Hello Famille,
Welcome to the community!
Sorry to hear you've received some unexpected charges on your bill. It's unfortunate that you did not understand how calling toll-free phone numbers using mobile devices works.
@famille wrote:
... misleads the public in the definition of a FREE 800 number and what it entails!...
1-800 numbers are not free per se. Toll-free numbers simply means that there are no long distance charges associated with the calls. Airtime will always apply when calling any phone number from a mobile device, including toll-free numbers. It's the same with any of the mobile providers. That's why it's specified that toll-free numbers are free of charges from a landline (see here, here, here, and here etc). In fact, that first link even notes:
You may be charged for a toll free call from your mobile phone unless you have unlimited minutes in your plan
The only way to not incur airtime charges is to call them from landlines. If you exceeded your allotment of minutes, any excess minutes used would be charged extra.
It should also be noted that toll-free numbers may not be free of long-distance charges from everywhere (see here). In addition, they are also likely not free of long-distance charges if called from abroad (see first link above and elsewhere).
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
