‘Avoiding bill shock from your mobile phone’ checklist

This week, the Office of the Attorney General’s “Consumer Caution Corner” outlines the Federal Communications Commission’s guidance on how owners of mobile phones can best protect themselves from unexpected high bills levied by their mobile phone providers.

Overage charges and fees on your mobile phone bill can be tough to swallow, especially when they are unexpected and result from usage patterns you thought were safe within your plan. The FCC wants to help you avoid “bill shock.”

Following this simple checklist should help:

Step #1: Understand your usage pattern for voice calls
When setting up your plan options, ask yourself:

• Will I use the phone frequently or for emergencies only?
• Do I call at all times or mainly days, evenings, or weekends?
• Are most of my calls local? Regional? Nationwide? Worldwide?
• Are most of my calls to a small number of friends and family, or do I call many different people?

Step #2: Understand your plan options for data and text
• If you have used data and text plans before—enough to know your usage pattern—talk to your service provider about the plan that will be best for you.
• If you are new to data and text, choose a plan that seems right and monitor your usage during the first few weeks to see if you are approaching your limit.
• If your data or text usage is high, consider an unlimited data plan option.

Step #3: Ask your carrier how you can avoid bill shock
Options may include phone or text alerts, allowing you to monitor your account online or by giving you additional information.

Step #4: Consider a pre-paid plan
A pre-paid plan may help keep your phone bill in check. When you “pre-pay” for all your minutes, you will be unable to go over your set limit.

Step #5: Understand where you may incur roaming fees
• Make sure your phone’s screen will alert you when you are roaming.
• Ask your service provider where network roaming is likely to occur with its service.

Step #6: Plan before traveling internationally
If you expect to take your phone outside the United States and use it for voice or data, including email, make sure to find out beforehand what charges your provider may apply.

See the FCC’s consumer guide on International Roaming: Using Your Mobile Phone in Other Countries, available at www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/international-roaming-using-your-mobile-phone-other-countries.

Filing a complaint
• If you feel your phone bill is inaccurate and you are unable to resolve it with your service provider, you have multiple options for filing a complaint with the FCC:
• File a complaint online at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
• By phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) ; ASL: 1-844-432-2275
• By mail (please include your name, address, contact information, and as much detail about your complaint as possible):

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554

Consumer Help Center
For more information on consumer issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer Help Center at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.

Each week, the OAG’s Consumer Protection Education Program shares Federal Trade Commission and/or FCC publications that provide consumers and businesses with the “know-how” to identify and protect themselves from unfair trade practices and marketplace schemes. If you would like to file a consumer complaint, please pick up a form at the OAG (on Capital Hill) or request one by email from consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org. After completing the consumer complaint, please submit it by email or in-person.

We cannot act as your private attorney. If you need legal assistance, we will recommend that you contact a private attorney or legal aid organization. We cannot give legal advice or act as your private attorney. Michael J. Cyganek (Special to the Saipan Tribune)

Michael J. Cyganek is consumer counsel of the Office of the Attorney General.