Unauthorized tethering accusation

Question

Unauthorized tethering accusation

I just got a nasty email from AT&T about the use of my iPhone 5S, running iOS 7.1.2. I have an unlimited data plan. I have been an AT&T mobile service user for at least three years and I got my iPhone 5S, nearly a year ago. The email said I am using tethering without authorization and that I may need to be changed to a more expensive data plan if I don't stop. The trouble is, I am not using tethering, nor have I ever used that feature. I checked my iPhone's settings and it is off. I called AT&T and they said an app might be turning it on, but they couldn't provide any details. I also rarely drive and my car does not have bluetooth capability. The only bluetooth accessory I ever use is synching with my Fitbit Flex, which I have had for at least the past six month. How could could AT&T claim I use tethering when it is disabled on my iPhone and my app usage pattern hasn't changed in ages? I don't use any high bandwidth apps, such as NetFlix. The iOS apps I use the most are: Mail, Facebook, Twitter, Safari, Foursquare, Fitbit, iTunes (to listen to pre-downloaded music), the Camera app, Words with Friends, and the New York Times app. So how can I make sure no app on my iPhone uses tethering if apps can turn that feature on without my knowledge?

If anyone can help me get to the bottom of this situation, please let me know. Googling has not helped.

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jul 21, 2014 11:41 AM

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Answer 1

raymond73

Level 4

1,843 points

Jul 21, 2014 12:04 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

If anyone can help me get to the bottom of this situation, please let me know. Googling has not helped.

With tethering turned off no app can use the tethering feature. The tethering would have to be through WIFI or Bluetooth. You can eliminate all the Bluetooth connections by choosing to ignore them. You can do the same with WIFI. You should also change the password for WIFI (Personal Hotspot under Cellular in settings). Also when another device is connected through tethering you will get a notice on your device.

You need to take this matter to an AT&T store along with a copy of the email. AT&T may have something messed up in their network. Also get AT&T to provide you with another SIM card so that your digital serial number is changed.

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 12:26 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Make sure Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot is "Off" and stays "Off" (you never turn it on).

Some of the apps you mention (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) can use huge amounts of cellular data.

Your Bluetooth use is irrelevant when asking about tethering.

Do you have other devices (e.g., an iPad with cellular capability) that use your AT&T plan? A cellular iPad, for example, is also capable of tethering.

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Answer 3

Jul 21, 2014 12:28 PM in response to sberman

My only iPad is wi-fi only. I only use it where I have free wi-fi access, mostly at home or my office at work. I checked my iPhone multiple times and the Personal Hotspot is off.

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Answer 4

Jul 21, 2014 12:30 PM in response to raymond73

I guess I will have to pay a visit to a local AT&T store. My Personal Hotspot configuration is off and has never been turned on. With that option off, there is no way to check the wifi password. Thanks.

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Answer 5

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 12:35 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

I certainly do not work for AT&T, and do not represent them, but I can guess what might be happening.

Unlimited data plans have not been offered for several years by AT&T. You were grandfathered in - you had an unlimited plan previously, and AT&T never disallowed them.

Today, if you were to purchase tethering (also known as personal hotspot), you would need at least a 5GB data plan. So my guess is you are using considerably more than 5GB of data each month because of your apps, probably largely your social networking apps. So, again, just a guess, but I suspect AT&T may think you are tethering because of huge data use. Indeed you may well not be tethering.

You can look at your bill online at http://www.attwireess.com and see how much data you are using each month. If more than several GB, that may be what is happening. Yes, I understand you have an unlimited plan.

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Answer 6

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,022 points

Jul 21, 2014 12:45 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Do you have any iOS apps that can monitor your actual usage of their service?

While I am woefully ignorant of such, I do know they should & likely do exist

and as such, would be a way to show your usage to them, in person, or by

keeping a second record of the information gained that way, for evidence.

Those listed apps and connections to social media can use a lot of bandwidth

due to the transfer of data packages and image files, plus video content. This

is one of the reasons I don't really want a smart phone. Plus I see people so

inconvenienced in driving, with their hands full and their roadway view blocked.

In any event...

Good luck! 🙂

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Answer 7

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 12:53 PM in response to K Shaffer

K Shaffer wrote:

Do you have any iOS apps that can monitor your actual usage of their service?

Settings > Cellular provides this metric. It is available directly within iOS.

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Answer 8

Jul 21, 2014 12:54 PM in response to sberman

sbermon, I just logged onto my AT&T mobile web site to check my usage. It hovers around 2GB per month; which seems well within reason. You're correct, I am grandfathered in for an unlimited data plan. The weird thing is that I am halfway through my current billing period and my data usage thus far is significantly below average (roughly 200MB). Even when I travel out of town, and I Foursquare everywhere and use my iPhone more than I typically do when I am home, my usage rarely goes above 2.5GB, which is what it was for my previous monthly billing period. I think this situation definitely warrants a visit to an AT&T store, as you suggested. Thanks.

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Answer 9

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 12:56 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Agreed.

Good luck!

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Answer 10

Jul 21, 2014 1:14 PM in response to sberman

I have AT&T's iOS app. It shows my data usage for this billing period as 294MB with 25 days remaining in the billing period. On the other hand, my iPhone claims 17.0GB of cellular data usage, but I don't know when that number started accumulating. Is it per billing period or since I last restarted my iPhone?

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Answer 11

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 1:21 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

If you scroll down to the bottom of Settings > Cellular, you will find "Reset Statistics".

So the counters accumulate since the later of these two events:

You restart your iPhone

You reset the statistics.

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Answer 12

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 1:23 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Also, below the "Reset Statistics" button, you will see "Last Reset" followed by a date and time.

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Answer 13

Jul 21, 2014 1:32 PM in response to sberman

Oh, okay. The last statistics reset was in September when I bought my iPhone. That explains that high usage rating. Thanks for all the advise.

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Answer 14

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jul 21, 2014 1:36 PM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Glad to help. Hope AT&T resolves this reasonably for you.

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Answer 15

Jul 21, 2014 5:58 PM in response to sberman

Unfortunately, a visit to an AT&T store resulted in nothing. A representative at the store checked my iPhone and my AT&T account. He referred me to his manager. Both individuals were at a loss as to why AT&T would think I am using my iPhone as a hot spot. He suggested I call back and ask to speak with a supervisor. I will pursue this if I get another notice. In the meanwhile, I did a network reset and I disabled the option to send diagnostic data to Apple.

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