Verizon Responds to Complaint Alleging Unauthorized Plan Change

Strategic Insights -

The California Public Utilities Commission has received a complaint from Jonathan Marcus, alleging that Verizon Wireless switched him to a new plan without his authorization. Verizon disputes these allegations, citing a transaction receipt and a Next Bill Estimate that demonstrate Marcus knowingly switched plans in 2020. According to Verizon, the new plan provides the same amount of data (75 GB) as the old plan, and Marcus is not locked into the new plan.

Key Takeaways:

  • Verizon disputes allegations that it switched Jonathan Marcus to a new plan without his knowledge or authorization.
  • A transaction receipt and Next Bill Estimate provided to Marcus in 2020 show that he knowingly switched plans from Above Unlimited to Get More Unlimited.
  • The Get More Unlimited plan provides the same amount of data (75 GB) as the old plan, and Marcus is not locked into the new plan.
  • Verizon has grandfathered the old plan, making it no longer available.
  • Marcus's complaint alleges that Verizon's new plan provides less data than the old plan, but this is disputed by Verizon.
  • The complaint also alleges that Verizon switched Marcus without his knowledge, but Verizon disputes this and cites evidence of communication with Marcus regarding the plan change.
  • Verizon has filed a motion to dismiss the complaint and denies any wrongdoing.
  • The complaint was filed with the FCC in March 2023, three years after Marcus switched plans.
  • Verizon has provided detailed responses to each of the allegations made in the complaint, including statements that the old plan is no longer available and that the new plan provides the same benefits.
  • Verizon has cited Commission rules and California Public Utilities Code Section 1702 as support for its position.
  • Verizon has also raised several affirmative defenses, including that the complaint fails to state a cause of action and that the Commission lacks jurisdiction to order Verizon to revert Marcus to his old plan.

Statistics:

  • 75 GB: The data limit of both the old and new plans.
  • 2020: The year in which Marcus switched plans from Above Unlimited to Get More Unlimited.
  • 2023: The year in which Marcus filed a complaint with the FCC, alleging that Verizon switched him to a new plan without his knowledge or authorization.
  • 1.11(d): The Commission Rule of Practice and Procedure that allows an attorney to verify the Answer on behalf of Verizon's officer.

Sources:

  • California Public Utilities Commission, "Answer to Complaint" (2023)
  • Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, "Get More Unlimited Plan Details" (2020)
  • Jonathan Marcus, "FCC Complaint" (2023)
  • California Public Utilities Code, Section 1702
  • Commission Rule of Practice and Procedure 1.11(d)