Sky Mobile Roaming rip-off

PeterHorner55 · 28 October 2019 at 6:49PM

I have just returned from the Dominican Republic, and Sky Mobile have charged me for a phone call I didn't make (£19.44) and four incoming calls that I didn't answer (£1.80) each. Three of the incoming calls didn't even reach my phone, and the outgoing call isn't on my log either. All plus VAT. Apparently it doesn't matter that I didn't answer them - as long as they appear on their computer as having connected (even though three of the incoming calls don't show on my call log) I still get charged.

Steer clear of Sky Mobile - it's tantamount to theft.

worried_jim · 28 October 2019 at 6:55PM

I'm sure millions of their customers are switching right now.

Frozen_up_north · 28 October 2019 at 7:47PM

OP why didn’t you (a) check costs before going, (b) turn off roaming and use bar/hotel WiFi to keep in touch via WhatsApp/Skype, etc?

PeterHorner55 · 28 October 2019 at 8:27PM

It seems turning off roaming is the only option. If somebody calls you, but you don't answer, sometimes they will charge you for a minute (£1.80), but sometimes they don't. Never been charged for "receiving" a call before unless I have answered. And I have been charged for three calls that didn't even get through to my phone, but not charged for 12 that did - try working that out! I did check their tariff guide and assumed that "Received" meant I answered the call. I also got charged for ringing two UK mobile numbers simultaneously while the phone was in my wife's handbag. One of them shows on the call log to a spammer who had recently called me, the other doesn't and is to a mobile number that isn't in use. - no idea how that can happen.

Frozen_up_north · 28 October 2019 at 11:06PM

Places like the Dominican Republic would charge me, on the Three network, £2/min for calls to the UK, £1.25/min to receive a call. Takes a minute to find the costs.

PeterHorner55 · 28 October 2019 at 11:48PM

I knew the costs, checked them and decided we would only answer calls if one of our relatives was calling (ie an emergency). Turns out they charge even if you don't answer. Used Whatsapp and Facetime as the hotel WiFi was good. The outgoing call we got charged for is a mystery - smartphone must have made the call by something in contact with the touchscreen while it was in a bag/pocket. Definitely not a call we made deliberately.