Multiple messages being billed for one overseas text

[Iphone7]

I’ve sent one text to a relative in USA and now find I’ve been billed for 5 simultaneous messages, all outside of my bundle also I can no longer call out or receive calls maybe linked? It’s chaos !

[Iphone7]

Is this a common occurrence or is it an incorrect iPhone setting ? I’ve got 4g but still can’t make or receive calls….

[Bambino]

@Iphone7 See if anything in this link explains things for you: How to avoid accidental MMS sending (o2.co.uk)

Sounds like you'll also need to speak to customer service.
Call 202 from your mobile or 0800 032 1402 from any phone.

Alternative numbers here: Guide: Coronavirus Community Help and Support 
When it comes to the reason you are calling, stay silent for 15 seconds and you will be taken to the keypad options.
Press 2 for Everything Else
Press 5 for More Options
Press 7 for Anything Else which will put you though to someone.
Best time to call is 8 am.

[Projectionist]

Do you use emojis?

This might explain   https://investmanila.com/emoji-sms-text-160-70-characters/ 

Basically, when you use emojis, you only get 70 characters per text, not 160.

If you type them manually, (the old-fashioned way) where possible, you get 160.

Examples might be 🙂  or   @}-,-'---

[Projectionist]

This explains it better   https://support.dotdigital.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360011201040-SMS-message-length-and-Unicode 

If you're paying for texts, avoid emojis like the plague.

I found this out the hard way too, texting Ivory Coast

[Bambino]

@Iphone7 I would also suggest to you, when you get your phone back up and running again, if you want to send text messages, or emojis, or call the US, both you and the people you're intending to reach download and install WhatsApp, or Signal, or Google Duo. The cost to you for the app, and to send in any form is zero.

[MI5]

@Projectionist 

Let me know if you think there's something missing from our community guide and I'll add it 

Guide: Accidental MMS Sending and How to Avoid it 

[Iphone7]

Thank you, good advice, but this particular recipient doesn’t use FaceTime or WhatsApp - I don’t mind paying for one text every so often but it’s too much when I get billed 5 times for the same text ! As suggested earlier, need to speak with CS about this issue. In the mean time I now get a message saying 02 have stopped my 4g calls???? They’re supposed to be unlimited …

[Iphone7]

@Bambino Thank you, good advice, but this particular recipient doesn’t use FaceTime or WhatsApp - I don’t mind paying for one text every so often but it’s too much when I get billed 5 times for the same text ! No emojis or other complications, just plain text, As suggested earlier, need to speak with CS about this issue. In the mean time I now get a message saying 02 have stopped my 4g calls???? They’re supposed to be unlimited …

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@Iphone7 

That message is usually due to a temporary network issue. 
Rebooting your phone should fix it.