Well, perhaps people would be less alarmed if the message from billing had been made directly to their wireless phone and contained a less threatening and more respectful message. My payment was only a few days late, and my wife had already sent them a payment, so I think it was inappropriate to dunn me. Moreover, because I do not always check my mobile phone message, their dunning message had originally been made to my land line (which is not Verizon), and the caller ID was suspicious (Gates Cherokee). Only later did I find a message on my mobile phone with instructions to press a number and make an online payment or have my service turned off immediately (this for being < 1 week late with my payment). I chose instead to contact Verizon Wireless customer service directly and spoke to a nice young man who listened patiently as I explained that I am a longtime customer, whose payments are always on time, and was aghast to have received a threatening call from billing to pay up or be disconnected. I also explained about mysterious call to my land line, explained about all the complaints on the internet about calls from their dunning number (6143609213), and warned them that they risked having many customers (including myself) find another mobile service provider because of this. The young man offered to block all further calls to my phone from their dunning office and to also promised to add me to a list of people whose mobile numbers should not be shared with their 3rd-party partners. Finally, I told him to pass on my complaint to his superiors. If Verizon acts accordingly, then they may have saved this customer. Otherwise, I will change providers and never look back.
This call came from a scammer in another country using a magic jack device and Caller ID “Spoofing” technology. Some scammers making unwanted telephone calls are using a new technology called “caller ID spoofing” to falsify caller ID information. This means that telephone services such as caller ID, *69 (last call return) and *57 (call trace) are no longer reliable. The use of “spoofed” numbers by fraudsters who hide from the law is spreading due to phone companies’ installation of computer equipment that allows Internet-connected computers to cheaply make phone calls to conventional telephones. This technology allows the scammer to make unidentifiable phone calls to a citizen’s home. When a person returns a “spoofed” call, they find that the number is disconnected, not in service, or is assigned to someone who is very obviously not the scammer.
Most “spoofed” calls come from criminals trying to steal money or obtain personal information, such as credit card numbers, which the thieves can then use to commit identity theft.
I've been wondering who's number this was and after reading up above that it is Verizon, I still do not answer the phone. My bill was paid 2 days ago and these people keep calling. Verizon needs to do something about this before they really do upset their customers so much that they switch carriers.
Just got 3 calls yesterday from this number and called Verizon. The person had no knowledge of this number as one from Verizon but sent it up the food chain there.
I agree. I paid my bill 2 days ago and they still keep calling. If they don't leave a voice message, I don't answer or call them back.
I am seriously thinking of getting the pay in advance phone from Wal Mart. Cheaper with unlimited text and calling all for ONE price. NOT BAD!! Way cheaper than VERIZON!!