So I noticed my cell bill is running a little higher than usual again.  Once before the kids used texts to send ring tones pictures and it caused a significant spike in data use, so we shut down all data on their phone but retained text messaging.  

About 2 months ago we intercepted a bill that was $90 higher - kids found short code applications aka "text some  BS to 5 digit number".

"Oh its free" was their response...BS.  Each subscription cost 10-20 bucks a month and doesn't stop until you text stop to those 5 digit numbers.  We sat done and wiped them all out and now there are more.  Today, I am pissed.  I look at the bill and my family's explanation is that they must have sold the kid's call numbers to these other companies or they changed their names.  You have got to be shitting me?  I think wife is trying to protect the kids because tossing money into the air on worthless shit like that gets me red hot.  

So my question to the experts in the cell phone know... can one of these companies subscribe you without your permission or without direct contact from you requesting/texting for their service?  Since they bill your phone carrier, I would think not.  Any good links on the said subject?  I told them next time they were getting the shittiest track phone I could find.

Thanks

Most of use survived growing up without cell phones at all.



Just sayin'.



I would put them on the most basic "phone calls only" plan with no text or data of any kind.

The third time my daughter went over her allotment I cancelled the contract. I then told her that if she wanted a phone she could pay for it. .For the record she was 18 at the time. Also, she is now almost 20 and she still doesn't have a phone.

They txted one of the ringtone / joke a day / hot chick services you see on late night.

The billing will continue.

I don't think that's possible. The phone will always be able to do it and the carrier wants you to do it so they can hose you when you do it for not having a plan.

How old are kids?  That would determine if they should have a cell phone in the first place.

It probably depends on your company.  I'm with Verizon and I have texting turned off on my account.

Or get them a cell phone for 9 year olds.  They only dial home and 911.  That's it.



 

So am I.

Your phone flat out won't send / receive text messages?

You mean disable texting.  If not, when they do text it's going to cost you up the ass.



 

To answer OP's question.

As far as I know, NO. It's more likely than not they are still fooling around with the TXT/SMS.

Short answer: Probably. Unless you have 100 % control of access to  the account,  It's the only way to insure these "free sevices" aren't being accessed. The devil is in the fine  details of the service contracts of these services and websites. They hide it under lots of shiny boondaggle and unless your reading It,  You'll never know.

There's no  such thing as a free meal.

Yes, that's correct. Make it so they simply cannot use any features other than voice calls.



 

Kids are 14 and 16.  Seems as though responsibility these days are not a strong point.   I guess I am more disappointed that we have discussed this before and that they (kids and wife) about "oh, no-one did that, it just happens".  At least I have a new excuse when packages come from the big brown truck now.

Short answer: Probably. Unless you have 100 % control of access to  the account,  It's the only way to insure these "free sevices" aren't being accessed. The devil is in the fine  details of the service contracts of these services and websites. They hide it under lots of shiny boondaggle and unless your reading It,  You'll never know.

There's no  such thing as a free meal.

Abusing the phone = no more phone.

Or, you could just let your kids run wild.  That's what most people do.

I'm not a parent, but I've seen kids very young go ballistic with texting. Especially these days with the problem of children "sexting".

I'd vote for cutting out cell phones all together. Many of us grew up without it, and I have to think that it's a good thing I did.

Its your kids, not the mobile companies fault.  Your carrier should have some sort of content block.  Who is the carrier by the way?  Your lucky it was only $90.00.  Some of the third party content providers have programs that charge $.99 per message.  Its a ripp off aimed at children with phones because your kid thinks its cool to text through the program, then you get ass raped on your bill and blame the carrier.  These commercials are all over the Disney and Nick channels.  "Text 12345 for cool ring tones".  Then in the fine print it says must be 18 or older and it cost $9.99 a month and $2.99 for each ring tone.

 

Yes they can and they don't care...Most of the companies at out of the country and don't follow any type of law...They really don't care...Once your kid texts them...They go to town and don't stop.

Try texting the numbers that are billing you and text STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, END...Sometimes this will work or your provider can sometime block them.

Not much you can do.  I had a girlfriend  get sold a "discount calling plan"  that she was assured would be free unless she used it. Unfortunately it was at my fucking house.  The phone company charged me and when I told them I never signed up they said too bad, someone at my house said OK.  I got rid of my land line after that.  In your case, the kids went out of their way for this so they really fucked up.  I would just make them keep paying until they get the service canceled.  Make stupid hurt and they won't be so stupid.

I have all sorts of manual labor lined up for them in the wonderful humid summer heat.  Sarcastic Yea for the bill though.  I appreciate the responses...still mad, but not that kind of mad where I end up on the 6o'clock news mad.

How about a minutes only prepaid phone?  No texting available and if they run out of minutes for the month - oh well.  Teaches some responsibility and budgeting.

That's your job, Dad. Make it painful to be irresponsible.

 

Yeh, I know about it being my part.  They are good kids, fairly naive, get really good grades in school and shoot very well.  Its crackdown time in the danos house.  Phones have been confiscated.  They will have to earn cell use and text msging will be off too.

Shitty track phone from Wal Mart.  No text.  Nothing.  Just phone.

and make them pay for it