This time it really went over the phone line.
Verizon Wireless is being accused of obfuscation and “greed” after discerning users noticed an increase in unpopular hidden fees.
“When I looked at the online PDF of my current bill, I saw a note saying my Verizon rates would increase again,” the disgruntled user declared in a statement. Posted after takeoff on Reddit.
It said rates will now be “$3.50 per voice line and $1.60 per data line,” up from $3.30 per voice line and $1.40 per data line. The Verge reported.
Verizon representative — America's largest telecommunications company by revenue — We have confirmed this fee increase.
“Effective December 18, the monthly Verizon Wireless Management and Communication Fee for mobile voice products (such as landline phones, second numbers, smartphones, etc.) and data-only products (such as hotspots, tablets) will increase by $0.20 per line. '' Verizon spokesperson George Coroneos told The Verge. “Verizon Home Internet Service is not affected.”
According to Verizonthe surcharge “helps pay and recover certain direct and indirect costs incurred by us or our agents.”
These include property taxes, operations and fees required to comply with “regulatory and industry mandates and programs.”
However, the Redditor notes that this fee is often hidden in billing details, forcing customers to foot the bill for operating costs that supposedly “should be rolled into” a user's standard plan. He insisted.
“This is a fee that Verizon charges for the cost of doing business with Verizon,” the Redditor fumed in a follow-up post. “They obfuscate it by calling it an ‘administration and toll collection fee.’ But it basically covers property taxes and other business costs. ”
They likened the charge to having to pay an additional electricity bill after purchasing an appliance at Target.
Redditors weren't too thrilled about the price increase.
“The greed is insane,” one user raged, while another branded the additional fees a “scam.”
“Why not ban this practice?” said a third. “I can smell the government acting on this.”
This is not the first time the company has been criticized for raising prices. The most notable increase was from 40 cents per month per phone line in 2005 to $3.30 per phone line in 2022.
Last winter, Verizon Wireless agreed to pay $100 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that its administrative fees were unfair, with customers eligible to receive up to $100 each.
