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Report: #183326

Report: Verizon Wireless

Reported By: (Gloversville New York)

Verizon Wireless ripoff, Dishonest Fraudulent Billing Rochester New York

... Where do some of these people come from?

8Author 4Consumer 3Employee

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Verizon Wireless

133 Calkins Road
Rochester New York 14623
U.S.A.
Phone: 800-922-0204
Web Address:

Category: Cellular Phone Companies

Submitted: Sunday, March 26, 2006

Last posting: Friday, October 24, 2008

I signed a two year contract with Verizon Wireless which offered 400 free anytime minutes, free weekends and nights,all for $39.95 plus applicable taxes.

Upon receiving my very first billing, Verizon had added multiple fraudulent charges. I immediately contacted them and was told the billing "error" would be corrected. It was not and this continued for over six months. Verizon illegally interrupted service because I refused to pay the fraudulent charges. Without hesitation, I believe this constitutes "BREECH OF CONTRACT"!

The very next step was a complaint to the FCC regarding the above issue. The FCC informed Verizon to immediately re-instate my service and make restitution for all fraudulent charges.

In a retaliation to this criminal practice, Verizon then started interrupting my service at various intervals and denied doing so. My phone would indicate service interrupted. I had the phone inspected at a Verizon booth in the area mall and was informed the phone was not the problem however, the service was somehow interrupted. This confirmed my allegations.

Verizon is now attempting to bill me for service since November of 2005 even though my service was terminated and I had filed a report with our State Attorney General. I continue to get notices from the Attorney General that Verizon has been uncoperative! They also informed me they get numerous complaints daily regarding these issues of fraudulent billing.To laugh in the face of the law, Verizon has also the nerve to add a $175.00 early termination fee! They "Breech" the contract the first month of service therefore I believe I never had a contract beyond that point! They are just outright criminals,period!!!

I might suggest to everyone who has this carrier to re-check their bills as they have probably been over billed!!! If so, report it immediately to both your attorney general and the FCC!!

I am also seriously disabled with RSD and a heart condition which required medical intervention in August of 2005. I needed my phone to call for emergency help and these "Reptilian Bastards" continued to play their fraudulent criminal acts knowing everything I have just stated!!!!

My next step is my state and federal representatives to rien in the "cell phone" criminals!!!!! Help me by calling or writing your representatives as legislation is long over due regarding cell phone carriers!!!!!!!

Verizon Wireless appears to be head quarted at:

P.O. Box 17120

Tucson, AZ 85731

Dennis
Gloversville, New York
U.S.A.

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:

8Author 4Consumer 3Employee

Update By Author

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Changing your contract dates

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, March 26, 2006 POSTED: Sunday, March 26, 2006

I would also like to add to my rip-off report that Verizon did attempt tp scam me with the "everytime you call they change your contract date!

Sorry Verizon, but my signature appears on only one contract and that is the one I intend to sue you for!!!!You breeched our contract the first month of existance and I am holding you 100% liable for your actions!!! I have damages you can't even begin to contemplate! SEE YOU IN COURT VERIZON!!!!

After reading many complaints here today, I would like to ask folks to get together and we can retain an attorney to start a "CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" against these corporate criminals!

Consumer Comment

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no breech of contract

Sheep - Meriden (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Saturday, June 10, 2006 POSTED: Saturday, June 10, 2006

Actually, the contract agreement states that any charges that are billed have to be paid (even if credits are pending) or the line will be shut off.

Also, it's not possible to "turn off" service to the phone- to prevent it from recieving a signal. If the service is interrupted, the phone will still get a signal- if the phone's not getting a signal, there is either a problem with the equipment or the network.

In addition, straight from the FCC web site:
"I'm having billing problems with my cellular provider; who can help me?

The FCC does not regulate contractual arrangements with cellular providers, but does handle complaints about wireless service"
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cellular.html#billing

Also by signing your contract you agreed to waive your right to sue and you agreed to arbitration. You'll find that out if you actually do try to sue.
I read my contract.

