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Is it legal for Verizon to charge me for 18 days to port my number?

Is it legal for Verizon to charge me for 18 days for both my phone and a child's tablet with data only, on the pretext it was to secure the porting of my personal number when I switched to another carrier? After finally reaching a customer service rep (10 calls and holding for over 30 minutes the last 2 times) she informed me that Verizon just wanted to make sure they gave enough time for my number to be ported, because if they terminated my account too soon I might have lost my personal number. First they charged me for a complete month of service plus the 18 days, saying I only canceled my phone and not the child's tablet that only had a data plan, with no text or calling. When I stated I had witnesses that both were canceled at the same time, Verizon deleted the charged for the whole month, but still insist I owe for the 18 days to port my personal number. In addition, when I called a week after changing service, my account was inactive and a Verizon Rep informed me that I would get a refund for the part of the month I had paid for and not used; because I pay for the next month before the date that month's service begins.

I don't understand how they can charge me so much, as my number was available by the new company within minutes and information from Verizon's community website states 4 hours is the max it should take unless you are in default or under contract -- neither of which I was. I owned my phone and had met any contract obligations to Verizon over a year earlier. Who do I contact to fight this charge, the BBB, the FCC?

Comments

deloused

Wireless carriers don’t prorate the final bill for monthly service if that’s what you mean (like if there were 18 days remaining in the bill cycle) per the customer agreement.

rcschnoor

From the Verizon Customer Agreement which has been in effect for MANY years:

What happens if my Postpay Service is canceled before the end of my contract term?

"If you're signing up for Postpay Service, you're agreeing to subscribe to a line of Service either on a month–to–month basis or for a minimum contract term, as shown on your receipt or order confirmation.

...

Cancellations will become effective on the last day of that month's billing cycle, and you are responsible for all charges incurred until then."

What this basically says is that you were charged for a full month. You are responsible for the full month's charges. You will not be getting a refund.

While you may have ported you service in the middle of a billing cycle, you are responsible for the bill until the end of your billing cycle. That is why I and many other on these forums have repeatedly stated if you were planning to switch providers, try to initiate the port 3-5 days prior to the end of your billing cycle so as not to lose much time in your billing cycle for which you were already billed and have likely already paid. As was previously stated, Verizon does not pro-rate your final month of service.

Doggo

Considering the FCC is lead by a former Verizon executive, that's not going to get very far. The simple matter is you left before finishing your cycle. Billing would have been the same if you left on day 2 of your cycle vs the last day.

lincolnwea

I wanted to post an update to my comment but it won't let me. I fulfilled

my contract with verizon years ago and never signed a new one. Regardless,

I was charged for days outside of my billing cycle. My monthly billing is

from the 10th to the 10th of the month, but I was charged to the 18th of

the month.

On Sat, Jan 5, 2019 at 10:24 AM glitchedpixel <forums@verizonwireless.com>

lincolnwea

No, this is not what I am talking about. I changed plans on the 30th before

the 10th -- which I had paid thru -- yet they charged me thru the 18th?

Said it was 18 days to port a phone?

lincolnwea

It had nothing to do with my cycle and I always paid in advance, as I

stated. I changed plans on the 30th before the 10th -- which I had paid

thru -- yet they charged me thru the 18th? Said it was 18 days to port a

phone?

Ann154

Was your bill always due on the 10th of the month? If so, that was your bill due date not to the billing cycle end date.

Verizon_Support

I am very sorry to hear about the concerns that have come up on your final bill, lincolnwea. We are very sad to hear that you have decided to leave Verizon Wireless. However, I am more than happy to make sure that all of your concerns regarding your final charges are addressed. I was able to send you a private message. Please feel free to respond to it at your earliest convenience.

BrettA_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

CHABIN41

Verizon Wireless Customer Support

Because I am leaving Verizon after my experience with "Customer Loyalty" today, I asked them the same question. They were quite clear in explaining to me that THEY DO PRORATE MONTHLY SERVICE WHEN A CUSTOMER LEAVES. My radar was already attuned to deception or sharpness when I asked the question, so I even provided an example. My cycle ends on the 25th of January. I asked if my bill would be prorated to about 1/2 its normal amount if I left on Jan the 10th. I was told "Yes." Does the answer differ on prepaid vs postpaid? I am post pay, and the customer rep I was talking to knew that.

Ann154

CHABIN41 wrote:
Verizon Wireless Customer Support
Because I am leaving Verizon after my experience with "Customer Loyalty" today, I asked them the same question. They were quite clear in explaining to me that THEY DO PRORATE MONTHLY SERVICE WHEN A CUSTOMER LEAVES. My radar was already attuned to deception or sharpness when I asked the question, so I even provided an example. My cycle ends on the 25th of January. I asked if my bill would be prorated to about 1/2 its normal amount if I left on Jan the 10th. I was told "Yes." Does the answer differ on prepaid vs postpaid? I am post pay, and the customer rep I was talking to knew that.

That is the opposite of what the official Verizon Customer Agreement linked earlier in this thread indicates. That agreement is the official policy not what a representative has said.

Also prepaid accounts forfeits any remaining funds in the account when it is closed.

CHABIN41

You are absolutely right. The paragraphh titled "What happens if my postpay service is canceled before the end of my contract term?" says exactly what you said. Of course, that title is misleading and wrong, because the paragraph does apply to service cancelled after then of the contract term. It doesn't matter to me because I was leaving 2 days ago no matter what.

But good God, those Verizon people lie about everything.

lincolnwea

My bill was for the 10th thru the 10th. I had paid the bill, they are not

keeping my full payment for the month, they are charging me for 8

additional days!

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