From the article: "Imagine: if my one account has 1 to 3 bogus $1.99 charges per month for data that I don't download, how much are they making from their 87 million other customers?"




"SIXTY-NINE!!!"

Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: From the article: "Imagine: if my one account has 1 to 3 bogus $1.99 charges per month for data that I don't download, how much are they making from their 87 million other customers?"

"SIXTY-NINE!!!"

This article was EXCELLENT

Ahh verizon. The company who refused to look into the problem with my landline when I had a radio station playing over it. Then they billed me for a month of service after I moved to another house in the same city (with no phone service, TYVM, cellphone only in 2001, before it was fashionable). So for the longest time they claimed I owed them $49.95. Then one year they decided I owed them $99.90, but they'd settle for half at $49.95.

I hope they all die in a fire

Not surprising... in one of my old houses, we had Verizon for Internet and phone. We canceled -- even after meeting their requirements -- and they continued to bill us, even though we proved repeatedly that we had transferred the phone number to Optimum Online.

Also, people up here who have Verizon phones pay more for limited plans than I do for my 100% unlimited calling, texting, and data plan for my Sprint phone.

Barakku: Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: From the article: "Imagine: if my one account has 1 to 3 bogus $1.99 charges per month for data that I don't download, how much are they making from their 87 million other customers?"

"SIXTY-NINE!!!"

This article was EXCELLENT

It was most non-non-NON-heinous!

Dammit, if Rufus was still alive, this sheeot wouldn't happen.

// Verizon, when my ex-Alltel contract expires in May, do you *really* think
I'll consider you?????

Regulation is for the weak. Make sure your government is as small and powerless as possible, and have fun with the card sharks.

I stopped reading early on in this one. They reduce the early termination fee by $10 a month but after 2 years it's still $110 dollars... Um after 2 years isn't your contract up? Seems like a case of someone extrapolating where they shouldn't be.

/I love my Droid.

Can someone photoshop the Verizon idiot in front of a firing squad with the caption "Can you hear us now"?

Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: Barakku: Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: From the article: "Imagine: if my one account has 1 to 3 bogus $1.99 charges per month for data that I don't download, how much are they making from their 87 million other customers?"

"SIXTY-NINE!!!"

This article was EXCELLENT

It was most non-non-NON-heinous!

Strange things are afoot at the Verizon store

Looks like the only solution until they 'fix' this cash cow (lol) is to have everyone call and block this feature, which will also cost them customer service $$$$s

why do we keep posting articles from the NYT? isn't it in the FArQ to not use sites that require registration?

If I'm not mistaken, AT&T has a similar practice. Many times on my Blackjack, I accidentally hit a key (usually when it's in my pocket) and it opens up the browser to a default AT&T page. I quickly try to close the page, but my last bill had an enormous amount of data charges which, I imagine, were mostly the result of this.

Wow, 87 million people are gluttons for punishment.

/T-Mobile since they were VoiceStream

maxximillian: I stopped reading early on in this one. They reduce the early termination fee by $10 a month but after 2 years it's still $110 dollars... Um after 2 years isn't your contract up? Seems like a case of someone extrapolating where they shouldn't be.

/I love my Droid.

That's the only part I have a problem with (also DNR all of TFA). This cannot be possible. I have no problem with jacked up early termination rates as they make their money off of the plan and not off the phone.

this article is false, its much more than one keystroke to get to get it now, and you have to look around on mobile web to get data charges, the first page doesnt cost anything for this specific reason..... I know verizon screws people but this article is wrong.

I have at&t but my contract ends in Feb. I'm switching to Verizon so that my phone will actually work. Hoping to get the droid.

This article just made me appreciate Sprint. Huh.

robxiii: Looks like the only solution until they 'fix' this cash cow (lol) is to have everyone call and block this feature, which will also cost them customer service $$$$s

The article says that even then it doesn't disable the keys, and instead of connecting it sends you a message saying that the service is blocked... but still charges $1.99 for the data.

It's called: GOTCHA MARKETING!
Gotta love it.

Goimir: Ahh verizon. The company who refused to look into the problem with my landline when I had a radio station playing over it. Then they billed me for a month of service after I moved to another house in the same city (with no phone service, TYVM, cellphone only in 2001, before it was fashionable). So for the longest time they claimed I owed them $49.95. Then one year they decided I owed them $99.90, but they'd settle for half at $49.95.

