30 Million Americans Shocked When Opening Mobile Phone Bills: FCC

From CRN: Consumers surprised by their mobile phone fees should not feel alone, as one of every six mobile users has experienced “bill shock,” according to a survey by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC said the survey could be a wake-up call to consumers to carefully scrutinize their mobile phone contracts before signing, and offered tips on ways to keep from being surprised.

The FCC on Wednesday estimated that 30 million Americans experienced bill shock, or a surprise sudden increase in their mobile phone bill unrelated to changing service plans.

The findings were based on a survey of 3,005 U.S. adults taken late last month.

The FCC found that over a third of consumers who experienced bill shock found increases of at least $50, while 23 percent reported increases of $100 or more.

About 84 percent of those consumers reporting bill shock said their mobile carrier did not contact them when they were about to exceed the number of minutes, text message, or downloads allowed by their plans, while 88 percent said their carriers did not contact them after a sudden increase in their bills.

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