Obligated to sign up for a credit card

[settlingnomad]

I became a Verizon customer two months ago. I signed up for home internet only. I was told I should ask for paperless billing and sign up for autopay to get a discount. I did that within 2 days of signing up.

On April 1st, 2024 I got an email from Verizon congratulating me for enrolling in AutoPay.

On April 17th, 2024 I got an email from Verizon thanking me for my payment.

On April 26th, 2024 I got an email from Verizon telling me they hadn't received my payment.

I logged into my account, found that the AutoPay was not functional, signed up again and paid my bill.

On April 28, 2024 I got an email from Verizon thanking me for enrolling in Autopay.

On May 13th, 2024 I got a letter from Verizon telling me I owe $80 ($50 for my monthly internet + $30 for late payment). I am also told that  need to sign up for Autopay, or lose the discount I am being offered.

My account states that I am enrolled in Autopay.

I cannot call Verizon because the telephone number associated with my Internet only account is not the same I use for my phone. When I do call, I am told I am not a customer, goodbye.

I chatted with a Verizon employee who told me Autopay was no reliable, that often banks are busy at the time of the payment (sic), and that my best bet was to get a Verizon credit card. I declined, telling her I did not want another credit card, but she just kept on twisting my arm about this credit card. When I still declined, she told me to go and solve the Autopay issue with my bank.

All my Autopay connections are functional, and have been for years. Why does this one not work? Is that the strategy Verizon uses to push people into getting their credit card? If this is the case, then I will simply cut the cord and get Internet from another provider.

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

We definitely want to make sure you Auto Pay is properly adjusted with the method payment of your preference. We will be glad to help. The following link will provide you with more details. https://www.verizon.com/support/auto-pay-faqs/ ~Geo

[settlingnomad]

Hello!

My account says I am on Autopay, the money just does not leave my bank, and I am charged a $30 late fee...

If Autopay doesn't work, that is Verizon's problem, not mine! Especially after I get a message telling me Autopay has been set up...

Can you reverse the late fee? Can you make sure Autopay is functional?

Thanks!

[SynthpopAddict]

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@settlingnomad wrote:

Hello!

My account says I am on Autopay, the money just does not leave my bank, and I am charged a $30 late fee...

If Autopay doesn't work, that is Verizon's problem, not mine! Especially after I get a message telling me Autopay has been set up...

Can you reverse the late fee? Can you make sure Autopay is functional?

Thanks!

---

I did a little digging around on the Verizon website about this, and if you are a postpaid customer, the only payment methods they accept for autopay is either a debit card payment hooked up to a bank account, or Verizon Visa.  Prepaid customers have more latitude with autopay options.  But if you set up your autopay using a debit card which pulls directly from your bank account, I'd check with your bank just in case there's a glitch on their end with the transactions not going through.

As for contacting Verizon regarding the late charge, see the link below and click on the box for whichever internet service applies to you.  Sadly, a lot of the CS is overseas and if you call the wrong department, they roll you around, sometimes going nowhere with you.  If all else fails, you may have to contact an outside consumer protection agency to get it resolved.

https://www.verizon.com/support/contact-us/#home

[settlingnomad]

Thank you so much for this!!

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey there, settlingnomad, thanks for verifying that your Auto Pay is set up. You mentioned that you signed up for Home Internet. Do you have LTE/5G Home Internet or Fios?

-Lauren

[settlingnomad]

I have home internet only. I would like to see the $30 fee reverted please, I was told "thank you for your payment"! And my bank says they are not the issue...

Thanks!

[vzw_customer_support]

We want to help you with your concern. Is this for a 5G Home account or a Fios account? ~Peter

[Bug_E]

I have to say that I have been on auto pay for years and now have lost discount because I was told only way to continue receiving discount is to apply for their  credit card or input direct access to bank account as debit card is no longer valid for discount. Now tell what is the stinking issue with a debit card that is directly attached to the bank account? I never give consumer businesses direct access to my account due to security concerns. Much better to be able to turn off card if there has been a security breach than completely close an account and open a new one. This is utterly ridiculous and unacceptable. I’m with you poster might be time to find another provider. What a way to treat long time customers.