A bill for a bill? What gives?

Consumers who haven't migrated their bill receiving functions online are increasingly finding that they're at the mercy of companies now charging for paper statements. It's a source of irritation for many who feel that businesses have no right to charge for information that informs consumers how much is owed.

For many, including Rob Connor of Charleston, S.C., providing an itemized, paper bill is simply a cost of doing business companies must incur, and one that shouldn't be foisted upon consumers' wallets.

Connor's beef is with mobile-phone company T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telecom AG, which recently sent him a note advising that it will soon begin charging $1.50 a month to receive a summary paper bill and $3.50 a month for detailed statement.