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Dont change numbers (or plans) in between billing cycles

Changed my phone number early August, very quick painless process I thought .Last week I began receiving data over usage texts and email alerts from VZ. Checked my usage on my phone and online, I was only 1/2 way through my data allotment for the month with one week to go. Called they told me I was being prorated over usage charges cause I changed my number in between billing cycles (and Im still only 1/2 way through my data plan )

Comments

crelin

Yes - usage based changes during a bill cycle will prorate the costs and allowance for both the previous and new plan/features which can be quite confusing and potentially costly (inadvertant overages). A good rule of thumb is if you are going up in allowance to backdate the change to the beginning of the current bill cycle and if you are going down in allowance to futuredate the change to the beginning of the next bill cycle.

Keep in mind though that if you are going over your prorated allowance then it is possible your current rate of usage would lead to overages anyways for the plan/feature you selected in the future.

Example: If you change from a 4gb plan to a 2gb plan 15 days into the bill cycle then you will be refunded for half of the 4gb plan and charged instead for half of the 2gb plan. It also only gives you 2gb for the first half of the month (half of 4gb) and 1gb for the second half of the month (half of the 2gb plan). If you use more than 1gb for the second half of the month (going over your prorated allowance) then your rate of usage suggests you could ultimately use more than 2gb for an entire month - therefore you may want to rethink if the 2gb plan is actually a good plan for you.

june1234

Thx. My current plan plan is 8gb. I don't need to get alert messages for going over when I am clearly not over just because I got a new number in mid plan and forgot to select this option or that option online which in my case I never thought to look for since the VZ rep who was helping me did not mention it and I already know(when I do this over phone) that if I go over I can upgrade but if I'm under I cannot .The only reasons I'm still with VZ is they don't drop calls like other carriers, get signals where others wont and customer service. I don't need to jump through loops over a silly number change.

crelin

A number change would prorate the data as well. If you're receiving alert messages then yes, you most likely HAVE gone over your prorated data amount and should look into upping it before the end of the cycle to avoid overages. It would be nice though for Verizon to show your prorated data allowance with systems such as #DATA and My Verizon to make it easier.

june1234

Agreed. My view is I should not have to concern myself with data alert messages when Im at 50% of my allowance , number or any other changes i may make during billing cycle. I doubt Im the only one who feels this way

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