These sneaky cell phone apps
Yesterday I noticed that my cell phone bill was higher than usual by about ten dollars, and so I called the company. It turned out that a fee for downloading some app had been charged to my account.
The person I spoke to was not allowed to tell me which app it was, and then helpfully offered to expunge the ten dollar charge and put a one cent purchase limit on my account so it wouldn’t happen again. In the future I would have to plug in my credit card information to actually pay for any app that tried to sneak in, which should limit the downloads to those I actually want.
I’ve noticed that sometimes my phone will just be sitting on the counter, supposedly minding its own business, and I’ll see some activity going on. Most of the time I’ve been able to grab the phone and somehow stop the unwanted download, but apparently this time I didn’t catch it in time and it succeeded in invading my phone and charging itself to my account.
It’s all about those apps that come pre-loaded on phones. Apparently not only do Androids have them, but iPhones have them too, just a different set of them. This site refers to the apps as “crapware,” which I guess is as good a name as any, and it tells you how to disable them in some way.
This stuff gives me a headache.
I finally gave up on Verizon when somebody bought two iPhones plus accessories on my account. I saw the email announcing my bill and it was over $900. My usual bill was about $200 so I noticed it immediately.
To make a long (and sad) story short, I ended up switching to Sprint and threatening to sue Verizon in small claims. It was hours of anger and frustration but the good news is my Sprint bill is about $60. a month. After 6 months, Verizon finally refunded the stolen money. I have suspected all along it was an inside job.
Thank you for this tidbit. I also just noticed a $10 increase in my monthly mobile charge, but I’d not researched it yet.
I have a flip phone and absolutely no interest in having a ‘smart’ phone. My Verison bill is 40/month. I can’t relate to using a cell phone to surf the net, email, or watch video. To paraphrase the Kinks, I’m a 21st century man but I don’t want to be here.
Trying to view Tom’s web site caused my computer to crash. Should I expect a $10 charge now?
I can’t relate to using a cell phone to surf the net, email, or watch video.
I use the “Personal hotspot” function if I am somewhere without a wifi connection. I almost never use the browser or read email. Same for videos. I do use the iPhone camera for simple stuff, I’ve had my iphone for 5 years or more. I had to swap mine that malfunctioned as the charge connector corroded.
If you prefer Android, purchase an Android One Phone. Mine is Xiaomi Mi A2 but there are several others.
From Google…
What is Android One? Android One is a Google-devised programme for hardware manufacturers making smartphones. Being part of Android One – and labeled as such on the rear of the phone – brings with it a guarantee that it’s a solid and stable version of Android that’s not loaded with other apps, services, and bloatware.
I’ve always used SmartTalk from Walmart. Once a year I buy a card for about $525 and that takes care of everything. Nobody can charge me more because I don’t get bills from them.
Thanks for the link!
If you buy a new computer they are usually loaded with all sorts of “crapware” that I try to delete.
What Parker said. I have a flip phone to take with me in the car in case I need to call AAA (the old battle wagon is literally old enough to vote, so you never know . . . ) or leave a quick message on a friend’s voice mail, but I don’t have and don’t want a smartphone. I’ve heard too many stories like Neo’s to want to join the crowd.
I would not be able to function socially or at work without a smartphone – if only for the Watsap groups that are now used for official announcements in my township, and similar groups at work.
So the Luddite option is not open to me.
Only my 13 yo son, plus one friend, have old non-smart phones in his class.
It’s not good to deprive teens of “keeping up with their class”. But our son is pretty good about not needed a smart phone, since he does get a couple of hours of computer play each day.
Just got a new phone – transferred from Verizon due to price. I’m going to have to make time this weekend to clean out all the crap apps that the new phone came with. BTW, does anyone else have problems with typing on a phone, or am I the only one with fat fingers?
Another thing you have to watch out for is supposedly “free” apps that, after a grace period of month or so, start sending you monthly bills. Many alert you that they are going to do this, but even so, they count on users forgetting that their app is there, especially ones who got it for a one-time specific purpose. Check under “subscriptions” to see if that stupid app you downloaded years ago that makes a sad trombone sound is charging you 10 dollars a month.
Don’t worry overmuch; just be polite.
Every now and then, lean over you phone, and in a quiet voice but with clear diction say, “Hello, everyone. I hope you’re all having a pleasant day in Shenzhen. Please say ‘hi’ to General Secretary Xi for me.”
* you = your
Where, oh, where is my EDIT option that I used to have?!
R. C.:
I’m hiring someone to do a little fixing-up on the blog soon. Maybe the edit function will return.
T-Mobile had an “old folks” plan a couple of years ago, for new subscribers “of a certain age”. $65 a month for two people, everything included in the one price (including taxes, whatever), forever. Unlimited data, calls, texts, whatever. Auto-pay only. No options. Take it or leave it.
Easy call, that.
We signed up.
Works. So far.
Of course, we’re not at the end of forever yet, so who knows really lol?