I hope they all die in a fire

two separate companies, dont fling mud unless you have your facts straight, verizon communications =/= verizon wireless

Chase does this shiat with overdraft fees on my bank account. They hold back processing all my $2 charges till Im low, then wham them at once so I get multiple $35 overdraft charges. Like $300 for $40 over.

isn't upping the fee a change in the contract thus allowing you the option to cancel your contract with them?

Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: From the article: "Imagine: if my one account has 1 to 3 bogus $1.99 charges per month for data that I don't download, how much are they making from their 87 million other customers?"

"SIXTY-NINE!!!"

Greatest thing I have ever seen on the internet.

My enV2 LOVES to do this. The front keypad has a lock feature, but even that doesn't stop it. I'll pull my phone out of my pocket and find I'm sitting in the VCast Music menu, eating minutes.

Seriously, still with the registration?

And slideshows?

Harrumph.

Net 10. Cheap. Disposable. Works.

organizm: Chase does this shiat with overdraft fees on my bank account. They hold back processing all my $2 charges till Im low, then wham them at once so I get multiple $35 overdraft charges. Like $300 for $40 over.
learn to keep track of your own farking money, dont expect someone that is making money off your inability to manage your finances to call you up, you went overdraft, its your fault, man up and pay your fees

It took me seven calls in the past two days to get my AT&T credit card number switched on their auto-pay system. Hours on hold, disconnect transfers, etc.

Due to the massive black hole of SUCK that is AT&T customer service, I will ditch my iPhone, which I do like, after its two year mandatory contract expires. I was stupid for signing up, I know.

Thanks for the Verizon warning, subby!

Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: Barakku: Toshiro Mifune's Letter Opener: From the article: "Imagine: if my one account has 1 to 3 bogus $1.99 charges per month for data that I don't download, how much are they making from their 87 million other customers?"

"SIXTY-NINE!!!"

This article was EXCELLENT

It was most non-non-NON-heinous!

It was the goddamn evil robot us's

organizm: Chase does this shiat with overdraft fees on my bank account. They hold back processing all my $2 charges till Im low, then wham them at once so I get multiple $35 overdraft charges. Like $300 for $40 over.

People still get overdraft fees?

/credit unions ftw

Oh, true story about Verizon. I opened up my small business in August and signed up for phone and Internet for $80 a month. First months bill: $675. Crazy charge. And fees for god knows what.

Swear to god.

I'm still fighting them on it. If I wasn't locked into a two year contract I'd be outta here fast.

I'll just bet there's at least one State Attorney General out to make a name for himself who'd love to respond to complaints over this business practice. "Can you sue us now?"

What? I've had Verizon for around 10 years. I seriously have never had any extra charges. Before that some local f'ers company I had (I can't remember who anymore, sorry) charged me like $280 for a ten minute call. I was in FT. Monmoth (sp?), NJ and talking to my wife (ex now) in Brigantine. That's gouging.

Verizon hasn't ever charged me anything I didn't expect. Even when my phone said roaming, I've never been charged. From the Golden Road in Maine, to Rollins Pass in Colorado. Never, ever been charged roaming.

Yes, There's cheaper plans. T-Mobile, and AT&T coverage suck around my place. I don't have a home phone, don't need one. The bit extra I pay for really good coverage is worth it to me.

/And I love my droid, too

Shenanigans.

organizm: Chase does this shiat with overdraft fees on my bank account. They hold back processing all my $2 charges till Im low, then wham them at once so I get multiple $35 overdraft charges. Like $300 for $40 over.

Yes, I'm sure they're the ones holding back on processing the charge because you spent too much money and not the issuing bank of the merchant...

I don't agree with overdraft fees(Or worse yet, "low balance fees"), but perhaps keeping better track of your spending would save you a lot of hassle...

organizm: Oh, true story about Verizon. I opened up my small business in August and signed up for phone and Internet for $80 a month. First months bill: $675. Crazy charge. And fees for god knows what.

Swear to god.

I'm still fighting them on it. If I wasn't locked into a two year contract I'd be outta here fast.

that didnt happen unless you talked to much/text without a text plan/or data without a data plan, again, dont blame companies that make money off your ineptitude for making money. be smart with corporations, check everything you sign and this wont happen.

