Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless

Complaint against Cingular Wireless billing practices for roaming charges

This is in regard to a charge of $1651.84 on my cell phone statement from Cingular dated February 28, 2005, in which $1514.72 is roaming charges. The plan I purchased has free long distance and free roaming included. My daughter, an Ensign in the United States Coast Guard, a US citizen, active duty military personnel, has just been relocated for the fourth time due to homeland security implementations. She is now stationed at the United States Coast Guard MSO Base in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, in the Upper Peninsula on the Canadian border, for the next four years. We left Maryland and arrived in Sault Ste. Marie on January 7, 2005 and I left her my Cingular cell phone as she was in snow country, for safety reasons, since she did not a place to live, a land line, and did not know her way around. She has returned my phone to me in Maryland as of February 11, 2005. On February 10, I received my cell phone bill for $1651.84 in which $1514.72 was roaming charges. I called Cingular that same day and was told that the calls originated in Canada and I would have to pay the roaming charges. I explained that my daughter was in the Coast Guard and was stationed in the Upper Peninsula, in the United States and was NOT in Canada. I was then told that the calls are passed through the strongest tower, even if it is across the border. I was told that an investigation would be in order. I was also told that Cingular has agreements with some Canadian areas holding towers. I had not idea this would be an issue. I was not contacted by anyone at Cingular nor was there any indication on my Nokia phone that these would be considered International calls. I have made numberous calls to Cingular and they will not waive the charges. This is a one time charge as the phone is no longer in MI. There are numberous members of the MSO in Sault Ste. Marie, MI that are having this same problem with Cingular. Please can you help me with this issue. You have my full permission to forward our message to anyone or anyplace that you think may be able to help us with this problem. Dale C Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: Email User Consumer