faster, go figure. I'm in with you!

[bigheart]

Steve, I am with you as well.  I had a similar problem and reported it to Verizon but I couldn't get anywhere.  I also noticed that the data meter sometimes goes up even when I am not using my phone.  I understand that there can be background traffic and they can up the usage but the fluctuation was much more than any process's background traffic.  I have also noticed that previous billing cycle's data usage sometimes get added onto the current billing cycle in the bill.  I believe these are pretty serious issues that Verizon should start looking into.  Otherwise, I can see that some customers leaving for companies with unlimited data plans like Sprint.  I am thinking of leaving as well, as soon as my contract expires.  I checked out Sprint store near my house.  Their speed wasn't as fast as Verizon, probably due partly to the fact they have not rolled out completely in the Chicagoland area, but it was a decent speed that I can live with and I won't have to worry about these data usage billing issues that are consuming my time.

[T4]

I am so disappointed in Verizon.  I left Sprint many years ago because Verizon had a better network for my area.  I had an issue with my first bill and Verizon handled the problem immediately.  I have stayed with them and never had another issue until now.  I went to the local Verizon store to purchase my husband an IPhone.  While there the rep talked to me about getting hotspot and told me I could take it use it and bring it back if not happy. I explained that I am not familiar with such devices but he was very nice and assured me I could end the service with no impact to my contract or early fee.  I experienced the same problem everyone else seems to have, the device was turned off but yet Verizon said I used data on the device. I called customer service spoke with Dan and he told me to take the device back to the store. I boxed it up and went to the Verizon store and spoke with the manager who had no idea they were to take the device back. He had to call his regional manager. Then he told me I would have to pay an early termination fee of $170 which I stated I did not think I should have to pay so while at the store I called Verizon Customer Service and put the call on speaker, explained the situation and the Representative  stated the store was required to verbally tell me about the early termination fee at the time of purchase. The person I bought the device from came over and told both the manager and the Verizon representative that he did not do so. The Verizon rep stated the store would have to waive the fee. The manager refused and after numerous calls to Verizon they say too bad I signed the paperwork which I did...but as I am sure most of you know, you are not given a copy of what you are signing until after everything is done, then they give you a copy.  I spoke with Verizon Customer Service supervisor who told me basically I was stupid to trust anyone and they don't care whether the device is working properly or not and if I leave Verizon that is fine... Unfortunately in buying my husband the iPhone I extended my contract for 2 years so I do agree I would have to pay early termination on that and understood that at time of purchase because the person at the store told me that about the phone.  It is sad that although the store salesperson admitted what was said to me neither the store nor Verizon would waive the fee. The Customer Service supervisor was rude and nasty about the entire incident.  But she did tell me that your local Verizon store can do whatever they want and Verizon cannot enforce them to do what is right regardless.  That let me know I need to leave Verizon. Any company that does not standby it's name to provide quality services and products deserves (in my opinion) to loss all business and go under....of course companies that screw the public can usually count on a bailout from the Government so I am sure the loss of my business will not phase Verizon.  they should back to the company they were 10 years ago that cared about their customers and wanted to keep them. As each of my lines become eligible for termination I am gone! Sorry to vent but reading your post made me realize people need to know what kind of company they are doing business with.

[commonsense101]

why you upset with verizon though? maybe read your post again