Slamming is when someone adds services to your wireless account without your permission. This is exactly what happened to me — and it turned into a multi-day ordeal that chewed up over two hours on the phone, multiple transfers, a trip to UPS, and a fight to get my own money back.
How It Started
I have six lines on my AT&T business wireless account under MobileWiseGuy. I only personally use a tablet — the other five lines are for family members. I wanted to block long distance on those phones. That request alone took four hours and three different representatives who ultimately could not block the long distance.
When the next bill arrived, I saw about $180 in long distance charges. One of my family members — the main user of one of the lines and an authorized contact — called AT&T. In the middle of the call, she three-wayed me in because the AT&T rep was pushing her to get a tablet before removing the charges.
I asked directly, “Are you saying the only way you’ll remove these charges is if we get a tablet?” The rep mumbled. I asked again, on a recorded line. The rep mumbled again. The third time, the rep finally said, “No, you do not need a tablet.” I made it crystal clear — I did not want a tablet — I only wanted the long distance charges removed.
Returned… or So I Thought
The rep said they’d cancel the tablet order and remove the charges. The next day, a tablet showed up at my door. I shipped it back immediately and received an email from AT&T confirming they had received the device and credited the $0.99 tablet cost.
Canceling the Line
When I called AT&T to cancel the line, the rep asked if I wanted it canceled at the end of the billing cycle. I said absolutely not — why would I pay for a month of service for something I never asked for? If you cancel something, always make it clear you want it canceled immediately or they will charge you for an extra month.
The Bill Shock
Despite the return and the cancellation, my next bill included a $376.51 charge for canceling the tablet and the monthly service. When I called to dispute it, the first two reps asked me to provide tracking for the return — even though AT&T’s own system showed the tablet was received and credited. That’s when I demanded a supervisor.
The Payment Arrangement
After spending two hours on the phone, running to the UPS store to confirm the return, and another half hour canceling the line, I finally got a payment arrangement in writing. AT&T said they could not apply the credit immediately, so they set it up so that after I paid my regular $206 bill, my service would not be interrupted. The $376.51 credit would appear on my next bill.
Lessons Learned
- Always confirm “cancel immediately” — not at end of billing cycle.
- Returning a device does not cancel the line — you must call in and cancel service.
- Keep every email and screenshot confirming returns and credits.
- Slamming — adding a service without your permission — can happen at any carrier.
- Consider pausing or removing AutoPay during an active billing dispute.
Extra Tip
When returning a device, you still have to call and cancel the number tied to it. Keep all tracking information and expect an email from AT&T confirming they received the device and credited the account. Business customers have 30 days to cancel service and return a device — do not wait until the last minute or you’ll be scrambling.