It's True: You're Getting Ripped Off on Text-Messaging

This is what really tee's me off. I have a 200 text plan on my cell plan (AT&T). In the past when I have used pay as you go phones if I chose not to open and read a particular text I could delete it and I was not charged for it. Now that I have the plan I have noticed that I am charged for any text I receive whether I choose to read it or not. I think you should be able to see who is texting you and decide whether you want to read it or not before you are charged. I went to the at&t website and chatted with a customer service representative to ask about this. They were completely unknowledgble about this and told me I would have to call customer service. I haven't done so yet but I am going to.

well, i don't know? i have T-MOBILE and unlimited texting and i pay $68.00 a month!!! so people should check into T-MOBILE, good company, at least to me anyway!!!

I read through these once in a while, but have never before commented... I just had to this time! So many really intelligent, insightful comments! It seems it has been so long that we as a nation (including me :-) have just "not paid attention" to things like phone, cell charges, restrictions, laws, interest rates. And now people are really noticing, and taking action like so many people writing in this blog. That is really the way to get some of the "ridiculousness" of corporations to stop-- Don't use what they offer (even if it hurts a bit) or sue them when wronged (yes, it takes time and some $$, it's a shame, but what other adult choice) Kudos to all of you, and thanks for inspiring ME! PS I stopped using credit cards on principal, and will just stop paying for cell phone usage (do without) if the providers cannot find a way to be reasonable. It is a double edged sword, but there is little alternative?

texting is just plain stupid. I use my phone for the purpose was intended for to make calls when I need to. All this other stupid things thet have on phones is rediculous. people act like they have a toy. it is just plain stupid.

I am now doing away with texting and am saving $30 per month, it's bad enough Verizon charges so much for 3 phone lines and an additional 45 cents per minute if one goes over his/her minutes on their plan. Wireless companies are the BIGGEST RIP OFFS. I tried canceling the service only to be told by Verizon that I'd have to pay them $175 for each line. There should be a LAW enacted so these wireless companies don't get away with these rip offs, same goes with Direct TV.

i dont think texting is a rip-off. i just simply pay $20 a month for unlimited messaging including e-mails, instant messages, and picture messages from virgin mobile

We just learned the hard way that you have to tell the company to block your texting ability. Then you have to get a password to unblock it -whether you ever want to unblock it or not- because someone can still text you.
We just had a $500 texting bill on our cell phone bill because we did not know this little piece of info. 18 year old son. I'm sick of being held hostage to technology and default spending. And to add insult to injury when I ordered the plan I specifically asked for no texting because kids do it at school and get in trouble and they do it while they drive and get in wrecks. Both of which happened to my son last month when he realized that the texting was not password- blocked on our phones. You've got to be a lawyer and a techno-spy to get around in this world anymore.

I use Cricket on a flashed Moto Q. My coverage area is perfect for me and is ever growing. AND, if I do travel out of town for work, every city I have traveled to has Cricket service. The biggest benefit of all...$50.00/ month. Voice, text, MMS, Internet. Any service available I get for that price every month. I love to see all you people whining about your prices and lack of services.

im sorry but this artical makes no sense whatsoever people arent looking for a way to rip off the phone companies there looking for a more efficient way to talk without having to call people

if your trying to get laid, you better have unlimited text....cause chicks love texting allll day

Why does anyone put anything on a credit card that they cannot pay at the end of the month? I don't get it, but my ex did. She had 80,000 dollars on 23 cards. I would ask her, but we have not spoken since I found out.

Talk about ripoffs. I got a text message for some advertising thing on my Verizon cell. It said to text a given word back for the promo code or text "Stop" to unsubscribe. I'd never subscribed but I typed and sent stop. Then I called Verizon, who informed me had I NOT REPLIED I'd have been subscribed and charged from a third party through Verizon. They acted like they couldn't do anything about it except block that type of text message - which I said YES TO (I wonder if they will charge for that). I can't imagine how the heck it can be legal to bill you for something you never asked for and that it's counted against you if you don't respond. Ridiculous.

I Cancelled ATT Thay Charge me $200.00 xtra per month for techs on my phone. And I never techs any one to or from my phone. So I took it Off. I Save $200.00 Dollars a Month.

Im still trying to figure out wtf a cell phone is for .. i didnt need one 20 years ago and dont need one now.. Kills me all these kids constantly on the phone.. And for most people i never see anything get done talking on the phone.

They outlawed cell phone use while driving in NJ, (except for use of a hands free device) then a few months later they outlawed texting while driving. Seems that a young girl was driving with a carload of her friends after the senior prom and as she was looking down at her phone to type a text she ran head on into an 18 wheeler killing herself and all the occupants of her car.

Hey Tim,
Im still trying to figure out wtf a car is for .. They didnt need one 200 years ago and dont need one now.. Kills me all these kids constantly driving cars.. And for most people i never see anything get done driving a car. Reply

David........You are absolutely correct! On a landline, the person making the long distance call is charged, wireless both get charged and if one reaches a friend, who no longer has the number one dialed, it's still billed! Calling from a landline, it would be credited! BIG WIRELESS RIP OFF!