is this fraud? - Upgrade EARLY to iPhone 5c 32GB - FREE. Exclusively for you.

I received email as followings:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPGRADE to

iPhone 5c 32GB FREE

iPhone 5c has the things that made iPhone 5 an amazing phone—and
more, including iOS 7. All in a completely new design that feels great
in your hand.

Hurry! This special offer for your mobile number
ending in 7585 ends on 3/31/14.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Is this e-mail fraud?

It does not work to get the free phone.

Accepted answers

ttipgem

No. It's not fraud. It's a legit email. Lots of people have been getting them.

You can see that offer on Verizon's website too.

All comments

Tidbits

I want to say yes it is only because we can't see the full email. Also Verizon doesn't allow early upgrade without exception(which this email is). Best to call Verizon and ask specifically.

ttipgem

No. It's not fraud. It's a legit email. Lots of people have been getting them.

You can see that offer on Verizon's website too.

prettymami1982

Duplicate post - please see:

https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1065063#1065063

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

ryrythtguy

No its not. I myself took advantage of this offer coming from a Samsung s4 and only had to pay 30 dollar upgrade fee. Downside is you're signing a two year contract instead of being able to take advantage of their edge program.

Verizon_Support

Hi ryrythtguy,

I apologize for any confusion! However, there's no upgrade fee involved with the Edge Program. The upgrade fee applies only when you're getting a discount on a new phone under a new customer agreement. For more details on the Edge program, visit http://tiny.cc/1uizcx.

Edwin_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

trouble_brewing

I fully believe it to be against the law and let them know in no uncertain terms, via phone and facebook. I've filed with the FTC. I have screen shots of the multiple offers I got about this and it clearly says 'upgrade early' and 'free'. I am very disappointed with the service I received pertaining to this issue. We've been customers since Alltell and this is ridiculous.

Screenshots with private info removed as required by the Terms of Service.

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

ttipgem

What exactly do you believe is "against the law"?

ponyruns

There are a few of these types of promotions out there. In general, they are sent mostly to those with basic phones in an effort to push them to become smartphone users. My wife got one of these last fall.

trouble_brewing

I believe it is called bait and switch. When they offer me a service (free upgrade early as advertised) and then when I attempt to accept their offer, hand me a bill for $600+. I was willing to extend my contract another two years. We've been with them since they were Alltel.

ttipgem

The phone is free (as long as you meet whatever requirements are listed). Lots of other people have gotten the phone under this promotion. CALL to order it rather than doing it online. You will, however, have to pay the $30 upgrade fee the same as everyone else who purchases a phone at a subsidized price.

I've been with them since Alltel, too. Big deal.

Tidbits

Bait and switch only happens when they sold you an item and gave you something different.

Like offer a free iPhone with 2 year, but send you a moto X. That would be a bait and switch.

You won't get the deal if you are not upgrade eligible. Just because you got the email doesn't make you eligible.

rivrlivr

I received the same offer and ordered the phone online due to them being out of stock in the store. (Suggested by sales person in the store to do this). I got my bill today and yep... charged 273.00 for the FREE phone.

Verizon_Support

Hello rivrlivr!

I'm sorry for any inconvenience with the iPhone 5c. I can definitely look into this for you. I have followed you in the forums. Please accept me and follow me back, then send a Direct Message to me. I will be happy to address this for you.

Thanks,

ChristinaB_VZW

VZW Support

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

tirediron

My situation was different! on 3/30 I tried to order the Free 5c online but could never find the "Free" upgrade my cart showed $199 so I called and in a conversation I felt certain I had placed my order before the 3/31 deadline. I also incidentally changed my plan to accomodate the iPhone I thought I had ordered. I saw on the web site that they were back ordered so I did not question not receiving shipping info. When I called to question the delayed shipping I was told the could not find my order, just the plan change. I was told that the offer had expired. I gave them the time of my call and that it was coincident with the "plan change". I asked them to find my conversation to confirm I had placed the order. I asked to speak with a supervisor and did so. She said I had only called to change plans. Totally untrue. She said that she was in NY{?} and had not personally listened to the call but someone had done so. I had no need to change my plan except to accomodate my Free 5c upgrade. I cannot believe that my telcon could be so greatly misinterpreted. I left the phone convinced I had ordered the phone AND changed my plan. I felt that my call would result in a finding that the Verizon rep or the system was at fault and they would honor my order. No luck, I concluded that the "Free" uprade was a variant of bait and switch tactic and that resulted in my timely order not being honored. I'm guessing that it was perhaps just operator error but policy denied it was Verizon and my order was conveniently not honored and I was offered the 5c upgrade for $99. That to me constituted "bait & switch" albeit somewhat convoluted. Until then I had been a long time Verizon customer. The handling of my complaint seemed evidence my business was not valued so I am shopping for an alternative provider.

Verizon_Support

You are still a valued customer, tirediron. I certainly want to make sure you stay part of our wireless family with a great phone. I have sent you a follow request here in the forum. Please access https://community.verizonwireless.com/actions to accept my request and follow me https://community.verizonwireless.com/people/jenniferh_vzw back so you can send me a private message https://community.verizonwireless.com/docs/DOC-1613 with your name so we can get started looking into your upgrade.

Thank you

JenniferH_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

jackie44

no it is not we just did it a month ago

rivrlivr

To all that were promised a "free early upgrade" to the iphone 5c 32 GB if you are still in disagreement as to the cost, continue to press customer support for answers. I purchased my phone on 3/22 the offer ended on 3/31. The reason why I was originally charged was the activation date was 4/2. Although this was due to it being back ordered and not my fault they did not investigate far enough back to see that yes, it was purchased before the expiration date. Go into your Verizon accounts and look at recent purchases. It is there that the agent will see that you are in compliance with the offer. I was able to credit my account for the cost of the phone and I am NOW quite satisfied with Verizon and the customer support rep. that helped me (Christina).

