Some Verizon customers get refunds on mistaken internet charges

Verizon Wireless is paying out refunds to customers who have been charged a $1.99 internet access fee mistakenly. Verizon believes that the incorrect charges are a nationwide problem. Some who were charged said that it was impossible for them to incur internet charges due to dead batteries, accounts that did not have permission to access the web, or because their phone did not have the software needed to go online.

The story broke after a columnist for The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote about a 6 month ordeal he has been having with the nation's larget cellular carrier. In response to his column, 400 Verizon customers responded with similar complaints. Four Verizon executives visited the newspaper on Monday and the firm's regional president for Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia-Roger Tang-said that every bill is being investigated because the carrier does not want to "zing" customers on their bills. Tang said the biggest problem was from customers who mistakenly activated the internet without knowing it. The exec continued by saying that Verizon needs to do a better job at explaining to their subscribers how they can get charged for data. He noted that the $1.99 charge would cover the fee for someone who accidentally went online using his cellphone and then quickly logged off, realizing the mistake. "It is obvious to us that we need to fix this aspect of our service," said Tang, "but in the meantime we are gladly crediting customers if this happens to them." Better go check your Verizon bill now while the getting is good.

source: Cleveland Plain Dealer via FierceWireless