Huge Bills For Surfing Web Abroad - Even With Internet Switched Off

[george]

Another iPhone glitch: Holidaymakers hit with huge bills for surfing web abroad - even with internet switched OFF

Owners of Apple's iPhone have been warned of a new problem that could see them unfairly charged hundreds of pounds for using them on holiday.

People with smart phones face big bills if they connect to the internet over the mobile phone network while overseas to check and send emails or browse the web.

Most holidaymakers turn off this function when abroad in order to avoid a nasty shock.

But some people who turn off this function on their iPhone are still being hit with enormous bills once they get home, it has been claimed.

Weather forecast showing 70 degrees and continuous week of sun on iPhone screen application

Apple has suffered a number of PR blows in recent weeks linked to the launch of the iPhone 4 and associated reception problems when making calls.

The firm's reputation for producing cutting edge technology is now facing a new challenge.

The problem with using the iPhones overseas was picked up by contributors to the consumer champion website moneysavingexpert.com, founded by Martin Lewis.

One user says she was charged almost £1,500 even though she had turned off data roaming on her phone throughout her trip to the US.

Turning off data roaming means you cannot download internet data on a handset overseas using a mobile network, but you can search the web using wifi.

Using wi-fi should not trigger charges from your network.

Many users who have complained to their network have been given refunds.

Even though the majority of the complaints have been from o2 users, who have the highest number of iPhone users, customers from all of the major networks have been hit with the same problem.

One user wrote on the site’s forum: ‘I travelled to Egypt in March and made sure my data roaming and all push notifications were off.

‘On my return I had a bill for £75.93 for “data use”. I admit I used the free wifi in the hotel to browse the net on my iPhone but at no time made calls or texts and data roaming remained switched off.’

Another said: 'Received extra charge of £70 in March this year - Singapore. Used wireless service in hotel - but this was free.

'I have always used free wi-fi so I was very surprised to have been charged this extra from o2. 'I phoned o2 and told them my data roaming was off so can this happen???

'Their reply was that I should have turned my wi-fi off as the iPhone automatically switches to internet when out of range of free wi-fi. I consider this to be absolute rubbish!!!'

A spokesperson for o2 said: 'We are investigating these problems with Apple.'

Martin Lewis, creator of MoneySavingExpert.com said: ‘Those who have paid when they shouldn't have, should contact their network immediately and demand a refund.

‘In some cases, we're hearing the networks are paying out without too much argument, which could indicate this is a known problem. Let's hope it does not get brushed under the carpet.'

Moneysavingexpert.com advises users to avoid being charged by making sure they have downloaded the latest software for their phone and switched off the data roaming facility before leaving the UK.

Holidaymakers are also advised to make sure their emails are set to manually retrieve messages to stop the phone trying to download emails while out of wi-fi range.

On the 1st July a cap on the cost of using mobile phones in Europe came into effect today and should prevent millions of holidaymakers from suffering 'bill shock'.

There is now a cap of 50 euros (around £41.50) on the cost of using a smartphone to access the internet or emails when visiting other EU states.

Many of the complaints either predate this ruling or are from outside the EU.

A spokesperson for Apple was unavailable for comment.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1297159/Hundreds-Apple-iPhone-users-left-facing-huge-bills-surfing-web-abroad-internet-switched-OFF.html

[wandrinstar]

TOT had a similar scam with Thaksins Mob.They charged you long distance rate on internet Cards.The Warning needed a Microscope to read it.They made sure the Locall Server was useless.I was scammed 25K Bht,they just laughed.They caught every ferang i know,,Legal Theft i call it.