Another Cautionary Cellphone Tale

[ghengis]

Got that at the NY times. have fun reading it

Another Cautionary Cellphone Tale


Here’s a little e-mail transaction with a reader that I think you might find interesting. I know I’ve covered this topic before, but people don’t seem to be getting the message. May it teach several lessons at once.

Dear David…HELP! My teenage daughter thought she lost her T-Mobile cell phone in the mess she calls her bedroom, so we didn’t report it stolen to T-Mobile.

But in fact, the phone had been stolen. The thieves took out the SIM card and took it to Peru, and proceeded to make a

local (in Peru, but roaming for me) call every 3 minutes for days and days, until T-Mobile finally froze the account–but not until the bill was $9,000.

I spoke with the T-Mobile people and they confirmed that the calls were made in Peru, and not even from my daughter’s phone, but with her SIM card. They are insisting that my contract makes me responsible and are not budging an inch. What can I do? Any suggestions? –L.

Dear L: I suggest talking to a supervisor. They usually forgive these sorts of bills, at least the first time it happens. This sort of problem happens fairly often. Good luck! –David

Dear David: I spoke (very politely) with a supervisor for 15 minutes, and he would not budge. All he would talk about is a payment plan. Help! –L.

Dear L: Oh, dear! Well, I’d try again. With luck, you’ll get a different supervisor. Or ask for a higher one.
Although L, with all due respect–who wouldn’t report a cellphone lost after ‘days and days’?

David–Thanks very much for your advice. I did call back, and went one level higher with the supervisor thing….and they did forgive almost all of it.

I never really understood my exposure here. I’m of course aware of what can happen with a credit card, but this phone theft thing was not on my radar. –L.

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/...ellphone-tale/