
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
Consumers Union this week announced its support for Sen. Tom Udall’s bill that would require cell phone companies to let customers know—via text message or e-mail—when they’re close to hitting their limit.
According to a recent Federal Communications Commission survey, 30 million Americans have experienced “bill shock,” and most said their cell phone carrier didn’t warn them when they were about to exceed their limits.
Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, covered the problem in its Sept. 2010 issue, recommending that customers do five things to protect themselves from bill shock:
- Ask for an exception or a discount when you get an eye-popping bill.
- Keep track of your minutes before it becomes a problem.
- Sign up for overage alerts if your company offers them.
- Change your plan if you need more minutes, data or text messages.
- Consider a pre-paid plan if you keep getting shocked.