Sudden Data Usage Spike

[madisonsb]

I ran an account analysis which showed we used an average of 11GB per month for the past 6 months.  Now, suddenly, we have already used over 12GB for the month of March (and we are only halfway through the month)!  This is nuts! We aren't doing anything different....we always use WiFi when at work/school. When friends have complained about Verizon scamming them into upgrading their data plan, I have always defended Verizon.  No Longer!  Why should I stay with Verizon when they don't seem to care about customer loyalty?  Scamming long time customers into buying more data/upgrading services is wrong! I pay over $250 a month for 3 smartphones and 15GB data.  I can get 3 smartphones and unlimited data with AT&T for $180. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Madisonsb,

Managing your data is extremely is important and can be difficult at times. You can check your usage http://vz.to/1OnKhDz at anytime to see which line and what type of data is being used. We would never want you to consider leaving us of your data and we have tools that can help you manage this data. Check out our FamilyBase http://vz.to/1IzTnZg to help control your data.

JenelleR_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[kypata]

I've experienced an extreme increase in my data usage and am seeing charges for data when my phone is on wifi.  Wifi Assist is turned off.  I've called and there seems to be no answer.  The increase started in late February but March has been extreme. 

[naansalad]

" can get 3 smartphones and unlimited data with AT&T for $180. " you might want to look in those T&C and see how they offer unlimited data .

are you sure all 3 lines used most of time wifi and you can verify somehow ?

[wizard2044]

We are having the same issue with 2 of our lines. Is your phone an iPhone?

[vzw_customer_support]

kypata,

Seeing an unexpected increase in data usage can definitely be alarming. In most cases, there's a change in our usage habits or sometimes, the quality of the content we're using that causes the increase. You can use the Data Utilization Tool http://vz.to/1XzxMwm to find out what types of services are causing your increase. Now you've mentioned that your phone is connected to WiFi at the time you're seeing the usage increase and that you've turned WiFi assist off, have you disabled cellular data in the settings of your phone by going to Settings > Cellular? Doing this will limit usage to WiFi only.

ShawnteJ_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[AMYKLA65]

Hi!

I am having the very same issue!

It started as soon as I decreased my data package. I have 3 cell phones in my family package and we have changed nothing as far as our data habits go. Sadly, I got NO HELP from Verizon online at all. I was told to make sure the every time we use WiFi instead of cellular data to make sure we go in and turn off  the "cellular data". Which we do. HOWEVER, we have never had to up to this point......because we have never been close to going over out allowance. With exception to special occasions.

SO.......

I spent all day, and I'm not exaggerating, yesterday… Working on this data issue… I figured it out! They disagreed it was the problem (of course) and they would not even give me $10 worth of credit on our account.

You can try this on your phone just to see for yourself.

You'll need to turn off your Wi-Fi assist and and keep your Cellular data ON.

When you go somewhere and link up to Wi-F you will need to THEN MANUALLY TURN OFF your cellular data.

*This is the problem* It's when you leave your WiFi assist on.....AND.....if you have you cellular data ON at the same time you are linked up to WiFi and you do not manually turn off your cellular data.

The phone will actually use your cellular data!

So another words the phone is pulling from cellular data FIRST if you have both Wi-Fi and cellular data on at the same time!

So frustrating I know they do this on purpose just to make money. It wasn't always this way. Verizon changed it. My guess is they were loosing $$$ with their customers buying less data and using more WiFi. There's hundreds of people alone just on this forum who are complaining about their data spiking. Just think of all the millions of customer who don't write in or call in who have the same issue! I am in the process of writing the OH State Attorney's Office a letter addressing this issue. They do not take these things lightly. This is not the first time Verizon has had to deal with this type of class action issue.

Pass this along.

[Ann154]

The Wifi Assist on the iPhone with its default setting of being on is how Apple wrote their code.  Verizon had no control over adding it to the phone connecting to the VZW network. It would have been smarter if Apple did a better job of either informing their users of the change or setting it to be off by default as part of the update that feature came with.

[Weth · Accepted solution]

So another words the phone is pulling from cellular data FIRST if you have both Wi-Fi and cellular data on at the same time!

That is not how wifi assist works.  It only kicks in if you wifi connection is slow or marginal.  It is not pulling from cellular first if you have a wifi connection.  Just turn it off. 

[Beccalee0324]

I know how to monitor my data usage. Which is why I know r is using way too much right now.