Sprint Auto-dialed 411 scam?

**zdaxxy** · 07-21-2010, 10:24 AM

I have the HTC Evo 4G and I was getting charges on a daily basis dialed out to 411. I checked my call log and it showed nothing. I called Sprint CS at 611 who end up telling me "Sorry cant help you" and hung up on me. Called back and was told nothing could be done during the middle of the billing cycle. I was also told they have nothing to do with 411 or the charges (yet they appear on my "Sprint" bill so someone has something to do with it) I was also told the only way I was to get charged for 411 calls was to actually call 411. I talked to a supervisor at 411 and found out that I actually got charged to call 411 to ask to a supervisor!! WTF!!?!? Talked to Sprint 611 again who told me they auto-charge for every time you dial 411 even if you do not connect or talk to anyone or get a number. SO that means they are billing for services non-rendered, again WTF!!?!? I told them to block 411 and they said they can not. I told them I refused to pay for 411 calls I did not make and they told me if I did not pay my bill they would cut my phone off (*****!) I'd like to put rocks in a glove and smack her *** with it. I do not understand how they can get away with theifing my money like that. I might as well send Sprint a bill for items I never mailed to them and them tell them they have to pay it because I have a bill with their name on it!

Anyone else having any false charges showing up on their bill randomly?

**roothog** · 07-21-2010, 10:29 AM

I haven't had this problem on any carrier, but I have a friend who refused to pay a bill due to false charges, and she's been permanently blocked from that carrier. Guess what: the carrier was Sprint.

This should probably be in the Sprint forum, not the EVO forum.

**zdaxxy** · 07-21-2010, 10:36 AM

Someone just told me I could have possible malware that is dialing 411 in the background? If that is so then that affects all Android phones, no matter what the carrier is. Wonder if the other carriers charge for dialed numbers like Sprint does even if you did not actually talk to the operator and get a number processed.

**deparson** · 07-21-2010, 10:36 AM

There in more to this story me thinks

**KSmithInNY** · 07-21-2010, 10:39 AM

This doesn't belong here in the EVO forums, although I can see why you posted it here. Maybe you had a different Sprint phone and weren't having this problem so you think its associated with the EVO.

My suggestion to anyone, on any carrier, is to first try to work with the carrier. If that doesn't work, escalate to executive customer service. Most companies have executive customer service these days and they are really great at resolving disputes compared to regular CSR's. My last, and MOST IMPORTANT TIP is, do not under any circumstances pay the portion of the bill you disagree with. You should absolutely pay the bill .... but only pay for the charges you agree with. The minute you hand over the money, in the eyes of the BBB or any other consumer protection agency, you've agreed you own the charges and they will do little to assist you.

If CSR's, and executive customer service fail, you might consider using the or to assist you. This should be an absolute last resort though as this will get Sprint's lawyers involved quickly.

Hope this helps

**roothog** · 07-21-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by zdaxxy

Someone just told me I could have possible malware that is dialing 411 in the background?

Sure, any app that you installed with the permission to dial out (listed as something like "Things that cost you money" on the permissions screen) could be making these calls. That said, it makes no sense for malware to dial 411, so I consider the malware scenario unlikely. Malware is a business driven by profit. Malware would call a 900 number owned by the malware author so that they make money from the calls. Calling 411 costs you money but generates no revenue for the malware author.

**UTnick** · 07-21-2010, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by KSmithInNY

This doesn't belong here in the EVO forums, although I can see why you posted it here. Maybe you had a different Sprint phone and weren't having this problem so you think its associated with the EVO.

My suggestion to anyone, on any carrier, is to first try to work with the carrier. If that doesn't work, escalate to executive customer service. Most companies have executive customer service these days and they are really great at resolving disputes compared to regular CSR's. My last, and MOST IMPORTANT TIP is, do not under any circumstances pay the portion of the bill you disagree with. You should absolutely pay the bill .... but only pay for the charges you agree with. The minute you hand over the money, in the eyes of the BBB or any other consumer protection agency, you've agreed you own the charges and they will do little to assist you.

If CSR's, and executive customer service fail, you might consider using the or to assist you. This should be an absolute last resort though as this will get Sprint's lawyers involved quickly.

Hope this helps

not entirely true. if you submit payment -- make it clear you do so under protest. that means mail 'em a check and a letter.

**zdaxxy** · 07-21-2010, 10:56 AM

I only have a few apps installed and I do not see dial out listed on any of them for permissions.

Does the HTC EVO have an option to block outbound calls? Restrict what calls can be placed from the handset?

**KSmithInNY** · 07-21-2010, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by UTnick

not entirely true. if you submit payment -- make it clear you do so under protest. that means mail 'em a check and a letter.

I had a dispute with Sprint (they charged me randomly for a cell phone I never ordered but they swear I had the cell) and the FCC advised me to not pay any portion I was disputing. That was like 5 years ago though so a lot has probably changed. That was back in sprints hay day when they would charge anybody for anything with no explanation and their response was "pay or we'll cut off your cell".

