Has something changed with Verizon (laws, automatically, ATT, virus)

[grannynancy]

I have been a customer with one two year hiatus since 1997

Once in awhile my bill has run late but the only time they ever "threatened" me with disconnect is past 30 days. FWIW I have never ever not once in all those years gone past 45 days. Sometimes though I go 2 weeks, max.

Well today I get an email from an email address that has not been associated with my account for years threatening to disconnect. I call customer support (who does regularly use the email account associated with my account) and they verify the email from verizonwiress@email.vzw.shop.com directing me to the a *different* web page is valid. My call was that I was concerned with phishing.

There was no dire warning of any type when I decided not to follow the links in the email and log into the normal verizon site. There was no email to the address asssociated with my account or text to my phone.

What gives? They said 10 days late and we disconnect. Is that NEW? I paid the bill then they ask me when I am going to pay the balance. YOu know the balance which is not due untile DECEMBER?

I pay my bills. My credit score is 750. My lapses into a late verizon bill are not frequent.

[cheesecurd]

Lately they have insisted I keep my bill paid at least 60 days in advance. I guess they like to get the money fast and way ahead of time. You could just sign up for their auto pay that way you wouldn't have to worry about keeping up the bill on time. They seem to like getting paid 2 months in advance. They never call me about bill matters.

[grannynancy]

Wow-they are already paid in advance as it is.

I guess my most frustrating thing is getting a threat email through an email that was no longer registered on their system (I double checked my profile) and not having any other notification.

I don't trust Verizon or Charter enough to give them direct access to my checking account. I have had too many billing errors with both of them that had to be fixed to do that.

[High_Plains_Retired]

I think many businesses who bill by for their services and/or goods by mail are requiring faster payments. My electric utility, a coop, gets downright nasty in just a day or two when they haven't received their payment by the due date. It's a sign of the times I suppose.

No problems with my Verizon though and I still mail them a check each month. I do make sure they receive the check before the due date though. I never click on any link that is emailed to me unless I check with the source first by telephone.

[grannynancy]

I don't either! Too much out there in the phishing and virus department; something like that comes in and I go to my normal log in. Paypal phishing is the one I seem to get the most.

[peachgeek]

Yea they have gotten a little outrageous. They called me and said I needed to pay or they would terminate my service but the bill wasn't even due yet. I think they have let some people get away with too much as far as payments and now trying to tighten up. I know for a fact that one of my friends had a $2000 bill and did not get her phone service disconnected. This was about 3 years ago.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by grannynancy

I don't trust Verizon or Charter enough to give them direct access to my checking account. I have had too many billing errors with both of them that had to be fixed to do that.

Amen to that. I don't even mail or use checks anymore for this reason. Since the Check21 laws went into effect five or so years ago, once they have your account & routing number (printed along the bottom of your check), it's very easy to make an ACH withdrawal from your account -- accidentally or otherwise.

Paying by credit card is the only way to go. Your issuing bank gives you an extra degree of protection in case the merchant screws up.

As for my account, I pay automatically every month on my credit card. I haven't noticed any changes, but I've never had a late payment.