Consumer Suggestion

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Service interrrupted... can you explain a little more

April - Big Stone Gap (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, June 11, 2006 POSTED: Sunday, June 11, 2006

I don't work for Verizon but I do work for another wireless carrier. When you say your phone at different intervals would say service interrupted. Do you mean on the screen of the phone it would say this, or do you mean when you tried to place a call it would say this. Many wireless users believe if there is a network issue or if there is an issue with their phone that their service has been interrupted by the carrier. Sounds to me like you were simply experiencing times of network outages or simple phone issues instead of your service being interrupted.

Ex-Employee

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Tower service records

Kate - Toledo (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Saturday, July 15, 2006 POSTED: Saturday, July 15, 2006

If you really believe your service is being interrupted deliberately, I would re-contact the FCC on your original complaint and let them know that retaliatory action has happened as a result of your filing the original complaint.

Your cell service and dropped calls are recorded. Those records can be subpeona'd I would think. That you can ask the FCC or an attorney.

I can see why you think that they WOULD fool around with your service - but truth be told they have so many people so infuriated with them that they'd need an army to intervene in the services. It's all automated. It may be that your local towers need to be serviced. One of the first thing Verizon did in my area when they took over was to fire most of the tower engineers. :-) So much for customer service.

Update By Author

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Verizon is a criminal enterprise-period!

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, September 10, 2006 POSTED: Sunday, September 10, 2006

On the comment that suggest Verizon cannot "shut off" service is wrong! If that were the case why is it when you purchase a phone do you have to call the cell provider to "activate" your line?
They absolutely have the ability to control your service as my wife's cousin is retired from the industry and will be one of my prime witnesses against Verizon!

Another scam they use is everytime you call them regarding issues with your account they inform you your two year contract is being renewed from the date you called with a complaint! NOT LEGALLY binding because the only contract which would have your signature would be the one you would be legally liable for.

They also incorporated a clause dismissing your right to sue and use arbitration instaed which is weighted in their favor! WRONG!
That would not apply to breech of contract because a breech automatically would void the contract therefore dismissing their clause of arbitration. Numerous attorneys are filing suits against these Reptilian Bastards!!

MY ADVICE: Stay clear of VERIZON and any of its subsidaries!!!

I have a new provider that is what they said it would be, get service everywhere with a few exceptions, and their billing is what the contract stated!!!

I have two words for Verizon but I can't post it here! Four more go like this VERIZON::::: SEE YOU IN COURT!!!

Employee

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"Fraudulent charges"

Sam - Blackstone (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 POSTED: Tuesday, September 12, 2006

I am a trainer with the company and have studied many bills. I do not recall ever seeing any "fraudulent" charges on anyone's bill. I understand your concern for charges on your bill that you do not understand and many customers call us in regards to said charges and were explained exactly what they were and why they were there. What were the titles of the "Fraudulent" charges on your bill? I would watch how you use the word "Criminals" in regards to this company as it might be concieved as slander which IS an illegal offence. The interruption of service is completely autimated and no human can actually disconnect a persons service due to non payment. Ask me any questions you would like and I will do my best to answer them.

Update By Author

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Update- January 2007

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, January 12, 2007 POSTED: Friday, January 12, 2007

I'm sure the "no breech of contract" is a Verizon insert! I have spoken with an attorney that has research my situation and has confirmed a "breech of contract" by Verizon.
The folks who have made comments regarding service interruption I would like to say that ALL CELL PHONE PROVIDERS have the capability to turn on and off your service! Remember the day you signed up? What did you have to do? Oh yeah, call an 800 number to "ACTIVATE" your service????? These companies enter what they want to into computer servers and anything can be accomplished regarding YOUR phone service! Why is it I did not experience any of my problems before this issue came to light if the carrier is incapable of playing games with your service?

I had my phone checked by one of Verizons OWN sores and told the phone was FINE and it was the SERVICE that was the problem?????