**scoobdude** · 07-21-2010, 11:07 AM

Do you have kids? Other phones on the plan although not sure if they show up by number. I would also ask that you list ALL apps here, especially side loaded ones. And last but not least, hard reset your phone and do not install any suspect apps and see if that changes anything.

Another thing to try is run juice plotter or something similar and turn off your phone and see if the calls are still being made as that would be an account hack.

Good luck and keep us posted.

P.s. and while aware is usually set up to make money, this one could be designed just to make people lose money since 900 numbers are blocked. Or it could just be a test to push numbers once a call is made ie 800 numbers you push have to push options on. But not sure those can be charged.

**Holsum** · 07-21-2010, 11:16 AM

Clearly there is more to the story that the OP isnt telling us.

What time were the calls made?
Do you have kids?
Have you let anyone use your phone recently?
What apps do you have?
have you downloaded/sideloaded any porn apps?

This might help us help you!

**PM-Performance** · 07-21-2010, 12:47 PM

On your first post you make mention of calling Spring CS at 611? Does Sprint have 611 as their number? Should be *2!
ATT does have 611 as their short dial option though.

**C01E** · 07-21-2010, 02:07 PM

I say try the Hard reset option first... If anything you seem to have one of two problems, A: Some app you installed is making the calls behind your back. or B: You have something SERIOUSLY messed up with your sprint account...

Only one way to find out and thats the reset...

**dmrdsm** · 07-21-2010, 03:01 PM

Scary! Off to check my phone calls on my bill......

Keep us posted.

**CoryBantic** · 07-21-2010, 03:39 PM

I say, pay your bill sans 411 calls. When Sprint gets the payment and then THEY realize that it's short, they'll notify you and then you can try to explain it to them again. Repeat until solved.

**jenadams4** · 07-30-2010, 10:03 AM

I know this isn't the right forum so I will start another thread...but zdaxxy, I am having the same problem!

I have a Hero and am with Telus in Canada and my bill keeps displaying 411 calls that I didn't make. I am in the process of dealing with escalated customer service but again, I'll post this in a different forum.

Just letting you know that you are not alone! I'm looking for others in my situation because something is going on here. I have no need to cheat Telus and always pay my bills on time. This is a very strange situation with seemingly no resolution other than me buying myself out of my contract or essentially agree that I'm making calls that I'm not making or spend the next 2 years refusing the false charges every month. No win.

**ronald3939** · 08-01-2012, 08:27 PM

Im a 72 yr old newbie to smart phones and typing.
About a week ago , driving ~650 km, my new blackberry storm(i know not android) did a similar thing to me while residing in my pants pocket. 5 auto dialed 411 calls cost me about $15 off my Rogers pay as you go plan. neither rogers or 411people will give me any sympathy. I did see one of the calls in progress while stopped at a restaurant so I do believe they were made by my phone and so I am curious about any info this tread comes up with. thanks for suffering my RANT>

**Illusions** · 08-02-2012, 10:51 AM

I am not sure about blackberry apps, but on Android I would install the following apps to monitor and stop behaviour (you should look for these type of apps for blackberry) - (1) Call confirm - this app will not let the phone make calls unless you confirm that you want to call the number, adds a step that stops unwanted calls; and (2) Appbrain ad detector - this app will list any app installed with permissions so you can quickly review and take action.

Good luck.

**claudinho85** · 02-15-2013, 10:21 AM

this is ridiculous , first time it happened to me 15 calls at 1.99 each now just happened again 32 times at 1.99 each this is definitely a crime.

**extraclass** · 02-17-2013, 08:43 PM

Be sure you do not have 411 on a speed dial number. You could be dialing it accidentally
!

**EmmaSurf** · 02-19-2013, 01:50 AM

I realize this might not be the right place but I think it's relevant. I've had Evo 4G since it was released, and there were times that my phone would make random calls - sometimes "last call dialed" and sometimes random - either from my directory or just a bunch of numbers. Yeah you'd think **** dialing, but we've seen it light up across the room, and dial - even at 3 in the morning. Of course Sprint told me that there was no way this could happen. I cleaned the phone soooooo many times, and I don't run anything any more (might as well be an old flip phone). It hadn't done it for a while, but recently started again. I also have bluetooth randomly pop on, 4G (there is no 4G in my area) turn on the 4G search, etc. What was interesting is that I found out that Sprint was 'upgrading' towers in my neighborhood, and was told they were probably "running testing". While that might not explain everyone's problems/situations, it does open the possibility that it's not the person/app/etc but could be triggered by Sprint, whether on purpose or not. So the last two weekends there have been 'upgrades' and both weekends nightmare phone behavior, even bumping my wifi connection (yeah I live on wifi because even 3G is bad here).

Just a thought...Personally I'm done with troubleshooting for them, especially since we're back at the bottom of the list for 4G. (No one at Sprint knows what "upgrades" were done on the weekends - but it wasn't anything that helped us locals).