NEED HELP - Text Messages showing up hours later and no more notifications

[SnowXTC]

Up until about 3 weeks ago, I was very in love with my S3 as it worked perfectly.  Then about 3 weeks ago (March 12 or so) I started receiving my text messages hours or days after they were sent.  We then went to Canada for a week and I had no mobile data.  The issue with my messaging continued, except now I rarely get a notification when I get them.  I have been back a week and it has gotten worse.  The messages seem to come all at one time once or twice a day, there is no notification when they come, and I am occasionally missing messages.  It does not matter who the messages are from.  I have rebooted the phone multiple times.  I have tried using Handcent SMS instead of the default messaging application to no avail.

Is there something going on with Verizon Text messages?

Is there another place to go besides the following to set notifications?

Messaging

Menu

Settings

Notifications

Check everything, Default Ringtone, and Alert Once

Since this started before we went to Canada, I do not think that was the cause.  Although, there were several times that I got the message Updating Sim Card information when we were there and I had the wrong time a lot of the time.

Please Help!!

[SnowXTC]

So today I go to send a text and get one from last night.  Don't get the sound but it did show up on my notification bar.  I sent the text and realized my clock was off by an hour.  I went into settings, Date/Time and both are set to Automatic, but for some reason it is showing Central Time Zone.  I uncheck Automatic Time Zone and set it to Mountain Time Zone, exit Settings, and perform a Shut-Down.  Pull the battery, Sim Card, and SD Card and reboot the phone.  Go back into Date/Time and reset it Automatic.  This time it stays in the Mountain Time Zone.

Could I possibly need a new Sim Card?

Please Help.  I really do not have time to go wait in line for an hour at the Verizon store for them to tell me that they will have to look into it and then not get back to me for a few weeks, if at all.

Thank you.

[SnowXTC]

I have more to add.....   Handcent SMS seems to be working now and giving me notifications since I told it to get all my roaming messages.  However, I really like the default messaging on my S3.  I have tried to get it to work by turning roaming on as well, but to no avail.  So what did Verizon do to my account to make it think that it is now roaming when I am at home. 

How do I fix this?  How do I tell them what to fix?

I have seen Verizon techs answer on this forum.  Come on, I need help.

[Ann154]

Yes, there are VZW employees who occasionally roam the forum and respond to questions. Their response isn't guaranteed nor is it immediate.

[Ann154]

You can certainly try a new SIM card. Before going that route, I would first call customer service from another phone and ask for them to reset your text message feature from their side