Electronics

[PickyPicky3]

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.

[depglass]

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)

[catter70]

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.

[Mimi NY]

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@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.

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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.

[Venezia]

@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!

[eadu4]

@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.  

[millieshops]

@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.

[Still Raining]

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.

[Kachina624]

@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.

[PickyPicky3]

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.