Just to confirm my allegations regarding Verizon I would like the readers here to know that after harassing me with "NUMEROUS" credit collectors-(that by the way after hearing my side of the story never contacted me again) Verizon filed a credit bureau report against my credit. To make a long story short, the credit bureaus REMOVED their claims against me from my credit report as "unsupported"!!!

I just want those who read this to know that Verizon is one company to avoid like the plague!!! I have changed carriers, been with them for a year now, and am very satisfied with my service and billing!

Consumer Suggestion

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Many cusotmers MISUNDERSTAND their first bill.....

M - Winston Salem (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Saturday, January 13, 2007 POSTED: Saturday, January 13, 2007

When people go to activate new phones with Verizon, they MISUNDERSTAND their first bill, then they assume that Verizon is charging them fraudulently. I used to work for another wireless carrier in the billing department, so I know how to read bills VERY well.

To begin, there are a few things that customers don't realize are added to their first Verizon bill.

1) Verizon charges up to a $35 activation fee PER PHONE that is activated. This is added to the FIRST bill and NOT included in the price that you pay for your phone (which is usually FREE if you sign up for a 2 year agreement....UNLESS you buy accessories for your phone).

2) Verizon automatically bills ONE MONTH worth of your plan amount, PLUS a prorated amount of service based on your billing cycle date, NOT your due date. For instance, my Verizon bill DUE DATE is the 11th of each month, but my actual BILLING CYCLE DATE is actually the 16th of each month. So on my first bill, I had the prorate for 11th - 16th PLUS 1 month regular service.

3) When you first buy your phone, your first bill is NOT due until your 2nd due date, which may be almost 2 months away. I started service w/ Verizon on 02/22/2005, my first bill wasn't due until 04/11/2005. It included the following charges:

- 2 x $35 activation fees = $70
- prorate from 02/22/2005 thru 03/16/2005
- monthly service for 2 months (they add in 1 month billed in advance for your plan)

Total FIRST bill was around $200 - $250 (I can't remember the exact amount anymore...it's been over 2 years ago).

Because I knew this would happen, I paid $100 upfront toward my first bill.

If you read the receipt that you receive when you first activate your service, it contains ALL of this information. What tends to happen is that most customers do NOT read that information and are happy that they got a "FREE phone".

I'm not necessarily saying that this happened with you, but it's quite common and is the MOST COMMON complaint that I hear about.

Update By Author

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Jan. 16, 2007 update

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 POSTED: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

The woman who wrote from Winston Salem, NC would probably be correct if she was referring to someone with an IQ of 6 however, that is not the case here!

I am well educated and work with numbers daily for the past 35 years in my employment. I am more than qualified to comprehend billing cycles, hidden charges, etc. I read the contract in detail before signing.

I objected to the "arbitration" clause these questionable corporations ALL put in their business contracts these days-however, they will not sign you up unless you agree! Where are our HIGHLY OVERPAID LEGISLATORS whose job it is to write laws governing these activities by Corporate America?

Now you can understand why Toyota is going to take 40% share of the automobile market this year! ALL of America's corporations are going to FALL due to their unscrupulous business practices! We are the number ONE hated country in the world! Ask yourself why??????

Verizon is one of those companies to stay away from and have no business deals what-so-ever!!!!

#10

Consumer Suggestion

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Wow, you got that one WRONG.....

M - Winston Salem (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 POSTED: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

I'm sorry Dennis, but you were WRONG. I am NOT a woman. It seems to me that whenever you think someone is wrong, it's most likely MUST be a WOMAN. Don't tell you wife that though.

Anyways, I always think it's interesting how often a person complains about "fraudulent billing", but I HARDLY ever see an actual bill posted on the site. A Verizon employee even replied and asked to "see the bill" and still we see no posting of the bill. Talk about "unsupported".