Verizon_Support

Mpographics,

The Free iPhone 5C was supposed to be wonderful and problem-free! It broke my heart to hear about it charging your account and putting a damper on our wireless relationship. I would like to look into this for you. I've requested to follow you. Please accept, follow me back, and send me a direct message using these steps http://vz.to/1cOOY6O so I can help put a smile back on your face.

SarahO_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

mpographics

You can email me a (removed)

Thanks,

Mike O'Doherty

Edited as required by the

Message edited by: Admin Moderator

Verizon_Support

It was a pleasure speaking with you today mpographics. I look forward to speaking with you soon and getting this resolved.

KinquanaH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

Lacey256

I came to the community to see if anyone else has been charged full price for this "Free IPhone 5c 32gb". Apparently so...I am still fighting this. They sent a TOPS request once and it was denied, saying I didn't order my phone until 4/10 which on my receipt it clearly shows 3/30/13.

I called back today and they did another TOPS request. So I am now waiting AGAIN for this flippen credit to my account. You guys are making this seem like it is MY fault when your system jacked this up. Secondly, my plan changed in the middle of the contract and it should not have changed UNTIL I activated my phone.

This has been the absolutely worst upgrade experience ever! I didn't upgrade for 3 years because I was worried about having a bad experience, and its exactly what happened. I have called customer service 5 times about this already. I had to fight to get a 30.00 overage credit due to the proration of my minutes.

Seriously thinking of canceling over this. So irritated that I am made to fee like I did something wrong and have to pay for this. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS UPGRADE!!!!

Verizon_Support

Lacey256 we're here to get this resolved ASAP! We truly apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused but we'll see exactly what's going on for you. Please accept my follow request and send a Direct Message.

AshleyS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Theory

I just got my 5s so it is for real but I am got from a HTC to iPhone too small for my fat fingers

Theory

No I got mine 3 days early

Sagey

I also received the offer for a free upgrade to an iPhone 5c in March. I bought the phone in-store (Berlin Mall, Berlin Vermont) on March 25th and it didn't arrive until April 11th. I paid for the phone up front on my credit card for $211.99 at the store and was told it would take a few billing cycles for the credit to be reflected on my bill.

I haven't received the credit after a couple billing cycles. I called and was told by customer support that there was never such a promotion and gave me a $130 credit. I realize it's not a lot of money, but the only reason I upgraded to an iPhone 5c was because it was free.

How can I get reimbursed the remaining monies I paid out of pocket (about $70).

Thanks

Verizon_Support

Hi Sagey!

Purchasing new phones are suppose to be exciting experiences! I would love the opportunity to ensure you are billed correctly for your new iPhone 5C purchase. If you'd like, "follow" me back, and send me a Direct Message so that I can further assist. Thanks!

@AnthonyTa_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

bchitwood

I received the same message in March and tried to order online. It didn't work. I had to call Customer Service and the rep worked over an hour to place the order. When I asked why it didn't work (it wanted to charge me full price), I was told the promo was set up so the customer would HAVE to call in (and then be upsold to a more expensive phone). This whole process took three days. Finally they told me the phone was on back order and it wouldn't arrive until after my contract was up. Anyway, I finally got my phone but had to call Customer Service to do the upgrade instead of doing it online as I have so many times before. I've been a customer for 10 years and NEVER had this much trouble. I finally got my "free phone" but was charged a $32 "upgrade fee" on my bill. GEESH!

ShapWife

Same Exact Issue - I had received an email from Verizon... specific to ME, on 3/14/14 asking me to upgrade two phones to iPhones. Was not a generic email, they addressed me by the last 4 digits of my phone number.

I was just on phone (again!) for an hour with customer service - and they are telling me that only brand new customers got the offer for $100 credit - and this offer began in April, and I purchased phones in March. Well, my offer specifically said, "UPGRADE BEFORE 3/31/14" to take advantage of this offer. It wasn't an "April" offer, and they specifically sent me an upgrade email...as an EXISTING customer.

The amazing thing is: it only took one billing cycle to bill the surcharges when we upgraded - $30 x 2 (so, $60) ; but, from March until July they couldn't get the two credits (2 X $100) into a bill?

Apparently it doesn't pay to be a "loyal" customer. I've stuck with Verizon for more than a decade. Not only are the "surcharges to upgrade" a slap in the face, but, this apparent fraud on their part is also a slap. Oh, and I guess they don't care since the other part of the "deal" to upgrade required that I sign a new 2 year contract. Lovely. I'm sure this part of the transaction is not lost in their system - and they won't deny it happened either -- but now they are denying they owe us the two credits. Unreal.

dsuh912

Similar customer service tactics w me. I posed the same question. Seems like a bait and switch. Nothing worse than making a promise to a customer, not delivering on the promise, and then insinuating that the customer was wrong or lying! I hope you get your issue resolved. I'm still trying to get someone from Verizon Customer service to respond to me on this forum. Not having much luck. Just another example of poor follow through on their part.

knelsontn

We got this email several months ago and both of my daughters took advantage of the deal and both received early upgrades and free 32 GB iPhone 5c's We couldn't do it online and when we called customer service, they told us to go to the store. We had no problems there. We walked out with one of the phones, but my other daughter wanted a color they didn't have in stock so she had to wait a few days for hers. They did have to pay the $30 upgrade fee per phone but we were told ahead of time that we would have that charge. My only problem with the whole deal is that it wasn't offered to me!!!