BT Mobile - High data bill. Feels like a scam

Mc100_2

Hi all. I recently received a bill for over £700.00 for a month. Usually my bill is between £25 - £30. They have already taken the money by direct debit.

After telephoning BT I was told this was due to the data charges. Basically I get 2gb of data with my package and I went over by about 1gb. I have checked on their website and it does state that the charges for going over on data is £0.50 per mb. Stupidly when I read that I don't actually take into account that with vat that equates to £600.00 per 1gb of data.
Every where else on the webpage it refers to any charges in Gigabytes.

Had I of called them before I reached the 2gb limit I could of purchased an extra 1gb of data for £7.50 plus vat.

I am a small business and really can't afford to pay such a bill but do not know what to do.

When I called BT they said it would be investigated and somebody would be in touch with me within 10 days. More than 10 days has passed and I have heard nothing. I have now spoke to them again and have been told they have no reference on their system regards my previous phonecall and that it should have been dealt with at that point and any investigation never offered. I was told I received a text to let me know I had reached my data limit. I feel that as they have my money already they are not willing to discuss the matter.

I have vever been told that I will be charged £600.00 per gb of extra data and nor did the text message I receive tell me that either. Did it state £0.50 per mb of data on their website when I started my contract 6 months ago? Who knows?

I really feel I have been scammed and cannot beleive a company like BT do this!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

boliston

Did they notify you of the charge prior to taking the £700+ DD - I'm sure they have to give a set number of days notice before they can simply take the money?

dealer_wins

Its not a scam, but a rip-off.

A good letter of complaint hinting you will take it further may well get them to waive or reduce this charge. And put a cap in place either with BT or an app so that you never go over again.

Mc100_2

Thanks for the replies.

I did receive a bill prior to them taking the money but unfortunately while I was on holiday.

I contemplated a letter to them but feel I may be wasting my time as when I checked recently it does state £0.50 per mb if you go over your allowance.

I originally set up this contract over the phone and do not recall receiving any terms and conditions with these charges on, but I may be wrong.

corf999

Both my bt mobile accounts came pre-configured with a £100 cap - of which I changed to £5.

Did you remove the cap?

boliston

could the 50p per mb be classed as a "penalty" rather than a charge as the usual cost is on averge 1p per mb in the uk?

could they charge £5 or £50 per mb and still be able to insist it is paid if they put it in the small print?

Mc100_2

Not sure about whether I removed the cap or not.

I did call them to remove the roaming restrictions and content restrictions. I don't recall data being mentioned as i have never previously reached the included 2gb.

Mc100_2

I guess they can charge what they like by the sounds of things.

I can't quite understand when I have signed up to a two year contract with them why there are two different ways of charging me for the data. If I don't call them and buy the data first they charge £600 per gb instead of £9.00 per gb.

I am not on pay and go so why do I have to purchase the data prior?

chanz4

Call their complaints, be nice and ask for them to retrospective upgrade