Text Fraud by Verizon

[rehuie]

We added unlimited texting to my sons phone.  In spite of this, we were just billed an extra $310 for his text messages.  When we called Verizon we were informed that the plan really did not cover unlimited texting, but only a limited subset of text messages - those to other Verizon phones.  In other words, it is pretty close to useless. By using the term "unlimited" for a highly limited program, Verizon is committing fraud.

[budone]

It could be the charge is for texts made PRIOR to the change. If you do have the unlimited plan (Not a plan that allows unlimited to only Verizon subscribers) they may still be able to Backdate the change to cover the text msgs prior to the change.

[acraftylady]

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rehuie wrote:

We added unlimited texting to my sons phone.  In spite of this, we were just billed an extra $310 for his text messages.  When we called Verizon we were informed that the plan really did not cover unlimited texting, but only a limited subset of text messages - those to other Verizon phones.  In other words, it is pretty close to useless. By using the term "unlimited" for a highly limited program, Verizon is committing fraud.

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We have unlimited on our family share plan and never get charged extra and my son sends a lot of texts so maybe you have unlimited from verizon to verizon only?  Call and ask what plan they added.  Mary

[rehuie]

They stated that the plan was unlimited for moble to moble.  Later they informed me that they don't use English but, rather, Verizon-speak, in which moble means Verizon.  {word filter avoidance}

[acraftylady]

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rehuie wrote:

They stated that the plan was unlimited for moble to moble.  Later they informed me that they don't use English but, rather, Verizon-speak, in which moble means Verizon.  {word filter avoidance}

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Yes mobile to mobile means verizon to verizon.  Tell them that's not the plan you want.  I don't know I checked online with verizon first to see the texting plans and knew what I wanted when I went in to add it so that helped.  Mary

[spottedcatfish]

Only trust what you HEAR from a Verizon rep if they are willing to hand it to you in writing.  Make them show you the page on the website, or the clause in your contract that specifies what they are saying.  Verizon reps are woefully undertrained and interested in making a sale over educating a customer.  They will tell you what they think you want to hear to make a sale happen, and nothing else.

There are 4 texting plans available:

Pay per text

$5/month for 250 messages

$10/month for 500 messages plus unlimited messages to/from Verizon mobiles

$20/month for unlimited messages

If you are on a family plan, you can also pay $30/month for unlimited messages for all lines on your plan.

In the future, ALWAYS confirm any plan changes through MyVerizon and cross-reference what you are told with the official material/plan descriptions in your contract and on the Verizon website, or you're likely to get screwed. 

For right now, call CS at *611 and see if they can backdate the unlimited mobile plan to the start of the billing cycle in which you racked up all those charges.

[sadie85]

There is also a $15 for unlimited Verizon to Verizon and 1500 out of network.

Even though his/her's view is negative in nature, spottedcatfish is right, you should know what's out there before calling. For everything in life, be an informed consumer. I think I've been able to pretty much find everything out from the website and just use customer service as a way of confirming information. You should also check the account online after any changes are made. I usually get a letter in the mail about a change as well. With any company with a call center you're going to get good reps and you're going to get bad, just have to take it as it comes and make sure you get what you needed (within reason of course!) Even if you get a good rep, you should still check the changes, after all everyone makes mistakes...

[spottedcatfish]

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sadie85 wrote:

There is also a $15 for unlimited Verizon to Verizon and 1500 out of network.

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Sadie, just for other's information, I can't find that plan on the website when I go through my own plan to make changes, or when I start a new plan.  Is that a grandfathered plan or just a "loyalty"-type plan that you have to ask for directly to get it?

[acraftylady]

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spottedcatfish wrote:

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sadie85 wrote:

There is also a $15 for unlimited Verizon to Verizon and 1500 out of network.

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Sadie, just for other's information, I can't find that plan on the website when I go through my own plan to make changes, or when I start a new plan.  Is that a grandfathered plan or just a "loyalty"-type plan that you have to ask for directly to get it?

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This thread says that plan was removed in February so I guess it's granfathered but call them and ask.  Mary

[stormchaser03]

i just left att for vzw,i signed up for the 5.00 text package,both the store rep.and a call to c.s.

told me i could text my wife (still on att) and it would come out of my text package,not charged

extra.