Are you a current Verizon Wireless customer looking to cancel your service? Whether you‘re switching to a new carrier, moving to an area without Verizon coverage, or simply no longer need a cell phone plan, this guide will walk you through the process of terminating your Verizon service step-by-step.
Canceling can seem daunting, but don‘t worry – as an expert in retail and consumer behavior, a picky shopper, and a long-time Verizon customer myself, I‘ve compiled everything you need to know into this comprehensive guide. Follow the steps below and you‘ll be on your way to canceling your Verizon Wireless plan as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Before You Cancel
First, it‘s important to understand a few key things before initiating the cancellation process with Verizon:
You can cancel anytime, but your service and billing cycle won‘t end until the cancellation is processed. So if you request to cancel service on the 10th of the month but your billing cycle runs through the 28th, your service will continue until the 28th and you‘ll be responsible for that full final month‘s payment. Keep this timing in mind as you plan to cancel and switch providers if relevant.
There‘s no way to fully cancel Verizon online or through the self-service options. While you can initiate a partial cancellation online to remove or suspend certain lines or services, fully canceling your account will require speaking directly to Verizon customer service either by phone or in-person at a Verizon corporate store.
Your device payment plan balance and any early termination fees will become due immediately upon cancellation. If you have a remaining balance on a device payment agreement or are canceling before the end of a contract term, be prepared to pay those charges as part of your final Verizon bill. Sometimes your new carrier will cover these fees if you‘re switching.
With those factors in mind, let‘s get into the specific steps you‘ll need to take to officially cancel your Verizon service.
Step-by-Step Guide to Canceling Verizon
Follow this 10-step process to terminate your Verizon Wireless service:
1. Contact Verizon Customer Service
Call 1-800-922-0204 to reach the Verizon cancellations department. This number is staffed during normal business hours Monday-Friday from approximately 8am-7pm EST.
Alternatively, you can visit a Verizon corporate store in-person to cancel. Note that authorized retailers and third-party Verizon sellers typically cannot process cancellations directly. Use the Verizon store locator to find a corporate location near you.
2. Verify Your Account Ownership and Identity
To proceed with the cancellation, you‘ll need to confirm that you are an account owner or manager authorized to make changes to the account. The rep will ask you to verify your identity by providing a combination of the following info:
– Verizon account number
– Account PIN or security passcode
– Primary account holder‘s name and address
– Last 4 digits of primary account holder‘s social security number
– Phone number of the line you‘re looking to cancel
3. State Your Intention to Cancel Service
Clearly communicate to the customer service rep that you want to cancel your Verizon Wireless service. They may ask some initial questions about why you‘re looking to cancel. It‘s okay to be direct here and simply state that you‘ve decided to terminate your service and would like to do so as soon as possible.
4. Go Through Verizon‘s Retention Process
At this point, expect the rep to probe deeper into your reason for canceling. They‘re required to attempt to "save" you as a customer, so they‘ll likely ask questions to better understand your motivation for leaving.
This is part of Verizon‘s retention process – the goal is to identify your pain points and try to offer solutions to keep you as a customer. Common tactics include:
- Offering you discounts or promotions on your current plan
- Suggesting different Verizon plans that may better fit your needs
- Asking whether you‘d consider staying if they gave you credits or waived certain fees
- Highlighting Verizon‘s network coverage and reliability
- Comparing Verizon‘s offerings to competitor plans you may be considering
Listen to their offers if you‘re open to remaining a Verizon customer, but don‘t feel obligated to accept. If you‘re confident in your decision to cancel, politely decline their retention attempts and reiterate your desire to proceed with cancellation.
5. Discuss Early Termination Fees
If you‘re canceling before the end of your agreed upon contract term, ask the rep to review any early termination fees that may apply. For customers on a two-year contract, Verizon‘s early termination fee as of 2024 is $350 minus $10 for each full month of your contract that you‘ve completed.
No early termination fee applies if you‘re canceling a month-to-month plan without a contract. Confirm what you‘ll owe and factor it into your budget for your final Verizon bill.
