How to upgrade phone without account manager

I'm asking this for my girlfriend, who has a messed up family situation right now, but wants to upgrade phones.

Under Verizon's new policy, in order to upgrade phones, an account manager must be present. Well the only two account managers on her plan are her mother, and former step-father. Who both have restraining orders against them and are court ordered to not have any contact with my girlfriend. They are also both awaiting trial for various crimes. It is also illegal for them to drop her from the plan, she is protected through child services so her mother is not allowed to drop my girlfriend's phone, insurance, etc.

So how would my girlfriend be able to upgrade phones when both account managers are court ordered to not have contact with her?

Accepted answers

veryfrustrated0118

The problem is that the person who owns the account (the one who put their SSN on it) is financially responsible for the account. They get to make all decisions on an account.

You should NEVER have been able to upgrade without being the account owner or an authorized account manager. This is NOT a new policy. For as long as I have been a Verizon Wireless customer (2011) they have been checking identification. If you cannot prove you are who you say you are and you're not authorized they won't even tell you the upgrade date on the account. It's just that simple.

You can argue it all you like but just because you hold a phone in your hand does NOT give you carte blanche. It simply means the account owner was nice enough to let you have and use a phone in their name and be financially responsible for it.

We have provided the options available. There is nothing more that can be done.

All comments

veryfrustrated0118

Is she over 18?

She can't do anything unless the account owner lists her as an account manager. They don't have to speak with her they just have to call Verizon Wireless and put her on. She then can show ID at a store and get a new phone. Provided that she is 18 or over, of course.

Linder1000

She is over 18. However she has no way to contact the account owner/managers/her mom. And even if she did have a way to speak with her, after everything that happened, we highly doubt they would list her as an account manager.

tikibar1

She could 'bring her own phone' by buying one from someplace like swappa.com and then just swap SIM cards (assuming the phones use the same size SIM card).

veryfrustrated0118

She wouldn't be able to do anything on the Verizon account through a Verizon store or retailer if she isn't authorized.

Maybe you should try to get her a new number and phone on your account. She could also try opening an account with VZW or any carrier in her own name. She would have to get a new number.

Linder1000

So you're pretty much saying she's [Removed]? She gets assaulted by her step-dad, and her mom knows and does nothing about it. So the court takes them away. But yet she still can't get a new phone without them. That's a little messed up if you ask me.

Trying to avoid putting her on her own plan because no 18 year old college student with no parent can afford today's outrageously expensive phone plans.

inappropriate content removed as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service

Message edited by Verizon Moderator