Billing Discrepancy Inquiry – Unexpected Charges

Question

Dear AWS Support Team,

I hope you are doing well. I am reaching out regarding an unexpected charge on my AWS account. I am currently in a training period, and my usage has been limited to learning and practicing AWS services. However, I have noticed that my bill is significantly higher than expected, despite not subscribing to any paid services.

Additionally, my colleagues, who have been using similar services for training purposes, have not been charged the same amount. This discrepancy concerns me, and I would appreciate your assistance in reviewing my account usage and charges.

Could you please help me understand the reason for these charges and guide me on how to control and monitor my costs more effectively in the future? If there are any unnecessary services running, I would like to terminate them to avoid further charges.

I appreciate your time and support on this matter and look forward to your response.

Best regards,
Mariam

re:Post Agent · Answer

I understand your concern about unexpected charges on your AWS account, Mariam. This is a common issue for those learning to use AWS services. Here are some steps you can take to address this situation:

1. Immediately review and delete any resources you are no longer using. Even if you're not actively using them, some resources may still be running and incurring charges.

2. Use the Cost Explorer in the Billing and Cost Management console to identify which specific resources incurred the higher costs. This will help you understand where the charges are coming from.

3. Contact AWS Support directly by opening a case under the "Account and Billing" category. Explain your situation as a trainee using AWS for learning purposes and request assistance with the unexpected charges. They can help investigate the charges and potentially assist with resolving billing issues.

4. For future use, it's crucial to set up budgets and alerts in your AWS account. This will notify you if resources are left running and accumulating charges beyond your expected usage.

5. Always check the pricing page or use the AWS Pricing Calculator before using any new services to understand potential costs.

6. Be aware that while AWS offers a Free Tier for some services, many have limitations. Some services offer a limited number of free hours per month for a specific period, not unlimited free access.

7. Consider signing up for a student or training account if you haven't already, as this may provide you with some free credits.

Remember, AWS services do cost money to use, and it's important to monitor your usage carefully. The fact that your colleagues haven't been charged the same amount suggests there might be some resources or services you're using that they aren't. By following these steps and working with AWS Support, you should be able to identify the cause of the discrepancy and prevent future unexpected charges.
      
**Sources**  
[unexpected billing price | AWS re:Post](https://repost.aws/questions/QUR2i9WNDyQdqVeFKgXU3mtg/unexpected-billing-price)  
[Inquiry Regarding Unexpected Charges | AWS re:Post](https://repost.aws/questions/QUz9nnhBHmTJ-RC4d_B81UTQ/inquiry-regarding-unexpected-charges)  
[Stop the Bills please | AWS re:Post](https://repost.aws/questions/QUcZQkeFeTSdekQGAzOITRcA/stop-the-bills-please)

Billing Discrepancy Inquiry – Unexpected Charges

Add your answer

Relevant content