Re:Disgusted (Score 1)

Actually, the reason they don't warn people about excessive usage is because they don't know about it. It's the way their billing systems are designed. Telco usage is gathered throughout the month from multiple places, including many vendors. A vendor is any data network, be it ATT, L3, or, in this example, the Canadian tower owner that was carrying this usage. This usage is compiled into a database, and at the close of your bill cycle, is counted, rated to your price plan, summed, taxed, and billed. No telco (as far as i know) keeps a running tab of your charges, though I don't actually work for ATT mobility. It would be a huge issue to attempt to do so for all 100 million phones out there. I personally would not be willing to spend additional money each month for that service, when I can instead just monitor my usage. If I go to a foreign country where I'm billed per minute (or apparently per KB) I know to not use too much. I feel bad that this guy didn't know to not do that, but we can't always expect to have our hands held, as has been stated in several other comments. So, to summarize, no, ATT didn't notify him. They probably didn't know themselves till it was over. The Canadian company wants their money (they bill ATT for usage, often at MORE than the telco charges individuals). Should ATT not even TRY to collect what's owed them? But it's easier to blame the company, I understand, and frankly often do it myself. By the way, you may have guessed... I work in Telecommunications billing, so I have some knowledge in this matter. ATT was probably as shocked as the customer was when that bill went out. No company likes to do that, they know it will cause customers to be unhappy. If he works with the company, they may settle for a smaller amount, if he is polite and works with them.