Nowadays, cell phone users are surfing the web, receiving emails and watching movies all on their smartphone with just the click of a button from just about anywhere. However, when traveling abroad, many consumers fail to recognize that their data plan is constantly in use even when they think their phone isn’t. Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is advising consumers to either turn off their phone or make the necessary data arrangements with their cell phone provider to avoid thousands of dollars worth of data charges while traveling abroad this summer.

Last year alone, BBB received more than 27,000 complaints against the cell phone industry, some of which were from customers who were unaware that their data was still in use as they traveled outside of their coverage area or outside of the United States. One particular customer was charged more than $1,200 when his cell phone auto received his emails daily during a one week stay in Jamaica.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “roaming” is the term that describes a wireless phone’s ability to make and receive calls outside the home calling area under your service plan. When your phone is roaming, an indicator light on your phone may display the word “roam.” On (more…)