International Day Pass Erroneous Billing

Turning data roaming off only turns data off.  Cell connection for voice and text, as well as background tasks that still ping towers, are still active, and count as using a foreign data connection.  The way to make sure that all cellular connection is completely disabled is to put the phone in airplane mode, and then just turn WiFi (and Bluetooth if you need to) back on.  If all you’re doing is flipping the data roaming toggle off, you aren’t doing it right.

Also, the IDP is $10/day, capped at $100 PER BILLING PERIOD.  If your IDP usage goes past the end of the billing period, it resets for the next billing period.

My question with this is: IF you didn't use any data/calls/texts while in the other country on cellular, then how does AT&T know you were there?

Keep in mind, getting phone calls (I don't think they need to be answered) or sending texts can trigger IDP, right?  Turning data off isn't going to help that.

I've also seen some posts mention something about some phones leaking data even when off (not sure which phones or OS that might be), but if your phone is misconfigured wrong (by the manufacturer, not you) and it's using data, then to AT&T you are using data.

Good question on how AT&T knows.  I am guessing when I switch on the phone, they know?  I am not sure.  As for calls received, I may have gotten 3 calls during that time period of 12 or 14 days that I didn't receive.

From an end user perspective though, it is weird to get a $140-00 bill ($10-00 per day for 14 days, I think) without having used it.

@nagiah388338  Check your phone's cellular usage settings before you leave the house tomorrow, and don't use your phone for 4 hours and check the settings again then.

YOU may have not used anything, but your phone is doing all sorts of stuff in the background.

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@nagiah388338 

I am not confident that the people you spoke with knew what they were talking about, but the fact is when your phone connects to a foreign service provider and uses service you will get charged. You should be able to look at your phone's usage, as well as your next bill to see what exactly you were charged for while you were out of the United States. And apparently over more than one bill cycle as well because billing is capped at 10 charges per bill cycle per phone. First phone is charged $10 per day any second phone on the same account using service is charged at half price for the same 10 charge cap.

I assume you were using an iPhone with a local SIM, you should have turned your AT&T SIM off in order not to incur charges ⤵️