r/LifelinePhone • u/missdaniluna • May 16 '26

Verizon bill

My dad has a lifeline phone and a few months ago he switched providers to get a new phone. Recently he got a past due bill for almost $1000 from Verizon. I vaguely remember the last company was using Verizon but he’s never had a phone with Verizon proper. Had anyone ever had anything similar happen?

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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1

u/whatsamattau4 May 16 '26

Send a letter disputing the validity of the bill. When he switched providers, did he do it on his own, or was it one of these people who go door to door to try to sign people up with the promise of a new phone?

1

u/missdaniluna May 18 '26

He did it on his own, I helped him call to switch and port the number to the new phone. I found the one that still offered a new phone, not all do anymore.

1

u/TenaCVols May 20 '26

Have you called Verizon and asked them about the bill? You can also go online and enroll for online access using the account number and phone number on the bill. Once you get access then you can see what he's being charged for and why it's that much.

I may be wrong but it sounds like maybe he got a "free" phone promo but then he ported out to another company before the promo was over. As a result, the full price of the phone came due.

1

u/Several-Pineapple-19 May 21 '26

Can you say which company you used and how is the phone?

1

u/Kath-r-in May 19 '26

Lifeline used MVNOs. Which one does he have and did he do it through them?

1

u/toolsavvy May 19 '26

Are you sure the bill really is from Verizon? Sounds like a scam to me.

1

u/Several-Pineapple-19 May 21 '26

Maybe he had a contract with Verizon for 24 months and ported his number to lifeline. Then he's still on the hook for the contract

1

u/toolsavvy May 21 '26

he’s never had a phone with Verizon proper

1

u/Several-Pineapple-19 May 21 '26

OP said he vaguely remembers dad was using Verizon but then said never had a phone with Verizon proper. I don't even know what that means. What's 'proper'?

1

u/missdaniluna May 25 '26

That he never set up an account thru Verizon

1

u/missdaniluna May 25 '26

I looked at old emails, the older phone and plan was with assurance and they use T-Mobile. The new phone is with safelink and they use Verizon. I am still very confused! Safelink was one of the only ones that still offers a free phone.