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Charged for Fido Roaming due to outgoing SMS that I can't find

vlasmarias
I'm a contributor level 1
I'm a contributor level 1

In my last bill, my phone was charged with Fido Roam. I checked the bill and there was no mention of me roaming on either the Data or the call logs. When I contacted Fido support, they mentioned that it was due to me sending SMS while in Japan. They provided me with the exact time of 6.54 am EST on Dec 22nd. I definitely have not sent any text messages while in Japan. My iPhone's text message logs confirm that - the only thing I got that time was the Fido welcome text message. I asked Fido support to let me know which phone I supposedly tried to send a text message to, and they said that due to privacy reasons, they are not able to do that. So I'm stuck. 

10 REPLIES 10

Cawtau
Senior MVP Senior MVP
Senior MVP

Hello Vlasmarias,

 

  Is this issue related to the one you posted here?

 

Cheers


vlasmarias
I'm a contributor level 1
I'm a contributor level 1

No, I don't think it's relatedy, Cawtau. For that one, we definitely knew we used Data when we opened browsers. For this one, Fido Support provided me the exact time I supposedly sent a tet message, and there's no outgoing or even incoming message within an hour of that time. The only text message on my phone was the obligatory "welcome to Fido Roaming" text message. What would be really helpful is if Fido provided me the phone number that I supposedly texted, but they said they're not able to due to privacy reasons. I don't understand why they can't provide it as it's my account. So I'm now stuck with just having to accept what they said that I supposedly did?

Hello again,

 

  Thank you for the additional information. Firstly, I was able to confirm that merely receiving that Welcom message does not incur roaming fees (see here).

 

  That said, I understand your charges were apparently for a sent text message. I cannot speak as to what usage occurred on your account. I understand it is frustrating being charged for something you cannot verify. However, the only way usage can be recorded on the system is through your SIM card. It isn't possible to use services without the SIM card.

 

  I understand you were wanting to know the number to which the text message was sent. Unfortunately, I don't think that information is kept on the system. Text messages are only transiently on the system. Once a message is delivered, it is removed from the system. If a recipient device is not able to receive the message, it will stay on the system for only a few days. After a couple of delivery attempts, if the recipient device is still unreachable, the undelivered messages will also be removed from the system. The only record would be that a text message pass through the system.

 

 Hope this helps 😀

 

Cheers

 


vlasmarias
I'm a contributor level 1
I'm a contributor level 1

I'm 100% sure that information is stored in the system for a long time. I actually have Jasper portal control access to my company's sim cards with Rogers, Telus, and AT&T. I know for a fact that SMS sent from the phone are stored on the server side for a very long time. Btw, this is how governments are able to petition carriers to retrieve a particular person's SMS communication. 

BobC83
I'm helpful level 1
I'm helpful level 1

I agree, this sounds like nonsense. I know for a fact, having made similar objections myself, that Fido can and does retain communication logs. One thing I would do is get the IMEI off your phone, call Fido back and ask them from which IMEI they show the message as being sent. If the numbers don't match, then your phone could not have sent the message.

 

It's possible that your iPhone sent an automatic response to an incoming text message - like a read receipt or emoji reaction - that might have registered as an outgoing text message. Your iPhone should also have settings to control and/or disable data, texts and calls when roaming. Double check those settings to see whether your phone is doing anything behind your back.

vlasmarias
I'm a contributor level 1
I'm a contributor level 1

I checked all the outgoing SMS logs, and there was nothing sent. If Fido can let me know which number I supposedly texted, I can reach out to that number and check what they received during that time. But so far, Fido Live Chat refuses to give me the phone number.

FidoSaad
Former Moderator
Former Moderator

Hey @vlasmarias

 

Welcome to the Community.

 

To clarify a few things, though @BobC83 is correct in saying that we can track communications, we actually do so using your Fido SIM card and not your phone's IMEI. For example, if you used your Fido SIM in another device while travelling, we'd still have the history of SMS, calls and data, even if your usage history is not available on your personal device.

 

What you need to know about your Fido service is that when you cross a border, an SMS and email notification will be sent to you. This notification will inform you of the available rates at your destination, include a link to our roaming coverage, and a contact number to reach our customer support. These details are linked in @Cawtau's solution Smiley

 

On our end, we will only charge you if there is usage made while roaming using your Fido SIM card. That is the only way we can track a communication to your device. Billed usage are calls (incoming and outgoing), sent texts (incoming are free), and mobile data.

 

In regard to your SMS request, I'm sorry to hear that we did not share the outgoing number texted. We can confirm that text message content cannot be provided, but we can disclose the number texted as long as it's a cellular number. Those records are kept for 90 days and no court order is required. Please contact us at these channels and we'll be happy to look into it.

 

Hope this helps!



vlasmarias
I'm a contributor level 1
I'm a contributor level 1

I took a look at the link you provided, and I already tried contacting LiveChat, and they wouldn't give the number to me. Should I do Facebook Messenger instead? I'd rather not phone and be stuck for an hour.

BobC83
I'm helpful level 1
I'm helpful level 1

Again, my experience differs having successfully disputed a charge with Fido citing my IMEI.

 

I'm not accusing FidoSaad of being wrong or deceptive, but if Rogers/Fido doesn't track the IMEI, then it's one of the only carriers that doesn't: https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/blog/20161208/ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/on-call-how-does-my-carrier-know-which-phone-im-using/

 

Having said that, those articles are a few years old, and it's possible that carriers tracked the IMEI then but not now. I personally find that extremely unlikely, especially when Rogers needs to determine whether you're using a stolen phone: https://www.rogers.com/support/mobility/bring-your-own-device#2.-ensure-that-the-phone-is-not-reported-on-the-blacklist .

 

If Fido is not tracking the IMEI, then it should, since your SIM can be spoofed or cloned: https://www.techjunkie.com/how-to-clone-cell-phone/

Hello again,

 

  Since those are business SIM cards to which you refer, they might have additional services, such as retaining message contents. However, that is not necessarily the case with personal services. I assumed you referred to your individual account as I do not believe Fido offers business plans.

 

  I don't think the mobile providers are required to keep the contents of text messages. For example, the graphic shown here shows the majority of US mobile providers do not retain the contents of text messages. That notion is supported by:

Text messages.jpg

~taken from here.

 

  I understand both of those references are a little dated. This article on Cellphone privacy laws also notes:

Text messages2.jpg

 

  I also understand those references are related to the United States. While it's true different Countries may have different regulations, it seems as though many Canadian cellular providers also do not keep the contents of text messages:

Text messages3.jpg

~taken from here.

 

  I further understand that ruling is also dated. However, I am not aware of any more recent ruling compelling mobile providers to actually keep the contents of text messages. I suspect privacy could be an issue.

 

  While business services might keep the contents of text messages for an extended period of time, it does not appear the same holds true for personal services.

 

Hope this helps 😀

 

Cheers