Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless takes large unauthorized bank payment from Disabled Vet and creates severe hardship leaving him with no food money Internet
I am an unemployed Disabled Vet and have been a customer of Verizon Wireless for decades. My son and I share an account because it is less expensive than 2 separate accounts.
The first of December Verizon turned off my account which was past due by $499.16. I went on their automated phone system and notified them that a payment will be made by the 10th of December. (This was a payment notification, not a payment arrangement).
On Dec 8th a credit card payment of $249.58 was made online by my daughter for the minimum due to restore service (within the payment notification time frame).
On Dec 10th Verizon withdrew another $249.58 from my personal checking account (I do not have AutoPay setup and never have). This was unauthorized and it over-drafted my account by $249.58 plus the overdraft fees totaling $43.46
I contacted Verizon and explained. They have done nothing but pass me from one person to the next. They have committed to have someone call me back on 4 different occasions with no callbacks at all. As of today, Dec 22nd, I called them again and they said the transaction will remain on my account. She did say she would have a supervisor call me back in 15-20 minutes. That was at 11;06am and it is now 12:35pm.
Because of this transaction my bank account will be shut down and I will sent to credit collection. I live on a very modest amount of disability income and I need to be looking for a job. I have no food in the house now and Christmas won't exist at all. I was going to use my next disability deposit to pay for licence tag renewal so I can go job hunting. Now any VA Disability payment will be sucked up to cover the negative balance.
I have been a faithful and loyal customer of Verizon and now I feel they have failed me. They have shown no concern of remorse for their mistake and the hardship is has caused me.
I think this should be grounds to be released from their contract so I can obtain cellular service from another company that is more affordable. I can get the same services from a competitor for $69 per month versus $149 per month from Verizon.
I also think they should be investigated for making unauthorized online payments. I would assume that I am not the only one they have done this to.
If their is anyone out their than can give me some legal advice how to break my contract without penalties, I would appreciate the help.
I will send copies of this post to all TV stations in Atlanta, also to my congressional representatives and any other action groups i can find online. This is an issue of principle. Which seems to a lost in today's consumer marketplace. Companies continue to abuse their customers and get away with it.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Dalex1953
Lynn,Massachusetts,
United States of America
?????
#8General Comment
Fri, January 04, 2013
Just to satisfy my morbid curiosity, how exactly was this issue "resolved to your satisfaction" ???
Micros1207
Hiram,Georgia,
United States of America
Problem resolved by Verizon Wireless
#8Author of original report
Wed, January 02, 2013
After filing with the Better Busines Bureau, Verizon Wireless resolved the issue to my satisfaction.
Mr. S.
United States of AmericaVerizon
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, December 24, 2012
Verizon did this to me once too. I called my bank and told them they never had authorization to access my account,Chase told me because they had my checking account number They could do nothing. Found out this was true. I then filed a complaint to the Consumer affairs and the BBB then all of a sudden the money was sent back. If you rock the boat enough they will bow to the pressure.
Striderq
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Well gee, Josie...
#8General Comment
Sun, December 23, 2012
You finally gave some advice. Not at all connected to the OP but some advice. Most of the people that you complain about live by the advice they give others. Can we expect the same from you??? If you don't like what's written, don't respond. Nah, I bet we hear from you again real soon with nothing of importance in your post.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Golden Meadow,United States of America
2 of the best team rebutt has to offer
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, December 23, 2012
bobby from irvine and kenny, the original copy and paste twin, always has to insult and cut down people. look clowns no one has to answer to you two nor do they have to seek your approval for posting. don't like what's posted??? keep it to yourself.
Ken
Colorado,USA
With "faithful and loyal" customers like you, Verizon doesn't need enemies..
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, December 22, 2012
"The first of December Verizon turned off my account which was past due by $499.16."
" I live on a very modest amount of disability income and I need to be looking for a job. I have no food in the house now and Christmas won't exist at all."
Sounds like you have more phone service than you can afford.
"I am an unemployed Disabled Vet and have been a customer of Verizon Wireless for decades."
What does this have to do with anything?....you were arrears on your account with them.
"I have been a faithful and loyal customer of Verizon and now I feel they have failed me. They have shown no concern of remorse for their mistake and the hardship is has caused me. I think this should be grounds to be released from their contract so I can obtain cellular service from another company that is more affordable."
What legal justification is this to be released from the WRITTEN contract YOU signed?
"I will send copies of this post to all TV stations in Atlanta, also to my congressional representatives and any other action groups i can find online. This is an issue of principle. Which seems to a lost in today's consumer marketplace. Companies continue to abuse their customers and get away with it."
Is it your point that Verizon is "abusing their customers" by requiring them to live up to the terms of the contract they signed? You'll be laughed out of town for the fool you are.
Grow up, stop whining about your Disabled Vet on a limited income status and try to honor your commitments.No, I don't work for Verizon, but do have their service and guess what, no problems with them. Oh and I pay my bill on time EVERY time...maybe that's the difference.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
You are probably stuck.
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, December 22, 2012
The fact that you are an unemployed vet on disability has nothing to do with this. Your problem is that you were almost $500 PAST DUE. At $149/month that is more than 3 months behind.
I have never known any automated system that allows you to specify a payment will be made on a specific date without entering in specific payment information, or confirming you want to use the same method as previously used.
So I would bet that you did in fact made the mistake in and actually did approve a payment to be withdrawn on the 10th. Unfortunately, because you did owe the money, and it wasn't something like an overpayment of a current account the chances of you getting the money back is going to be slim to none.
As for breaking your agreement, again unfortunately since this money was actually due to them and it is very likely that you are the one who made the "mistake" of actually paying your bill. There are really no grounds to leave them without penalty. The best suggestion is to probably contact them and find out what the penalty actually is. If you can really save $80/month. Even if the penalty is $150 in two months you will be ahead..even after penalty.
This is not legal advise, so take it for what you want. But I would imagine that you will find most people telling you basically the same thing. If you find anyone who wants to help you..go for it. But if these same people tell you they will only help you if you pay them fee up front..run the other way.