Prepaid user being charged for GPRS even tho not browsing / signed up for data package

[roz1976]

I contacted AT&T but they told me to call the Gomobile Hotline number which is completely automated, with no way for me to get my enquiry answered.  I hunted for an email address but to no avail.

Anyways, I'm a prepaid user on a pay as you go (10cents) plan.  I am not subscribed to any data package.

Lately I noticed my phone has been deducting on its own - 0.03cents here, 0.02cents there - even when I'm not using it.

I checked my Account history online and there were charges for GPRS.  How and why is this happening?

Would appreciate if someone can help me out.  My credit balance is reducing right before my eyes!!!!

Thanks a lot.

[Wild Banchi ACE - Professor]

I had noticed these charges on my prepaid GoPhone, too, but ever since I "upgraded" to a smartphone, the charges have disappeared (due to no pay-per-use data options). I don't know why I would get them, but if I remember correctly, I think I would get them after sending or receiving an MMS message; even though I was subscribed to a messaging plan.

Would you like to try sending an e-mail here? AT&T Corporate E-mal: http://www.corp.att.com/contact/forms/inquiries.html
It's been proven to be a good resource in the past, so you should expect a reply fairly quick.

[roz1976]

OK, I'll try that.   Thanks a lot!

[Wild Banchi ACE - Professor]

You're welcome!

[jamileh]

Hey Roz1976, 

The email address WildBanchi provided will get you in touch with someone who can help however we can probably get you to the right team a little more quickly. 

Since the resolution for this issue will depend on your account information, I'm going to send you a private message to get the ball rolling. 

Once your issue is resolved, it would be great if you could come back to this thread and let everyone know how things went that would be great. (Without posting your account info of course )

[lungfruit]

I recently switched to an AT&T Avail and I am having this same problem.  Everytime I wake up my phone there is a new charge.  Usually just a few cents, but one was aout $5.  I can't seem find the answer anywhere what this is.  I have made exactly one phone call and sent one text in the last 72 hours, but continue to get these charges. On my account they are listed as GPRS.  

Thanks for you help!

[JFizDaWiz]

Probably hit the internet button if one is on the phone

[lungfruit]

No internet button on this phone.

[jamileh]

I got your private message this morning and will respond in just a bit. 

Thanks!

[La-La]

The Avail is a smartphone running Android.  Android updates and syncs in the background running up data use.  You can go into each program and check the settings, turning off auto-update or auto-sync.  You can go into the phone settings, wireless networks and turn off mobile data (the phone may still use some data as some programs bypass this setting). 

You can download My Data Manager free from the market (over wi-fi if available) and it should show you what's causing data use.

[JFizDaWiz]

No app bypasses disabling internet. If its disabled its disabled.

[lungfruit]

I recently upgraded to an AT&T Avail and now I am being charged many times a day for GPRS.  This will occur even if I'm using my home WiFi.  Usually the transactions are only a few cents, but some have been $2-4 dollars.  Here's what didn't work; turning off all syncing and trying the app My Data Manager.  I also never signed up for a data plan so I don't know if that makes a difference.

[lungfruit]

I was finally able to speak to someone at AT&T and she told me that to avoid these charges I have to uncheck "Data enabled" in the Mobile Network Settings.  But if I do it also disables the ability to receive texts.  I guess I'll have to live with the charges, because I need the ability to receive texts.

BTW the person I spoke to was very helpful and actually called me back when we got disconnected.

[La-La]

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JFizDaWiz wrote:
No app bypasses disabling internet. If its disabled its disabled.

---

I've not had an issue with data being used while internet is disabled, just going by what I've read regarding turning off background data:   "Some applications may still use the background data connection". 

I realize that's with internet enabled, just wanted to put it out there.

Regardless, good to know.

Thanks for the clarification.

[jamileh]

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lungfruit wrote:

I was finally able to speak to someone at AT&T and she told me that to avoid these charges I have to uncheck "Data enabled" in the Mobile Network Settings.  But if I do it also disables the ability to receive texts.  I guess I'll have to live with the charges, because I need the ability to receive texts.

BTW the person I spoke to was very helpful and actually called me back when we got disconnected.

---

I'm glad you were able to get an answer to your question and that you had a good experience with the representative you spoke with. 

[imstef]

Turning off data will not disable text just mms and im's. Text messages are sent over the voice side of the network, not data

[lungfruit]

Thanks Stef....I'm going to try it.

[lungfruit]

Thanks Stef...you were right!  Texting works fine and no charges since disabling data.  Thanks again!

[lungfruit]

24 hours and no data charges!