Verizon Automatic Payment Question

[iphonenv]

Hi Everybody!

I have an interesting problem/situation with Verizon. Here's the scoop:

After my contract ended I ported my number over to AT&T. About a week later I received a letter from Verizon explaining that my contract was officially over and my balance due was zero. About 2 weeks after that I get an email from Verizon saying that $208 has been successfully deducted from my checking account. (I used Verizon's auto payment option). This caused my account to dip into the negative and rack up $140 in NSF fees from my bank. I called Verizon (before realizing my bank account was in the negative) and they acknowledged their mistake about the early termination fee (the $208) and reimbursed my account. Soon after that I discovered the NSF fees and called my bank. They were nice enough to remove half of them and said that Verizon would have to take care of the rest. So I call Verizon back and they say that since I am not a current customer, they can't give me any money- or "sorry 'bout your luck."

So my first question: How long after you close your account and your contract ends, can Verizon take money out of your account without your permission?

Secondly: Shouldn't Verizon be responsible for the NSF fees that they cause by their early termination fee screw up? (regardless if I am a current customer or not?)

It would be great if anyone could shed some light on this!

Thanks,

-Chris

[scottb]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Pearl 8130: Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.1.11355/546; U; en))

Well, you've explained nicely why I never use auto-payment for anything. :/

Your agreement will tell you whether VZW is responsible for fees incurred by you after your account was terminated. My guess is that there is a clause relieving them of that responsibility. Have a look at your auto-pay agreement.