Call Kurtis: What's Hogging My Cell Data?

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) -- David and Teri Wells were charged $555 for data on their Verizon bill.

"We are angry and frustrated," Dave said. "We didn't do it," said Teri.

The couple claims they normally use less than 10 gigabytes each month, but their November bill says they used 45 gigabytes.

How much is that?

According to the Citizens Utility Board, it's like streaming music nonstop for two months, or watching video on YouTube for 15 straight days, or posting 126-thousand photos on Facebook.

"We firmly believe that we didn't use this data and we have no idea what happened," Dave said.

More of us are using more data as we pass time watching videos, playing games, uploading and downloading photos.

"Maybe you're in line somewhere, and the natural thing to do is turn to your phone for entertainment," said CNET Senior Editor Jessica Dolcourt.

She says Skyping, watching YouTube videos, uploading videos and pictures and livestreaming eats up the most data, although she acknowledges 45 gigabytes is a lot.

We brought Dave and Teri's case to Verizon which right away credited them for all that extra data. They wouldn't tell us what happened, but Dave says they told him it was phantom usage, which can be apps running in the background.

The couple has now installed an app that tracks their data usage, so this doesn't happen again.

"We are honest people pay; our bills. As soon as contract is done we are leaving," he said.

You may also consider using Wi-Fi whenever you can, but remember it may not be secured so you should be careful about entering passwords. Many cell companies will let you sign up for alerts if you're about to go over your data.

Verizon: http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/tools-for-monitoring-usage/

Sprint: http://www.sprint.com/legal/usage_alerts.html

AT&T: http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB425929

T-Mobile: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1286

CNET Advice on Reducing Data: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-reduce-and-keep-track-of-your-monthly-data-usage/