10-18-2011

Florida woman floored by $200,000 T-Mobile phone bill

A higher than usual phone bill can leave anyone stunned. And when Celina Aarons got a jaw-dropper for more than $200,000, it was no mistake.

The Florida woman has a plan that usually costs her $175 a month. She includes two of her brothers on it, who are deaf and mute, and use smart phones extensively for texting and communicating more easily.

"He's a sweetheart, and he goes to college and I would do anything for him," she told WSVN television of her brother Shamir.

The problem was that Shamir went to Canada on vacation, and did not turn off his data roaming.

Though T-Mobile did not have to reduce her bill, it wrote down her charges to $2,500.

"The case of Ms Aarons was extraordinary, even if the amount was correct. T-Mobile cut her bill to $2,500 and gave her six months to pay," a T-Mobile spokeswoman said.

When we went to Canada in September the second I saw Rogers on my phone I put it in airplane mode so all phone functions were turned off.

Why would people even take their Mobiles on holiday? Leave it at home, turned off and purchase a $30 pre-paid mobile when you reach your destination.

Or, take an unlocked body with you and purchase a pre-paid sim when you reach your destination.