Verizon Wireless Latest Scam Unauthorized Cell Phone Data Charges Basking Ridge New Jersey

I signed up with Verizon Wireless about 2 years ago, which is when I also purchased a new smart phone. Since I didn't know much about all the services available, I set up my account for a standard voice plan and extra package for additional text messages.

I was very happy until recently when I decided to increase the minutes in my plan. The next thing that happens is I see a $70 charge on my bill that was NOT part of my new plan NOR it was a charge I had authorized. When I contacted the customer service and querried the charge, I was told that this was a data charge and there was nothing they could do. I explained to them in great length that I had no history of using any data or any way of using data as my phone does not have anyway of accessing data that I dont even know how to use data. All this made no difference. The CSR had no intention of reversing the $70 unauthorized charge. When I asked for a supervisor, I was told there was no supervisor available. As I had to get back to work, I had to terminate the call.

I then called a little later and went thru the whole thing with another CSR. The response was the same. When I asked for a supervisor, I was told the same thing that a supervisor was not avaiilable.

The second month, I was charged again. This means that Verizon Wireless was arbitrarily charging me an extra $70 approximately per biling cycle without having my authorization. In addition, they were not able to provide me with any specifics of what the data charge was for. Instead I was simply being strong armed into paying $70 per month extra. When I expressed my dissatisfaction and told them I would close my account, the CSR did not hesitate to tell me that I would then be charged an early termination fee. When I asked to speak to the supervisor the answer was the same "There was not one available at this time".

I was fuming. This was a daytime robbery and I was not even able to speak to someone in the company. The CSR's name was Brandon with Badge# 665194. This time Brandon tells me that a supervisor would be available in 30 min as he was in a meeting. I said I would wait on the line. Sure enough, after 30 min of holding the line Brandon told me that there would be no supervisor available and the meeting would not be ending anytime soon. He then hung up on me.

I tried calling back to reach him but with no luck. So I ended up with another CSR whose name was Robin with Badge# 41336. As expected, she told me the exact same thing where there was no supervisor available and they could not put me thru.

BOTTOM LINE: Verizon Wireless has trained its Customer Service team to front alll the customer complaints for the scam they are running:
1- First they apply a charge to their subscriber with t he description "Data"
2- They have nothing to show the charge was authorized by the subscriber
3- There is no supporting information on what the charge is for other than "Data"
4- When querried and complained, you cannot get passed the CSr who picks up your call.
5- At the very best, you will be connected to leave a voicemail for a supervior to get a callback, which never happens
6- If you call and demand a supervisor, CSR's are trained to never connect to you to one.

By applying these arbitrary charges to their subscribers and then stonewalling them when disputed, Verizon Wireless has been scamming its subscriber base and they MUST be stopped.

Please help.

Nick
New Hyde Park, New York
U.S.A.