Used to be your phone would just ring, but now it's cool to have Britney or Kayne alert you to a call. You can get these ring tones from sites all over the internet; many claim to be "free." But our investigation found after you punch in your phone number you could end up singing the blues.
Sutton Allain, Downloaded Ringtone"I was furious."
Sutton Elaine of Dudley downloaded the Ohio State fight song online for 99 cents, but when she got her cell bill a few months later, she noticed a "data charge" of $9.99 each month! Her cell provider explained, that one time ring tone download actually enrolled her in pay per month club.
Sutton Allain, Downloaded Ringtone"I totally feel I was tricked and misled."
And it's not just ring tones; we found websites offering wallpaper, horoscopes, video game advice. When you enter your phone number they may be advertised as "free" but they actually come with extra fees –often hidden in the terms and conditions.
Those fees are put on your cell phone bill, disguised as things like "data charge" or "third party downloadable content". Experts call that cramming.
Bill McCollum, Florida Attorney General"This is wrong … it's misleading and there are a lot of other problems with it."
Ann Thereiault of Webster took a free online IQ test. To get the results, she had to enter her cell phone number. She never got her score, but instead got charged a 9.99 "premium text messaging" fee on her cell bill.
Ann Theriault, Took IQ Test "Well I think it's just awful."
In Florida, the Attorney General took action against several cell phone and online ringtone companies after getting flooded with consumer cramming complaints. He got millions of dollars in refunds for consumers.
Bill McCollum, Florida Attorney General"You have to realize that you are paying for something that you really shouldn't be paying for or didn't know you were paying for it then you're a victim of it."
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWSIf you download, always read all the terms first and If you have questions about fees on your statement call your cell phone provider, that's the best way to figure out what you were billed for and who to contact if you feel you're being unfairly charged. In the newsroom, I'm Hank Phillippi Ryan.
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