6. Review Your Device Payment Agreement
If you‘ve purchased a phone or tablet through Verizon‘s device payment program and still owe money on it, that remaining balance will be due when you cancel your service. Ask the rep to provide your payoff amount. You‘re responsible for this balance even if you plan to return the device to Verizon upon cancellation.
7. Go Through the Terms and Conditions
To finalize the cancellation, the Verizon rep will verbally review the relevant terms and conditions with you, including:
– The services and lines you‘re agreeing to cancel
– Effective date of the cancellation (typically your next billing cycle end date)
– Fees that will be charged on your final bill (early termination, device payment balance, etc.)
– Wiping your devices of all personal data before returning any hardware to Verizon
– Paying your final bill in a timely manner to avoid collections activities
– Your eligibility to file a complaint or pursue legal arbitration if needed
Listen carefully and ask any questions you may have. Provide a verbal acknowledgment that you understand these terms.
8. Receive Your Cancellation Confirmation
Once you‘ve agreed to the terms and conditions, the rep will process your cancellation request. They‘ll provide you with a confirmation number and a final cancellation date, which again will likely be your next billing cycle end date.
Write down and save your confirmation number in case you need it later for any follow-up on your cancellation. Confirm the mailing and/or email address that your final bill will be sent to.
9. Check for Successful Cancellation
After the date your cancellation was set to take effect, check your Verizon account online to ensure your service has been fully terminated. You should no longer be able to log in, and any associated devices should no longer be able to connect to the Verizon network.
If your devices still show as active or you‘re able to access your account, contact Verizon immediately via the cancellation phone number. Politely explain that you recently canceled but your service still appears active. Provide your cancellation number and ask them to investigate and resolve the issue promptly.
10. Pay Your Final Bill
Your final bill from Verizon will arrive within 1-2 billing cycles of your cancellation date. It will include all charges for your final month of service, plus any applicable early termination or device payoff fees.
Pay this bill in full and on time to avoid late fees, interest charges, and potential dings to your credit. If you have any questions or spot any errors on your final bill, reach out to Verizon‘s customer service department right away.
Cancellation FAQs
Still have questions about canceling your Verizon service? These FAQs provide some additional context:
Do I need to cancel with Verizon if I‘m switching to another carrier?
In most cases, your new carrier will take care of porting your number from Verizon, which will automatically initiate the cancellation of your Verizon service. However, it‘s always a good idea to contact Verizon to confirm the cancellation has gone through after making the switch. You don‘t want to get stuck paying for service from two carriers at once.
Can I cancel my Verizon service online?
No, Verizon does not allow you to completely cancel service online as of 2024. You can initiate a partial or line-level cancellation via your My Verizon online account, but fully terminating your service still requires speaking with customer service.
Is there a fee to cancel Verizon?
There is no standalone fee to cancel Verizon, but you may be required to pay early termination fees and a device payoff balance if you‘re canceling before the end of a contract or payment agreement term. You‘ll also be charged for any service used up until your cancellation completes, typically your next billing cycle end date.
What do I do with my old Verizon phone?
If you‘re using the Verizon phone with a new carrier, confirm that the device will be unlocked and erased of Verizon software so you can activate it successfully.
If you‘re not keeping the phone and have fully paid it off, Verizon should automatically remove it from your account when you cancel. You‘re then free to sell, donate, recycle, or give away the device as you choose.
If you still owe money on the phone via a device payment plan, you‘re required to pay off the remaining balance as part of your final bill. You can then keep the phone to use with another carrier or sell/trade it in to recoup some of your cost. Verizon also offers a device recycling program if you choose.
The Bottom Line
Canceling your Verizon Wireless service requires speaking directly with their customer service team, either by phone or in a Verizon store. Be prepared to verify your account information, go through a retention process, understand the fees you may owe, and review all relevant terms and conditions before your cancellation is finalized.
While the process can seem overwhelming, following the steps outlined in this guide will help ensure a smooth transition. Remember to get your cancellation confirmation details, watch for successful termination of your service, and pay your final bill promptly to wrap up your Verizon account once and for all.
If you found this guide helpful, please leave a comment and share it with others who may be going through the same process. As a consumer expert and picky shopper myself, I‘m always happy to help my readers navigate these complex customer service situations. Don‘t hesitate to reach out with any other questions!