90supraT: organizm: Chase does this shiat with overdraft fees on my bank account. They hold back processing all my $2 charges till Im low, then wham them at once so I get multiple $35 overdraft charges. Like $300 for $40 over.
learn to keep track of your own farking money, dont expect someone that is making money off your inability to manage your finances to call you up, you went overdraft, its your fault, man up and pay your fees

Actually, I had transferred money in that day. Chase held the transfer for a day, then processed all these $2 parking charges that had been pending for a week. Then put my money in, THEN hit me with $300 in overdraft fees, taking my money right back out.

I have friends who work for Chase. Its all very intentional.

Verizon = devil

Any further questions?

90supraT: organizm: Oh, true story about Verizon. I opened up my small business in August and signed up for phone and Internet for $80 a month. First months bill: $675. Crazy charge. And fees for god knows what.

Swear to god.

I'm still fighting them on it. If I wasn't locked into a two year contract I'd be outta here fast.

that didnt happen unless you talked to much/text without a text plan/or data without a data plan, again, dont blame companies that make money off your ineptitude for making money. be smart with corporations, check everything you sign and this wont happen.

Jackass. It was for a landline phone and Internet. We hadn't even opened yet. We hadn't used either. You wanna see my bill?

howdoibegin: Regulation is for the weak. Make sure your government is as small and powerless as possible, and have fun with the card sharks.

Does Verizon have police powers or an army? Can one switch governments if they decide the services rendered aren't worth the taxes forcibly taken?

Careful about who you let get too big.

thats verizon communications, not the same company.

i have sprint and i had to cancel everything that wasnt regular phone calls and texting because just by apparently receiving picture mail, i was receiving data charges.

i had free picture mail.

but what the hell are data charges?

they wouldnt tell me.

/fark sprint.
//fark phones and communication.
///BAH!

srtpointman: I have at&t but my contract ends in Feb. I'm switching to Verizon so that my phone will actually work. Hoping to get the droid.

I've got it and love it. My first smartphone! I had a couple of minor annoyances (a few basic functions are TOTALLY non-intuitive, the volume button is too easy to accidentally hit) but overall it rocks.

As far as TFA goes, I've had Verizon for 8 years now and I have no major complaints (other than the fact that it's expensive, but I do have the data plan on there now, so that's part of it.)

I'll only marginally trust a phone company if/when their logo looks like this...

And even then I would be skeptical. Cell phone companies are EVIL, MONEY-GRUBBING mongers. Too bad I cant do without my Blackberry...Its a disease. :(

Hmm....Perhapse Drew cold charge per preview. Mo posts wood look likke thees.

Guardian996: Verizon = devil

Any further questions?

They are no worse than other companies. I'm on Verizon now, and pay $10 a month for my cell phone, same as others. It's called pay-as-you-go, and that gets me 40 phone calls a month. That assumes a phone call lasts a minute or less, and most of mine do. I am usually within reach of a land line, and I am not a girl.

Just got a certified letter pickup notice on my door from them, think it has something to do with the FCC complaint I filed against them a few months back. The complaint went a long ways towards getting my problems resolved, now if i could just get them to stop phoning me kissing my ass.

bmihura: It took me seven calls in the past two days to get my AT&T credit card number switched on their auto-pay system. Hours on hold, disconnect transfers, etc.

Due to the massive black hole of SUCK that is AT&T customer service, I will ditch my iPhone, which I do like, after its two year mandatory contract expires. I was stupid for signing up, I know.

Thanks for the Verizon warning, subby!

Obviously you haven't dealt with any other Teleco.

I love how Verizon told me I had internet for 3 weeks (2 months after I swapped service; long story, moving across country), and then wanted to charge me 250 for tech callout fee (after 2 hours on the phone system each time), when my apt. maintenance guy was able to fix it in like 5 minutes.

They never bothered to actually check my apt. to the junction box. Which apparently is my fault, and requires me to pay them.

Verizon also didn't advise me of the limits of my plan, after I specifically asked; useage shows I have very obvious up/down limits, not to mention the monthly totals.

ATT at least was honest enough to tell me how many Gigs a month I could use without getting hosed.