Our cell phone was stolen while we were in South Africa. We did not realize we had the phone in our possession being an item of no use (so we thought). We traveled with a tour in SA for 20 days. On September 29 we left Cape Town for Johannesburg/Victoria Falls. The use of the phone in SA started on that date, there were 56 calls, 53 to the same number for $415.83. Use continued every day, the next day 186 calls, 163 to the same number, cost $1,665.81. By October 9 a total of 2,373 calls were made, total $23,572.83 plus tax $3,489.65.
We returned to Chicago on October 1. Obtaining our car, we looked for the cell phone thinking my wife left it in our car (a usual depository). Using my phone which was in the car I dialed the missing phone and the voice message was "the person you are trying to reach is not accepting calls at this time". My wife usually has her phone turned off so somewhat assured the phone was misplaced and not in use we continued home to Kentucky. During the following 3 weeks, looking for the phone I dialed the number several times and always receive the same response. We continued to believe the phone was misplaced somewhere.
We have had this particular phone since February 2006. The monthly bill has never exceeded $37.00. A trememdous shock to receive a bill for $27,062.48.
I do not understand why AT&T did not disconnect that phone on September 29, 56 calls, $415.83 in South Africa, which has a notorious reputation for theft, and the customer lives in Kentucky and never had a bill over $37.00. Surely an alarm should have been triggered when such an abnormality occurred.
We believe AT&T has some responsibility.
Robert Lundquist
101 Persimmon PL
Cadiz KY
270 924 0326
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