Funny bill from BT

**mudskipper** · 1 August 2015, 18:08

Originally posted by Ender View Post

A month ago I decided to switch my LTD phone to BT's new 4G business plan ( BT Business Mobile - Sim Only ) . Got the cheapest option - 1GB of data with some calls and texts for ₤21 per month. Tried the SIM card for two days, but the coverage at my home was very bad, so I called BT and cancelled the contract. At the end of June I got a ₤21 bill and that was paid through DD.

But a few day later I got a separate, final bill for ₤130. It was for data used in a single day. I called BT to cancel on June 8th, but accidentally left the SIM in my phone with tethering enabled. I only browsed a few websites, using way less than the 1GB included with the plan. The bill shows some data used on 7th and 8th charged at 0.00 and a ton of data charges on 9th.

Do I have any option to object this bill? As it's a business contract I guess all customer protection mechanisms are not applicable. Also not worth contacting a lawyer for this amount.

Have you called them?

**Ender** · 1 August 2015, 18:17

Didn't had a chance, their phone lines are only open on weekdays until 17:30.

Plus I expect they'll just say those rates are in the contract somewhere, so pay up stupid

**northernladuk** · 1 August 2015, 18:26

Have to wait a whole 36 hours before you can then.

**ASB** · 2 August 2015, 06:36

I would try to argue the charges are covered by the contract period??

It seems they have charged you for a month but cut off the contract allowances immediately.

Coverage of course was presumably not that bad if other devices had connected through the tethered device. You dont mention either the volume of data on the 9th or whether the contract allows for data to be shared through the tethering.

**NibblyPig** · 2 August 2015, 07:28

Prolly be careful of mentioning tethering too, it might not be covered. I'd say you just went over your data limit or something.

**Ender** · 2 August 2015, 10:35

My phone shows 550MB cellular data consumed in June, that definitely includes tethering. So I haven't gone over the free 1GB.

On 8th all tethered data used is charged at 0.00, so I don't think tethering is to blame.

**BolshieBastard** · 2 August 2015, 12:00

Originally posted by Ender View Post

A month ago I decided to switch my LTD phone to BT's new 4G business plan ( BT Business Mobile - Sim Only ) . Got the cheapest option - 1GB of data with some calls and texts for ₤21 per month. Tried the SIM card for two days, but the coverage at my home was very bad, so I called BT and cancelled the contract. At the end of June I got a ₤21 bill and that was paid through DD.

But a few day later I got a separate, final bill for ₤130. It was for data used in a single day. I called BT to cancel on June 8th, but accidentally left the SIM in my phone with tethering enabled. I only browsed a few websites, using way less than the 1GB included with the plan. The bill shows some data used on 7th and 8th charged at 0.00 and a ton of data charges on 9th.

Do I have any option to object this bill? As it's a business contract I guess all customer protection mechanisms are not applicable. Also not worth contacting a lawyer for this amount.

So, you've clearly been negligent in leaving both the sim in the phone and tethering enabled after cancellation and, acknowledge a 'ton of data charges on the 9th' but dont think you have to pay up?

It also sounds like you didnt read your contract especially regarding termination clauses and costs.

OK. Good luck with that.

**Ender** · 2 August 2015, 15:59

Thanks BolshieBastard for sharing the Russian approach - bow down to authority and accept you faith

Here in UK we live in a slightly different way

**sal** · 3 August 2015, 10:16

How do one accidentally leave the SIM in the phone, tethering enabled another device connected to the wifi, or was it an "accident"?

anyway, this might be an error on their part, so definitely worth checking with customer service, just don't keep your hopes high, it's BT after all.

Funny bill from BT