Billing

[joebob2024]

I received the following offer from Verizon, this offer is still visible on my account.

“$200 5G Home Plus or LTE Home Plus Target Giftcard Must purchase 5G Home Plus or LTE Home Plus service between 1.18.24 - 2.28.24, activate service within 14 days of purchase, and maintain eligible service in good standing for 45 days to receive a Target gift card.Register for the gift card win 60 days of purchase date.

Gift card emailed within 8 weeks of registration.

Redeemable for merchandise or services (other than gift cards and prepaid cards) at Target stores in the U.S. or Target.com, and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit except where required by law. No value until purchased.

©2022 Target Brands, Inc. One offer per eligible Verizon account. Subject to availability. Product may not be available in all states. Target and the Bullseye Design are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. Terms and conditions are applied to gift cards. Target is not a participating partner in or sponsor of this offer.”

I ordered their 5G on 2/23/24 and discontinued service on 4/18/24 for a total of 55 days. I requested a gift card which I received and used.  In my current billing cycle, I am now being charged for the $200 gift card. They have told me that I didn’t have the service long enough to earn the gift card, which depending on the person who provided the information, the required period was 60 days,180 days and 1 year.  The information I relied on is shown above which says 45 days.  I received a very arrogant, rude and condescending email from someone named Heidi who works in Executive Relations. I disputed the charge with one of their agents over the phone on 6/4/24 and was verbally told I would receive a credit to offset the $200 charge, but it stayed on my bill. I again contacted an agent with Verizon and received the following response via text (I have a copy of the text):

“Going back to your concern, we have checked the policy of the promotion and you meet all of the requirements. The great news is that we have manually processed a credit to cover the $200 Gift Card that was charged back to your account.”

They processed the credit, however the next day they reversed the credit and now they say I owe the $200.

I received the following email from Heidi:

Thank you for contacting Verizon.  This letter is in response to the above referenced to complain regarding the chargeback of the $200 target Gift card. 

Verizon strives to provide an outstanding experience to all of our customers. We understand you may not be satisfied with our previous responses presented. 

Previously, we reviewed the matter and advised the line ending in 9256 was activated on 02/23/2024 and disconnected on 04/15/2024. Verizon reserves the right to charge back the value of the offer up to $200 for the Verizon Gift Card if eligible service is canceled within 180 days of activation. The MDN disconnected less than activation promo terms. Please refer to rebate tab of Promotions for more details. https://www.yourdigitalrebatecenter.com/#!/check-my-status?trackingNumber=1058115606

Please note, in the absence of any new and compelling information, the solution offered will not change. This is our final position regarding the above presented matter; we will not be addressing it further.

The information in her email is incorrect, service ended on 4/18/24.

The information provided above is the condensed version of all the communication that occurred – between phone calls, emails and text I spend around 8 hours trying to resolve this matter only in the end to receive from Verizon that they don’t have to follow the law or do what is equitable.

I believe this constitutes interstate fraud and I plan on pursuing all avenues available. I am concerned this has happened to other Verizon customers.