Verizon Wireless Bait and switched to ripp off a senior citizen Elgin, Illinois

Like many Americans on a fixed income, we have trouble keeping on top of our bills. After being text messaged of an impending service cut-off, I called customer service to make payment arrangements on the arrears and balance due. On Monday I told them I could pay the arrears on Friday. They said "No problem!"

On Wednesday they turned our phones off. I called (after banging repeatedly on the zero button to reach a real person) and got them to restore service if I agreed to pay the arrears on Friday (again) and paid off the balance about two weeks later. They restored service and waived the reconnect charges.

Today I went to their website to pay the arrears. The payment page defaulted to the total bill amount due or you could click a button to enter the amount of payment, which I did, to cover the arrears rounded up to the next dollar. Lower on the page I could choose the 'card on file' but I noticed that it was no longer a valid card. I clicked to delete that card and replace it with another. Then I clicked Submit.

My receipt popped up showing a full payment of the entire balance due! This would wipe us out! Our other commitments would bounce - no food - no gas... you get the picture.

I immediately called again and after once again violating the zero button on my phone got hold of a person. I explained the problem, asked them to reverse the payment so I could re-submit the proper payment. I was told that they could not (or rather would not) do this. Basically 'screw you'! I asked to be transferred to the person I had made arrangements with on Wednesday. It rang about 10 times, then they hung up on me.

I went to their website and entered into a customer service chat. Pretty much the same outcome...and I am stuck with these greedy, lying b**tards for 7 more months, until my contract expires.