$143,000 Cell Phone Bill Shocks Dunedin Traveler After European Vacation

A phone bill shocks Dunedin traveler after he arrived back from his trip to Europe.

Can you imagine the shock you would experience if you arrived back from a vacation to Europe and received a $143,000 cell phone bill.

Rene Remund is 71 years old. He and his wife Lynda live in Dunedin. They went on a vacation las September to a town in Switzerland. Rene Remund is from Switzerland. What to you typically do on trips? Take photos, right. Rene and Lynda did plenty of that. After taking photos on their trip, they would send them back to friends and family in the U.S., apparently using their cellular data. During the trip, they used about 9.5 gigabytes of data.

Imagine the Remund's nasty surprise when they were back in Dunedin and examined their recent phone bill from T-Mobile, which totaled $143,442.74. With the 9.5 gigabytes of data they used, they were charged over $6,000 each day. Another reason this was so shocking to Remund is because he went to T-Mobile prior to his trip to find out about his coverage. This is something he's done before any international travel, and he was assured that he was covered.

The next step would naturally be to fight the charges. Remund retained an attorney, but the attorney didn't even get a response from T-Mobile. After reaching out to Scripps News Tampa, Remund was able to get some results. T-Mobile went ahead and waived the charges.

Have you ever had this kind of sticker shock after travel? Travel is so expensive to begin with. How stressful would that be to be saddled with those charges and that bill after the fact, especially when you feel like you did everything the right way in advance. Glad it all worked out and glad the Remund family was able to get assistance from Scripps News Tampa's investigation.

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Most of the time, if you're traveling outside of the U.S., you need a current passport to do it. But there are some places outside of the country where you can visit without a passport.  And that's good news for many Americans. A significant portion of Americans, roughly 55 percent, do not possess one.

Last year, the State Department reported that out of the 333,287,557 individuals residing in the United States, an estimated 55 percent, or a substantial portion, did not possess a passport. This figure, based on the total number of 151,814,305 valid U.S. passports in circulation, highlights the fact that a significant majority of Americans have yet to get one.

You don't always need a passport to visit some awesome places. There are U.S. islands and territories, like the breathtaking U.S. Virgin Islands, where you can hop on a plane and explore without a passport. However, it's important to note that the travel landscape can sometimes be confusing, as there are other U.S. territories, like Guam, where a passport is necessary for entry.

When it comes to closed-loop cruises, which are voyages departing from the U.S. and returning to the same port, travelers have a bit of leeway when it comes to passport requirements. According to Ilisa Oman, a travel agent at One World Family Travel, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows passengers on these cruises to travel without providing proof of a passport. Instead, a state-issued driver's license or identification card usually suffices.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule. It’s always best to check in with your cruise line for more information about your travels.

To make your trip planning a breeze, we've got your back with a list of cool destinations where you, as a U.S. citizen, can travel passport-free. Whether you don't have one or simply prefer to explore without the hassle of carrying one, we’ve got you covered.

This Caribbean island is part of the U.S. Puerto Rico has sandy beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and even a tropical rainforest. If you're a U.S. citizen traveling from anywhere within the U.S., you don't need to hassle with a passport to visit this paradise. It's worth mentioning that starting from May 2025, there's this thing called the Real ID Act that kicks in. If your state isn't compliant with this Act, you'll need to bring your trusty passport to explore the wonders of Puerto Rico. So, make sure to check if your state is all set with the Real ID Act before planning your trip.

If you're craving island vibes, you might want to check out St. Croix. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you won't need to worry about bringing your passport when traveling to and from this island.

The Northern Mariana Islands, a collection of 14 tropical wonders has sandy shores, azure waters, and an array of thrilling activities like windsurfing, cavern dives, and jungle treks. And yes, U.S. citizens can venture to these remote islands without the need for a passport. However, it's important to remember that you'll need to carry a government-issued proof of identification along with you during your visit.

St. Thomas, a Caribbean island known for its white sand beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and Danish colonial architecture. As a U.S. citizen, you won't need a passport to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes St. Thomas. However, it's important to note that if you plan to explore the neighboring British Virgin Islands, a valid passport will be required. For your adventures on St. Thomas, it only requires a government-issued ID with your photo.

St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This island is home to the  Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, where you can embark on thrilling adventures like scuba diving, hiking, and even discover prehistoric archaeological sites. Since St. John is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can leave your passport at home when traveling there.