I have an allowance with my isp of 20Gb per month. I have just received a letter informing me that i went way over and its going to cost me £60

However my isp is supposed to send me an email when i have used half my allowance then further emails when i get near my limit. I have not received any such email. Even this month i have used over half and still no email.

Now i think i probably have blown my allowance but surely if they had told me i was getting near to the limit its fair to assume i would have been more careful. This is the angle i am trying with them at the moment.

Also can my isp tell if it is myself that has downloaded loads of data or if someone has hacked my wireless network? The woman at customer services said it was if i had one of their routers but i don't and never have.

Any thoughts or advice?

Cheers

Also can my isp tell if it is myself that has downloaded loads of data or if someone has hacked my wireless network?

I would have thought that they can only tell if your IP address has downloaded 'loads of data'.

There's quite a few bandwidth monitor programs that you can install which allow you to monitor your own usage to confirm what they are saying - these can be installed on your PC and phones etc.

Presumably you use encryption on your wireless data - and not just the basic settings?

I would have thought that they can only tell if your IP address has downloaded 'loads of data'.

There's quite a few bandwidth monitor programs that you can install which allow you to monitor your own usage to confirm what they are saying - these can be installed on your PC and phones etc.

Presumably you use encryption on your wireless data - and not just the basic settings?

I do have encryption and use MAC filtering.

I am just looking for a way of not paying lol.

If they had told me i was close to my download limit i would certainly have made sure i didn't bust it by as much as it looks like i have.

Thats my point.

Cheers

I take you have checked for viruses/malware and you don't have any torrent clients or the like

I take you have checked for viruses/malware and you don't have any torrent clients or the like

I do have a bit torrent client. I also have an iMac so i doubt i have a virus..

I think i have downloaded the amount they say i have don't get me wrong. But i never realised how much i had downloaded until the bill came. :'(

If they had sent me emails informing me of my usage as they state on their website and as they send to many of my friends and family then i would have made sure i kept within my allowance.

Up your allowance to 40GB even if you don't use it all you won't have to pay these penalties.

When I took out a new contract with TalkTalk I was given 40GB which is overkill for me really, but it's in place if I require it.

Ensure you have protection from outsiders with a password requirement.

Up your allowance to 40GB even if you don't use it all you won't have to pay these penalties.

When I took out a new contract with TalkTalk I was given 40GB which is overkill for me really, but it's in place if I require it.

I usually use about 6 to 10Gb per month. its just this one month i totally lost track of how much stuff i had downloaded. My isp states that it will let me know when i am close to using my allowance and they didn't. If they had i am certain i would not have gone over. Certainly not by the huge amount i have.

I do have a bit torrent client. I also have an iMac so i doubt i have a virus..

I think i have downloaded the amount they say i have don't get me wrong. But i never realised how much i had downloaded until the bill came. :'(

If they had sent me emails informing me of my usage as they state on their website and as they send to many of my friends and family then i would have made sure i kept within my allowance.

Make sure the torrent client isn't starting up automatically. Depending on the configuration, it may continue to upload indefinately.

Depending on the ISP, you may need to turn on the bandwidth warning messages. Ask your ISP when and to what address they sent the messages to - see what they say.

Who is the ISP? Tell them where to go..

Are you out of your contract period (usually 12 months)? If so phone them and ask for the MAC code and tell them your leaving as you are disgusted with the way they treat their customers etc.

Have you got any paper work stating that they will notify you when you reach 50%? If so email this to them along with the invoice and politely tell them you aren't paying it.

Who is the ISP? Tell them where to go..

Are you out of your contract period (usually 12 months)? If so phone them and ask for the MAC code and tell them your leaving as you are disgusted with the way they treat their customers etc.

Have you got any paper work stating that they will notify you when you reach 50%? If so email this to them along with the invoice and politely tell them you aren't paying it.

ISP is Karoo. I am based in Hull and cannot actually move to another provider due to the unique situation we have here. If i could, i would.

Don't think i have anything in writing as i have been with them for donkeys years. It clearly states on their web site that they will let you know when you are getting near to using your allowance. All my mates seem to get emails notifying them. They also get email notification for every Gb they go over their limit.

ISP is Karoo. I am based in Hull and cannot actually move to another provider due to the unique situation we have here. If i could, i would.

Don't think i have anything in writing as i have been with them for donkeys years. It clearly states on their web site that they will let you know when you are getting near to using your allowance. All my mates seem to get emails notifying them. They also get email notification for every Gb they go over their limit.

They send the reminder to the default email address. If you have added another mailbox and are only reading that, you won't see the reminders.

I also have an iMac so i doubt i have a virus..

Typical Mac user

What router do you have? Can you check any usage stats from that? Mine shows me how much data it has updownloaded/downloaded since it last power cycle (and will also log that data to an external source).

Torrents can easily chomp through data though. I am proper unlimited package, so I don't have to worry. I used to be on a 80GB package and had to keep an eye on it.

ISP is Karoo.

Is that all part of Kingston Communications (or at least that is what they were called when I was a child....)

Edited 18 June, 201115 yr by mbames

Ask them for a copy of the reminder email that was sent to you including the header information.

If they can't, they can't prove you were adequately warned as per their policy and they will be in breach of contract. Maybe.

Offer to pay the rental for the 60GB package that month and upgrade to the 40GB instead as that's going to be a lot cheaper than getting a 60GB fine every so often.