Costly incoming text messages - violation of the wireless code?
I'll admit that I haven't read the terms of the full wireless code, however E. 4. of the simplified version of the wireless code states "A service provider must not charge for any device or service that the account holder or authorized user has not expressly purchased".
I bought a Bell sim card and ported a number to it. I needed the sim/number to be able to receive an important phone call. I didn't know when or how long it was going to take to get that call, but I knew that I didn't need the number for anything else so I was looking for the most basic/affordable plan. The cheapest plan was their $5 plan with 10 minutes of airtime and then it becomes pay per use at 50 cents per text, picture, or video messages, and 50 cents per each additional minute of airtime. You are not able to load $5 into the account, the minimum reload amount is $15, so I deposited $15 and signed up for the $5 plan. I inserted the sim card into an old iPhone 6 and left it connected to a charger on a desk in my home with the wifi connection enabled. Over the course of the next 3-4 days I periodically woke the phones display to check for missed calls. I also called the phone while I was in proximity of it just to make sure it was still registered on the Bell network/ready to receive an incoming call. When I heard the phone ring I would hang up. The iPhone call history shows 3 missed calls originating from the number that I called from. I also received an incoming call on Whatsapp that lasted 4 minutes. On the 5th day I called the number to ensure it was registered to the Bell network and ready to receive an incoming call but I was met with a prerecorded message from Bell saying the line was not equipped to receive calls. I logged into the Bell portal and it indicated that the 10 minutes of call time had been used and the remaining $10 balance in the prepaid account had been used on pay as you go services. The portal does not provide a history or call log of any activity, presumably because it's a "no frills" kind of Bell account. I called in to Customer Service to inquire about the usage and they advised that the minutes had been used and the $10 was also used on text messaging. I checked the messages app on the iPhone and I counted a total of 6 messages, 2 incoming messages from Bell that were sent on the day the number was ported, and 4 incoming messages from unknown senders.
I had no idea Bell or any carrier for that matter still charged for incoming text messages and this was not explicitly noted anywhere on their forms or during the signup process. Is this a violation of the wireless code? What prevents Bell or anyone else from using up a someones balance on incoming text messages? I asked Bell for a detailed report showing all of the usage that led to the charges on the account and they told me that they weren't able to provide me with anything, however I was welcome to visit a Bell store and request a printout of the history.
Is this a violation of the wireless code? If not, does anyone have a list of currently active prepaid users on the Bell network?
I bought a Bell sim card and ported a number to it. I needed the sim/number to be able to receive an important phone call. I didn't know when or how long it was going to take to get that call, but I knew that I didn't need the number for anything else so I was looking for the most basic/affordable plan. The cheapest plan was their $5 plan with 10 minutes of airtime and then it becomes pay per use at 50 cents per text, picture, or video messages, and 50 cents per each additional minute of airtime. You are not able to load $5 into the account, the minimum reload amount is $15, so I deposited $15 and signed up for the $5 plan. I inserted the sim card into an old iPhone 6 and left it connected to a charger on a desk in my home with the wifi connection enabled. Over the course of the next 3-4 days I periodically woke the phones display to check for missed calls. I also called the phone while I was in proximity of it just to make sure it was still registered on the Bell network/ready to receive an incoming call. When I heard the phone ring I would hang up. The iPhone call history shows 3 missed calls originating from the number that I called from. I also received an incoming call on Whatsapp that lasted 4 minutes. On the 5th day I called the number to ensure it was registered to the Bell network and ready to receive an incoming call but I was met with a prerecorded message from Bell saying the line was not equipped to receive calls. I logged into the Bell portal and it indicated that the 10 minutes of call time had been used and the remaining $10 balance in the prepaid account had been used on pay as you go services. The portal does not provide a history or call log of any activity, presumably because it's a "no frills" kind of Bell account. I called in to Customer Service to inquire about the usage and they advised that the minutes had been used and the $10 was also used on text messaging. I checked the messages app on the iPhone and I counted a total of 6 messages, 2 incoming messages from Bell that were sent on the day the number was ported, and 4 incoming messages from unknown senders.
I had no idea Bell or any carrier for that matter still charged for incoming text messages and this was not explicitly noted anywhere on their forms or during the signup process. Is this a violation of the wireless code? What prevents Bell or anyone else from using up a someones balance on incoming text messages? I asked Bell for a detailed report showing all of the usage that led to the charges on the account and they told me that they weren't able to provide me with anything, however I was welcome to visit a Bell store and request a printout of the history.
Is this a violation of the wireless code? If not, does anyone have a list of currently active prepaid users on the Bell network?
The name is pronounced El‧u‧àr‧do. I am the ultimate deal hunter, y'all just gatherers. I was the first openly black man to get a Costco membership.
