As far back as 2008 some Verizon Wireless customers began noticing a mysterious $1.99 data charge which would appear on their bill without the customer having done anything to initiate data services. Enough complaints began to service in 2009 that The Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an article on the charge and the FCC began to investigate.

Verizon Wireless at first placed blame on consumers accidently pressing the data connect button on their key pads. Verizon Wireless had set it up so it was very easy for consumers to connect to the interest by accidently pressing a key on their key pads and with that simple act consumers incurred the $1.99 charge each time the button was accidently pressed. Verizon Wireless at the time promised to credit consumers as they complained about the charge and would adjust the data connect button so consumers would not incur the charge merely for pressing a button.

At first it seemed the issue was fixed, but consumers continued to incur charges. With an investigation continuing at the FCC, Verizon Wireless has finally admitted that the problem was not caused by consumers pressing a button, rather it was a software design flaw that caused phones to automatically connect to data services without any action by consumers. Verizon Wireless has promised to credit back consumers to the tune of an estimated $90 million dollars.

If there is one take away here it is that it is not only important for consumers to monitor their bills for unusual charges, but to also report those unauthorized charges to a group of agency such as the Federal Communications Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, or us here at UCAN even if customer service gives you a quick refund the first time you call.

By reporting the unauthorized charge, these agencies or groups can monitor what consumers are complaining about most and take steps to investigate what may be a systematic error such as this one. It will not only save you time as a consumer from having to continuously call Verizon Wireless about this recurring error, but you will also help your fellow consumer receive a refund for an unauthorized charge you may have overlooked.

So excellent job consumers your persistence in identifying this charge pushed Verizon Wireless into actually determining the cause of the unauthorized charge and credit consumers for their mistake rather than be allowed to pocket an extra $90 million dollars it did not deserve.