Verizon Will No Longer Charge $2 Monthly for Single Payments

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Verizon earlier announced that it will be charging an extra $2 for single mobile, online or over-the-phone payments for mobile customers. The company has since decided to drop plans to add the surcharge, amid complaints from customers.

Verizon Wireless originally planned to institute a $2 add-on fee for customers who will be making single payments over the phone, through the mobile web, or online. According to company representatives, this will encourage users to enroll in auto-pay mechanisms, and the fee will help defray the costs incurred from customers who make one-time bill payments.

However, the move was faced with criticism from the technology media and Verizon customers, who said it “made little sense.” In comparison, other mobile carriers don’t levy an extra charge for one-time bill payments. However, these come in other forms. AT&T charges $5 to subscribers who ask for personal assistance for bills payment, except in cases of technical problems or billing errors. Sprint, meanwhile, requires some subscribers with delinquent or past due accounts to pay $5 per payment.

With the media attention over Verizon’s planned $2 fee, federal regulators have also taken heed. The FCC will be looking into the matter, citing “concerns about Verizon’s billing practices.” Earlier, Verizon was reported to have settled $25 million with the U.S. government and $52.8 million to customers as a result of FCC investigation into “mystery fees.” With close scrutiny from federal regulators, the mobile telecoms company might be forced to make adjustments such that consumers are not being charged hidden or unreasonable fees for services.

Even with cancelled surcharges, Verizon says they still continue to encourage customers to use other “simple and convenient payment methods,” which include auto-pay agreements, and the like.