Numerous mobile phone service users in Mexico have expressed their concern about a supposed data theft that has resulted in mobile internet usage bills being up to 200% higher than usual. Some affected individuals have shared their experiences, including receipts and payment notes that support this significant increase in their monthly bills.
In the words of Marco Treviño, an affected user, the situation he has experienced is as follows: "My monthly data plan used to be 300 pesos, with 2 GB of service, and everything was fine. However, in the last bills, I have noticed an excessive increase, reaching even 1000 pesos in the last receipt. The phone company has not provided me with any solution regarding this." Another similar case is that of Daniel Acevedo, whose monthly bill went from 499 pesos to 1767 pesos in one month.
The alleged modus operandi behind this mobile data theft points directly to the telephone companies, which provide detailed reports on users' internet consumption and the amounts they need to pay monthly. According to Rafael Pazarán, head of the Information Technology degree at La Salle University, the problem lies in the browsing habits of users and the data demand of the apps downloaded on phones, as well as poor streaming service configurations and the acquisition of plans that do not match users' actual needs.
He pointed out that activities such as watching high-quality videos or listening to music on streaming services consume large amounts of data, which can explain the significant increases in bills. Additionally, events such as elections or massive shopping events, like El Buen Fin, can spike mobile data consumption.
According to Pazarán, consumers over 35 years old need an average of 8 GB of data per month, while younger users may require up to 16 GB monthly due to their higher use of mobile devices. The researcher emphasizes the importance of choosing the right data plan to avoid unpleasant surprises in bills, as well as moderating data consumption in activities like high-definition video playback.
In summary, mobile data theft in cell phone services in Mexico has become a growing concern among consumers, who face unexpectedly high bills and excessive consumption of their mobile internet plans. This phenomenon is related to users' browsing habits, increased demand for streaming services, and events that generate spikes in data consumption. Experts recommend that users choose data plans that align with their actual needs and monitor their consumption to avoid surprises in monthly bills.
