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Verizon announces new fee for some customers

Nancy Marshall-Genzer Dec 30, 2011

Steve Chiotakis: There’s been a good deal of backlash from Verizon customers over a new payment fee the wireless company’s proposed. Starting next month, Verizon will start charging customers an extra two bucks each time they make a one-time payment online or over the phone.

Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer explains.


Nancy Marshall-Genzer: The company says it has to pay more to process one-time payments. And it’s just passing those costs along. Verizon consumers aren’t buying that.

Maggie Reardon is a writer for C-Net. She’s already hearing from readers who just can’t understand why they have to pay for the privilege of paying their bill.

Maggie Reardon: If you want me to pay my bill and you want me to pay my bill on time, isn’t that the cost of doing business, if you offer the ability to pay online. I shouldn’t have to pay extra to give you my money.

Twitter exploded with complaints. One tweet urged customers to cancel their contracts, saying they can do that now because Verizon changed the payment terms. Bank of America cancelled plans for a new debit card fee earlier this year after similar, heated protests.

In Washington, I’m Nancy Marshall-Genzer for Marketplace.

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