People urged to check phone bills after customers rage over sneaky upcharge added to accounts
Verizon Wireless is increasing some of its fees again - and customers are furious.
The carrier is being accused of 'greed' after some users noticed a higher-than-normal charge.
“I just looked at the online PDF of my current bill, and was met with a note that the Verizon fee is going up again,” a disgruntled user called out on Reddit.
"It'll now be $3.50 per voice line, and $1.60 per data line."
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Verizon did confirm the increase.
“Starting December 18, the monthly Verizon wireless Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge will increase by $0.20 per line for mobile voice (basic phones, Second Number, smartphones, etc.) and data-only (hotspots, tablets, etc.) products,” Verizon spokesman George Koroneos told The Verge.
The only good news is that Verizon Home Internet services will not be affected, according to Koroneos.
The telecommunications giant stated that the surcharge 'helps defray and recover certain direct and indirect costs we or our agents incur.'
These costs cover things like property taxes, operating costs, and compliance with 'industry obligations and programs.'
But many customers feel it’s just a sneaky way to make them pay extra for what should already be included - or 'baked' - in their standard plan.
“It’s the fee Verizon charges for the cost of doing business with them,” the Redditor added in a follow-up post.
“They obfuscate it by calling it the Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge. But it basically pays for their property taxes and other costs of doing business.”
They compared the situation to buying an appliance at Target and then getting billed later for the electricity costs.
Commenters on the Reddit thread also expressed their frustration about the price hike.
“The greed is insane,” one outraged user wrote.
Another user pointed out: "“Verizon fee” - ah yes, very clear whatever that is."
Someone else called the price increase downright "fraudulent."
Others have been regretting their contract with Verizon, replying: "I should’ve left Verizon instead of getting a new phone with them. I’m gonna save up and pay my phone off and leave Verizon. Might go back to straight talk or something."
The telecoms firm recently received backlash for increasing from 40 cents per month for each phone line in 2005 to $3.30 in 2022.
On the positive side, Verizon is giving away an Xbox Series S console to anyone who signs up to a 24-month subscription of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as part of a massive holiday offer.