Blame Canada? No, Blame Verizon

[canyonwalker]

I've been trying for more than a week to get my mobile phone company, Verizon, to refund me an international roaming charge for Canada. The charges were billed to our account when we went near Canada during our Inland Northwest trip several weeks ago.  When we drove within a few miles of the border on our way to Copper Creek Falls Verizon sent us text messages letting us know they'd "helpfully" billed us automatically for TravelPass - Canada. For something that was so quick & simple to add it was a total pain in the neck to remove. It took me five calls (and three failed chatbot attempts) before getting it fixed.

Technologically, this situation with fake international roaming happens because cell phones work by making contact with multiple towers in range. Near a border some may be on the other side. We don't have any control over it. But here's the thing: Verizon should understand this happens whenever someone is near a border and make it easy to fix the bill afterwards. Instead they put us through ridiculous phone menus that often result in being hung up on by a robot, waits of an hour or longer at some times, and worthless chatbots and chat agents.

Comments

[stinaleigh]

I have to turn off my international roaming whenever I take a boat trip on the river that gets me close to the Canadian side. Sometimes I even catch the Canadian towers from the south side of Belle Isle.

[canyonwalker]

That's a good idea. I've left roaming on because it's one of those set it and forget it (or just forget it) things. Now I'll turn it off and only turn it back on when needed.

[culfinriel]

Yup. Living on a border makes this a pita.

[canyonwalker]

How often do you have to dispute a roaming charge?