Fido
Roaming charges

In March I went on a short holiday to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta. I took my iPhone with me and before leaving purchased an option that would provide cheaper calls. As a precautionary measure, I turned data roaming off before leaving Canada. In addition to having data roaming turned off, the phone was turned off. On two occasions I tried to get onto the hotels free wi fi. A total waste of time, the iPhone wouldn't pick up anything! I turned data off and the phone off and left the phone in my rooms safe deposit box, turned off. Recently Fido have contacted me to inform me that I owe $560.00 for data roaming. The first time I was called I explained that the phone was turned off for almost the total duration of my vacation. The CSR said don't worry Sir we get these complaints all the time, the iPhone tends to pick up data easily. She added that it would be investigated. I have since received more calls and texts from Fido requesting their $560.00 for data downloads while I was away. In simple terms, the iPhone didn't work while in Mexico, so it was left turned off, both data and the phone. During the week I was away, it couldn't have been on for more than 5 minutes and of course it didn't work! I have told Fido that if they persist with this attempt to extort me that I will no longer continue to use their service. Of course I'll be stung for prematurely ending the contract and I don't want a mark against my credit worthiness. However, I will still do it on principle.

Other than approach the Better Business Bureau, which reading other complaints, isn't that effective with Fido, it's difficult to see how to get any sort of justice. The whole data roaming thing is a license to print money, and a lot of it. If you have an iPhone, there aren't too many services you can use in Canada. All useful suggestions welcome.

Company: Fido
Country: Canada
Province: British Columbia

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