I believe that I am an innocent victim of this company's billing practices and scetch information about phone costs. switch, Almost a year ago, my mother, and companion of 76 years, passed away. My brothers and sisters were very concerned about my well being and insisted I get a cell phone. The first phone I purchased (Samsung) turned out to be a lemon. The company replaced it but I could not get the second one to work properly (user unfriendly).. I believe I paid over $500 for the initial setup and the purchase of the phone. The company agent suggested that I buy a more user friendly phone (Treo700W) for an additional $125. I agreed and proceeded to use the service which I understood would cost only $39.90 a month for 450 minutes. It was my belief that this was the entire charge and that if I synchronized with my computer each use would be charged to my 450 minutes. How mistaken I was!!! My first bill was for over $70. I immediately called to complain since I had used the phone very little. I do recall that their clerk told me of a package which cost and additional amount each month. I told her that I didn't care as long as I was aware of what I was paying for, that I had to be able to budget amounts I could afford to pay, and asked that she write to me explaining this package. She invited me to use Verizon web site. Although I had problems, for over a month, in being able to access their site, I still could not understand the plan. In the meantime, another monthly bill, in excess of $550 was sent to me via the phone. I immediately complained to the FCC. To cut a long story short, the FCC gave Verizon 45 days to respond to my complaint. They responded to me on the 45th day saying that since I didn't opt for their $45. monthly plan I was legitimately charged the %550 fee and an additional $770 for the month in which I was waiting for a response from them. They wrote back to the FCC telling them that the charges were legitimate. The FCC told me that if I was not satisfied I would have to file charges and pay to have the case pursued. What I had done was download their program which included Outlook Express. It was a program which I hadn't used in over 11 years and really never cared to use it. When I tried to delete it, it just wouldn't go away. At any rate, my second bill turned out to be in excess of $550. for one months use. I did understand anything about being charged for e-mails being sent from my computer to the phone. The only thing I did with was messages was to delete them as they came in because I use my laptop for such purposes. I was charged for each of those e-mails. The phone units I used was probably under 40 minutes for all of the months I had the service. When I did use the web, I tried to do so on off hours when I expected there would be no charge for the phone call I expected such usage might generate. I NEVER did receive a bill from Verizon which explained the costs of the service for which they are billing me. When I looked at the bill, online, the only thing that showed was the cost of service (no other explanation) and payment options. I never dreamed of scrolling below that point and, just last week, I decided to print the thing. Unbeknownst to me, there was a long list of charges beneath what I believed was the complete bill. QUITE A DECEPTION (IMVHO). There's MORE but I'm tired, and exhausted, suffering from cancer, emphysema and being on oxygen 24/7, and a monthly income which is less than the amount for which Verizon would have/did charge me for monthly usage of there service. I can't believe that I am the only one suffering this type of gouging. It doesn't make sense to me that, if you ask for a breakdown of what one is paying for they can't give an adequate, understandable response IN WRITING. I can't understand why, if I didn't buy a package for $45. a month, I would end up being charged almost $800 a month. I doesn't make sense.