#11

Employee

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Hmm

Anthony - Kent (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, February 09, 2007 POSTED: Friday, February 09, 2007

First of all, the " everytime you call your contract is extended " who told you that? Thats bogus... the only time your contract is extended when you call is if your changing your pricing plan from an old platform to a new one or from national to local or vise versa, One the contract is extended you are sent a CONFIRMATION PACKAGE in the mail, it is sent to the address that you recieve your bills at EVERY SINGLE MONTH! I find it funny how it's always so convinient that people recieve there bills every month and can call to figure them out but THEY NEVER!!! NEVER , recieve there confirmation packages... convinient. So here's the TRICK, u cannot sue verizon wireless at least at this point... Becuase u agreed to ONLY arbitrate and at that point if the Arbitration hearing is not mutually acceptable you gotta jump through about 200 hoops to eventually sue, but it'll just cost to much to end up sueing, and u may as well just settle in arbitration, so read your contract's ... any one ever say READ WHAT YOU SIGN, cause if you did most of you wouldn't be in this situation, and beside the point VERIZOn wireless credit's for alot of mistakes MADE by the consumer, I work in the CEQ department, and I credit mistakes that are not even our company's mistakes pretty much all day, all i do is look over account's with pending credit requests and it's amazing what verizon lets us credit.

If you get the right call center and not some bogus ACS center you may actually get your issues handled. As for home boy that his phone keeps " mysteriousely " shutting off or going out of service, ... its not possible they could be doing routine maintenance to your towers, they could be replacing it, they could have torn it down completely, therefore causing a dip in your BGSA ( Banded geographical service area ) someone could have installed a new repeater next to you therefore its cutting your service out at times, there are many more posiibility's... but I assure you verizon wireless has alot better things to do then " Secretly " shut down your phone to mess with you.

#12

Update By Author

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This company is still at it's crooked policies! BEWARE!!!!!!

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Saturday, August 23, 2008 POSTED: Saturday, August 23, 2008

I left this company and went elsewhere to which we have had excellent service and absolutely not one single billing issue!
You don't have to take my word for it because there are numerous reports on this same site making identical claims as I have posted.
VERIZON WIRELESS IS A BAD NEWS COMPANY!!!! BEWARE AND STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!!
I have talked to so many people who experienced exactly what I did with these crooks! If you have a dispute with them, they revert to "BULLYING" tactics-if you let them get away with it! They tried it with me but I stood up to them and would take them to court on my complaint in a heartbeat!

#13

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Verizon is right? Why so many reports all similar in nature?

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 24, 2008 POSTED: Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sam, I see you're a Verizon employee so dedicated that you would actually come to this website and write rebuttals for the company? Brownie Points??? What???
If you're so right and everyone else is wrong, why then are there so many reports not only here but with every state consumer protection board, attorney generals, etc my friend? Everyone of the complaints nearly identical in consumer complaint?
The answer Sam, you haven't got a clue as to what the hell you're mumbling about! You also can't be sued Sam for stating fact! I have done my homework Sam, and I have the facts to back up my claims! Verizon doesn't have the kyonies to take me to court because they know they're wrong, know they'll lose, and know I'll sue them bigtime!
Verizon Wireless is on borrowed time until a class action suit puts them in their place!

#14

Update By Author

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Where do some of these people come from?

Dennis - Gloversville (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, October 24, 2008 POSTED: Friday, October 24, 2008

ANTHONY from Kent, WA! Just for the record I'm not your "Homeboy"! Where did you get your legal degree-at Verizon?
My attorney informed me when a contract is breeched it is basically "NULL AND VOID"! I therefore have the legal right to take any action I so desire against VERIZON! If you had done your homework before preaching ignorance, you would have found that in California there is a HUGE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT going on right now as we speak- all inclussive accross the entire US! The suit is in reference to all the claims and complaints listed here on RIP OFF REPORTS!
Bogus billing, service interruptions, contract extentions, among numerous others!
As for the record Anthony, you're just a VERIZON ROBOT---programed by Verizon to do as Verizon tells you to do! You don't have to use your brain and make consciencious decisions of RIGHT OR WRONG--- because you are programed by VERIZON to do as they say! I know from my sources that VERIZON employees have daily quotas and therefore handle whatever their task is by the rules VERIZON has set so they can move on to the next complaint or whatever as quickly as possible and process millions of these daily! YOU"RE JUST A ROBOT!