I just got back from the bank. Some funky stuff has been going on in my account recently and, having viewed a print out of all my recent transactions, it has become clear that Verizon has been making and returning charges without my authorization, the net effect of which is an overcharge of about $1000 and $525 in bank fees.
It all started when I tried to set up the auto debit. I was told that it would be active immediately, but it never actually got set up. So, I was 3 months in arrears, which I found out when I was unable to order a Pay Per View. Upon learning this, I tried to pay the bill online. I entered all the information, pressed submit, and was told that it didn't go through. So I did this a few more times (I know, now, terrible idea). Next thing I know, about $2500 was gone from my checking account. I got my bank to cancel 3 of the 4 payments, so I thought I was alright.
Little did I know that Verizon was going to charge me AGAIN for this multiple month payment, this time without my authorization, then do it again, only to return the funds 3 days later, again without my authorization. Meanwhile, my checking account vacillated between positive and negative and I was charged 15 separate overdrawn penalties, at $35 a pop, for a total of $525. Add that to the $993 they over charged me, and it's a major problem.
I can't imagine I'm the only one who is having this problem. I urge you to follow your Verizon accounts closely. Their financial people aren't even around on the weekends, so I'm going to have to spend part of my day at work on Monday working this out. What a mess. No wonder why they require annual contracts for Fios; if they didn't no one would stay longer than a month!