The Verizon "cover" charge

On a line primarily used for in-bound calls and faxes, I notice a $ 2.12 charge the last few months on my Verizon bill. It is called a "short fall" charge. I did not use at least $ 2 in monthly long distance so they are billing that plus taxes.  When I signed up there was no minimum required. I do not mind a cover charge to enter a bar, but for $ 25 a year you think they would at least buy me a drink or arrange some live music

I do not use the Verizon long distance because the few faxes I have used it for cost 40c a minute to Virginia and 90c a minute to Canada. Make it mindless to use and I will quit using Skype or pay per call services like Tel3. But it's Verizon's charge for my having them listed as my long distance carrier of record. The way to remove that is to call them and tell them you want NOBODY as your LD carrier of record.

You think Verizon, stung by cable companies and VoIP, would not want to actively chase away long distance  customers.  Or may be it is counting on grandmas and grandpas not even noticing the charge. Yes those poor souls that still continue to lease their phone 50 years after they had paid off their phone...

Comments

[Lauri gonza]

crazy!!
i used to have this $2 shortfall charge, and suddenly it's become
$3.50 this month, a 75% increase???!!! the $2 charge was a rip off and
an insult. but a 75% increase is just too much. does it say "stupid"
on my face? that's what verizon seems to think about their customers.
it's not about the amount of the charge, the issue is more fundamental
than that. i'm closing my account tomorrow morning

[Cooley]

I also had an increase in my shortfall fee from $2 to $3.50 this month - and they have the nerve to tax that. I use my cell phone for all my long distance - and I suppose now for all my local calls. My landline has become more of a hassle than a necessity. It's just not worth $31 a month for the barebones service I receive.

[rick]

I too am outraged by this "shortfall charge" and would like to know if switching to a different long distance carrier will get rid of it?

[vinnie mirchandani]

Rick, call Verizon and tell them you want "no one" as your long distance carrier of choice. That should stop this monthly charge while continuing them as your local provider (if you don't mind their local service). Then you can use fairly priced calling cards or VoIP services like Skype, Vonage for your LD. or switch to an alternate telco or cable service in your area