topic Re: T-Mobile Alert in Electronics

T-Mobile Alert

PickyPicky3 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 14:59:10 GMT

But first a disclosure: I despise T-Mobile and consider them in the same category as organized crime.

I received a notice this week that my $5/month autopay discount will only be available through debit card or direct access to bank accounts as of 7/27/23.

That would be like giving the fox a key to the henhouse.

I'll pay the extra $60/year.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

depglass — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:13:12 GMT

Love the organized crime reference. Is no other company available in your area? Or are you on a contract? (In which case you would think they would have to adhere to the original payment methods)

Re: T-Mobile Alert

catter70 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:14:55 GMT

That's so they don't have to pay the 3% credit card fee if that's how you were paying, as was I. Some places now are charging extra if you use credit cards to cover their fee.My cat had surgery a couple months ago and I was told if I used a credit card there would be a 3% extra charge. I've also seen about this on the news.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Mimi NY — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 22:20:55 GMT

@PickyPicky3 wrote:
But first a disclosure: I despise T-Mobile and consider them in the same category as organized crime.

I received a notice this week that my $5/month autopay discount will only be available through debit card or direct access to bank accounts as of 7/27/23.

That would be like giving the fox a key to the henhouse.

I'll pay the extra $60/year.

I don't have T-Mobile but in today's world who would give a company the easiest way to wipe you out of cash or even savings.I don't blame you to pay the extra $5 a month as you won't one day be sorry, as you always have more security with a credit card.Saw recently on the news even checks am not sure how secure they are.They have been stolen out of mailboxes and some have been washed and dried and different amount and to whom was changed.Sometimes think thieves are one step ahead of security.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Venezia — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:32:20 GMT

@Mimi NY - To anyone writing a check: use gel ink only. It can't be washed off as normal ink can.

And we never, ever put a check in our mailbox to be picked up by the mailman. We go directly to the post office; have done for decades.

@PickyPicky3 - I would also pay the extra per month. No way would I give a company direct access to my bank account. It's like the gas stations around here that say you'll get an extra 5 cents off a gallon, if you do that. No, thank you!

Re: T-Mobile Alert

eadu4 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:45:37 GMT

@PickyPicky3 although I am no fan of any of the cell/cable companies (view them as necessary evils) I have no problem using my debit card on autopay. I get a text letting me know of my upcoming payment and the amount and date it will be debited. I have never had them take more than the bill amount and I can go online an view the bill for confirmation of all charges. I'm sure there are people out there with "horror"stories of those companies taking thousands but I have never had that happen. After the transaction is completed on the day of payment I get a confirmation text of what they charged me. So far not a single problem and I always know a week before they debit the account of the upcoming payment. The charges are pretty much the same month to month so no big deal. Never had it hacked or misused or had any strange charges.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

millieshops — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:52:32 GMT

@Venezia Add me to the list of those happy to forgo some want to avoid giving another company access to my information. Last week I walked out of a lab my doctor had suggested I try because the only way I could even sign up for an appointment there was to give them permanent access to my info. No, thank you.

I realize companies often gain business this way, but this place looked dirty and the greeter at the desk was rude. Just pointed across the room and said only "sign in." Not one other word.

I left and ended up on the down elevator with another woman who also left. Neither of us is likely to go back. I'd fear the employees working there would be thieves. My understanding from a neighbor's huge loss some years ago that it's the employees with access to those numbers who steal them and use or sell them.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Still Raining — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:00:20 GMT

There are other carriers, just move on and make sure they know why.

I had a nasty divorce from AT&T a couple of years ago, much better for my nerves to be out of it. And I can flip them the bird if drive down that street. Delightful.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Kachina624 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:16:50 GMT

@PickyPicky3 So get and give them a debit card number. Mine with B of A has the same protection as a credit card. I assume most banks are the same.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

PickyPicky3 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 17:10:24 GMT

So I called the credit card that currently pays the T-Mobile auto pay and then the bank that I have an ATM/Debit card with.

The credit card told me my only option with them would be to open a checking account and yearly or semi-yearly deposit enough to cover the AutoPay. At my age, that's too much work to save $60/year.

My savings/checking bank had a surprising response. The CS rep I spoke with told me she would never give T-Mobile a debit account number. She herself had her checking account wiped out by a debit autopay this year and it's still in process. Plus currently they're flooded with debit card fraud. This is from a financially strong regional bank.

I'll pay the $60. At some point in the future this T-Mobile account will be closed but not right now.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Nuttmeg — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:00:49 GMT

@PickyPicky3 wrote:
But first a disclosure: I despise T-Mobile and consider them in the same category as organized crime.

I received a notice this week that my $5/month autopay discount will only be available through debit card or direct access to bank accounts as of 7/27/23.

That would be like giving the fox a key to the henhouse.

I'll pay the extra $60/year.

