Complaint Review: Verizon Wireless

If you are reading this post, you are undoubtedly having problems with Verizon’s phone locking policy…

When my son got married, he decided to leave my Verizon Family Plan and establish his own account with a different carrier. Verizon was unwilling to “unlock” his unencumbered phone.

After we spent twelve cumulative hours trying to convince Verizon to release his phone, they refused. My 23 years as a loyal customer carried no sway.

Subsequently, my son was forced to buy a new phone and then filed complaints with the FCC, BBB, and the TN Division of Consumer Affairs. Within days of the FCC complaint,  Verizon’s “Executive Relations” goons sent both of us emails denying his request, making an overt threat: “Verizon will not hesitate to exercise its rights should this be considered an interruption to our business operations.”

The FCC is currently reviewing this “locking” policy (their website is quite helpful) and will rule in the consumers’ favor soon, as they did in 2004 when carriers were mandated to port phone numbers. Phone locking is simply the latest tactic used by Verizon to punish consumers for leaving.

 In the end, the consumer will win, but not without customers like you and me lodging complaints with the FCC, BBB, and state regulatory agencies. I’m sure some enterprising law firm will be granted Class Action status by the courts for the myriad of complaints lodged with the FCC over phone locking (“If Verizon refused to unlock your phone, you may be entitled to compensation!”) 

After the way they treated my son, I decided to leave Verizon (for Mint, which I recommend highly) and discovered that my unencumbered phone was locked as well. Rather than go through that ordeal again, I just bought a new phone and lodged my complaints with the appropriate agencies. As for the threats Verizon’s Executive Relations goons made against my son and me, all I can say is “Bring it.”