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Data usage charges for receiving picture messages?

I am a Verizon wireless customer on a nationwide plan. I also pay $15.00 extra to get up to 1500 text messsages and pix/flix. I do not access the internet on my phone and the only thing I receive other than phoen calls are texts, either word or picture and rarely 15 second videos.

For a few months now I have been charged $1.99 data usage fee. When I called Verizon, they first said that I accessed the internet. Which I told them is something I just do not do. Then they said that I am getting charged the data fee for sending/receiving pictures and videos. These pictures and videos are of my children that are 1200 miles away (previous relationship) and I'm not about to lose my only ability to see them since their mother does not have internet access and is unable to send me pictures via the inteenet and email.

It's hard for me to believe that something I already pay for, texts, pix/flix is being billed again in the form of data usage charges. These are text messages, whether in word form or pictures and videos. The internet is not involved at all from what my understanding is.

Why am I being charged a data usage fee then if teh internet is not being used? Should I be charged this fee?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

lonegreywolf20

Comments

nmchileman

You absolutely, totally positive, 100% sure, under any circumstances DO NOT get billed any mebabytes for sending/receiving Picture/Video messages if you're paying for a messaging bundle.

The $1.99 Megabyte is coming from some type of web access. Either directly thru the Mobile Web or browsing the Media Center catalog or some games/applications will use megabytes. So you're using it some where, otherwise you wouldn't be getting charged $1.99 in the first place, you just might not realize what you're doing.

You can use this handy chart to see what does/doesn't charge you megabytes

lonegreywolf20

I actually just got off the phone with a Verizon CS rep. She did confirm what you had said about not being charged for pix/flix. She also mentioned that I do have everything blocked that will allow me access to the internet w/o sacrificing my ability to receive pix/flix.

So in essence she wasn't sure why I was being charged at all and said that I was given wrong info in regards to being charged for pix/flix. She mentioned that she thoroughly documented everything that her and I talked about, so that if it happens again I can call up and have the charge removed as she did this current time.

I know that I don't access the internet on my phone. I don't play any games, I don't download ringtones or anything that would constitute getting a charge. I'm 100% sure on that. I know my way around a cell phone and I have internet access at home for my internet needs. I don't need it on my phone.

Scipizoa

Actually, there ish something fishy here, for one, I called verizon amonth ago regarding data charges on my bills which i found out were from backup assistant[who knew right??] anyways, I then deleted backup assistant and requested that all data access that'll cause a $1.99 charge on my bill be blocked, I forget exactly what she said couldn't be blocked, but she said if I did block it, i couldn't get pictures or video's, since the technology to seperate pics and video messaging from data is not yet present.

So there must be something wrong with your phone or account for you to be getting charged $1.99 per pic send and recieve, but there is difenitly a link between pic/video messaging and data usage.

nmchileman

Scipizoa wrote:
but there is difenitly a link between pic/video messaging and data usage.

Yes, there is a link, MMS uses the same data connection as web browsing or downloads would. They both use the EVDO connection on your phone. However, for the purpose of billing MMS usage is tracked and not billed at normal per MB rates of $1.99. So, same connection yes. Same charges, no.

nellery28

I have the unlimited text/pic/vid bundle. They told me that it included Mobile IM since that is like texting. What they didn't tell me is the data use charge to connect to it. Pretty messed up that I can't use a feature under my UNLIMITED PACKAGE but it costs me money to use it. Figure that one out. I didn't switch from T-Mobile to Verizon to get sneaky business.

SuzyQ

nellery28 wrote:

I have the unlimited text/pic/vid bundle. They told me that it included Mobile IM since that is like texting. What they didn't tell me is the data use charge to connect to it. Pretty messed up that I can't use a feature under my UNLIMITED PACKAGE but it costs me money to use it. Figure that one out. I didn't switch from T-Mobile to Verizon to get sneaky business.
The only "data" charge for Mobile IM is the initial download of the app. Connecting and usage, although using a data connection, is NOT charged - it's all counted towards your texting allowance, or is all included in your case. If you are being charged for MB usage, it's coming from something else. Since I switched my shortcut keys to avoid accidentally "connecting" and also blocked web access and browsing, I don't get the stray MB charges any longer.

lonegreywolf20

{please keep it relevant} I said my peace and people will either agree with me or disagree, it's as simple as that.

3aTeenagers

I appreciate your knowledge of telecommuncations. Unfortunately, I am not as technically savy and merely wish to find a simple solution to reinstate FREE picture messaging. I have brought all my phones into the local verizon store and they verified I do NOT have games or other sources ulitizing data access. What do you suggest I try next?

SuzyQ

3AngryTeenagers wrote:
I appreciate your knowledge of telecommuncations. Unfortunately, I am not as technically savy and merely wish to find a simple solution to reinstate FREE picture messaging. I have brought all my phones into the local verizon store and they verified I do NOT have games or other sources ulitizing data access. What do you suggest I try next?

OK--Here are the steps I have taken and they seem to keep those stray data charges at bay MOST of the time--occaisionally one will slip through, and because I refuse to put the National Access Block on the phone(s), they refuse to take the charges off the phone(s).

I went into MyVerizon as the amin account holder, right hand side of the page, Self Service Options, then right hand side of the page, Add and Delete Features. I then went through each number and blocked Mobile Web, Application downloads, Premium SMS, and everything under Music and Tones. If we do ever need to purchase anything, I will unblock temporarily, but so far it hasn't been an issue. I also changed my shortcut keys so they don't go to Mobile Web. Kids still do get an occaisional stray charge, but not often.

HTH,

KathyDallas

Most likely it is not from picture messages, but rather from this questionable prcatice Verizon has. Many new phones come with icons that made it look like a game or application is already on the phone. But, if you click the icon, it connects to Get it Now. Even if you disconnect as soon as you see that’s what it is doing, it doesn’t matter..you are still charged a minimum of $1.99 for “browsing”.

Very deceptive, and the reply I got from customer service was totally unsatisfactory. To lure customers to click with an icon (that VZN put there as IF the app is already on your phone) and then charge for browsing” is entrapment, and a deceitful business practice. I've learned that some TX customers are working on a complaint for the attorney general's office. I'm going to send them copies of my complaint as well.

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