The company wants to be paid. You should be upset with customers not paying their bills.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

BlueFinch — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 22:39:29 GMT

T-Mobile has been repeatedly hacked and they still haven't beefed up protection for their customers. I'll pay the extra $5/month, too.

I'd never give them direct access to a bank account. This change in method of billing wasn't what I signed up for, so it ticks me off, even if it is only $5/month.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

gnomie1 — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 01:50:09 GMT

You need to be very careful with a debit card - although there are protections, they are not as strong as when using a credit card. The other problem - if there is a problem with a credit card, the credit card company is out of money - if a debit card, your entire account can be emptied and while you most probably will be made whole again, the individual is out of the cash until the problem is resolved.

I have one item that requires a monthly debit card payment - my bank offers free accounts, I opened a second account and just keep $100 in the account so that if the account is drained, it is not from my main account.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Mindy D — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:00:37 GMT

@PickyPicky3 Hi, thank you for posting about TMobile. I have been considering switching to them because I'm so fed up with AT&T.

1. If I do not choose to go on auto pay with them...which I don't want to do, can I get a paper bill from them every month?

2. Can I go online to their site and make one time payments using my credit card? My debit card? My checking account number? This would be without keeping these numbers on file with them?
Do I need to log in with them for every payment?

3. Can I pay TMobile bills from my bank's bill paying...the bank either pays via electronic payment or if the company if a company accepts this, most companies do. If the company doesn't accept direct electronic transfer the bank pays by issuing a check to the company from the bank itself.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

PickyPicky3 — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:28:21 GMT

Hi @Mindy D I cannot answer those questions. I can just tell you T-Mobile cannot be trusted. They will tell you anything to get you to sign up, and what you end up with may not be what you agreed to. Then try and straighten it out!

Google T-Mobile headquarters Bellevue WA. Click on Google reviews. Put the sort on most recent first. Spend ten minutes reading the reviews.

If you still want to proceed, I wish you luck.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Mindy D — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:17:45 GMT

@PickyPicky3 @Thank you. You are not alone. I went to TMobile's Community and people are up in arms and agreeing with you. Take a look. @PickyPicky3

Re: T-Mobile Alert

PickyPicky3 — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 17:20:24 GMT

@Mindy D Thanks. But this is NOTHING compared to the bait and switch they've been practicing.

T-MOBILE STOLE $300 FROM ME TWO YEARS AGO, and I have not been able to get it back.

PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO. I have done it all and they got away with this.

They will play one of a thousand different games to steal from their customers. And the attorneys general do nothing.

When I referred to them as the same as organized crime, I was choosing my words very carefully.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

BlueFinch — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 17:41:20 GMT

Seems that other providers are doing the same thing, including Verison. With a new plan, to get the bonuses offered, payment is by debit card, account access withdrawal, or check, only. It appears this will be a thing of the future, with no regard for the customer's vigilance, these days, in trying to avoid being hacked.

I keep reading where people are saying 'don't do it,' but it may be the only way to do business in the future. Even my banker advised to not use my debit card for anything except ATM withdrawals, and to be careful while doing that. And, that was advice several years ago, when things weren't as bad as they are now.

If someone drains a checking account, it's much different than credit card issues. It's a nightmare, that may never be resolved to your satisfaction, if at all. And, it could take weeks, or months of 'investigation.'

Some banks (one of mine) offer power checking protection, with alerts, etc., if you keep a high balance in your checking account. Really? I guess the people who don't do this are out of luck. And if we go below the required balance, there's a fee to pay for this protection. Doesn't that make the customer feel confident? Lol.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Mindy D — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:32:16 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
Seems that other providers are doing the same thing, including Verison. With a new plan, to get the bonuses offered, payment is by debit card, account access withdrawal, or check, only. It appears this will be a thing of the future, with no regard for the customer's vigilance, these days, in trying to avoid being hacked.

I keep reading where people are saying 'don't do it,' but it may be the only way to do business in the future. Even my banker advised to not use my debit card for anything except ATM withdrawals, and to be careful while doing that. And, that was advice several years ago, when things weren't as bad as they are now.

If someone drains a checking account, it's much different than credit card issues. It's a nightmare, that may never be resolved to your satisfaction, if at all. And, it could take weeks, or months of 'investigation.'

Some banks (one of mine) offer power checking protection, with alerts, etc., if you keep a high balance in your checking account. Really? I guess the people who don't do this are out of luck. And if we go below the required balance, there's a fee to pay for this protection. Doesn't that make the customer feel confident? Lol.

@BlueFinch @It almost makes sense to have a checking account that never has more than $1000 in it and if you must use a debit, use the one attached to your small account.

Re: T-Mobile Alert

Mindy D — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:52:43 GMT

Is it unsafe to use a debit at Amazon or Instacart/Publix for groceries?