£7,000 phone bill "doesn't ring true" (From Western Telegraph)

£7,000 phone bill "doesn't ring true"

4:20pm Saturday 8th December 2012 in News

A Milford Haven painter and decorator said he was left stunned after being slapped with a monthly phone bill of almost £7,000.

Chris Wilson, who runs oneman painting and decorating business Brush Strokes, said when he queried the bill with Orange, which is usually about £85 per month, they told him there had been “no mistake”.

Orange say the bill was accumulated through data charges downloading films and TV programmes onto his iPhone.

However, Mr Wilson insists he only downloaded one 43- minute programme onto his phone that month.

Mr Wilson said he has had sleepless nights over the £6,875 bill which he cannot afford to pay.

His phone, which is vital to his business, was cut off at the weekend. He is no longer able to make outgoing calls but can still receive them.

“My phone is as essential to my business as my paint brushes,”

he said.

Mr Wilson’s plight was featured on the BBC One Wales consumer programme X-Ray on Monday night and he has vowed to continue his fight against the charges.