Phone Carriers Waive Fees in Hurricane Sandy Aftermath

Those affected by Hurricane Sandy may have one less burden to worry about thanks to Verizon Wireless.

Verizon customers throughout New Jersey will not be billed usage charges for domestic voice and text usage incurred between Oct. 29 and Nov. 16, according to a company press release.

No action is required by customers to be eligible for this program, as voice and text activity charges incurred during those dates will be automatically removed from customers’ accounts.

Customers will still be responsible for monthly access charges, however. Customers should also note they may still receive normal usage alerts during their bill cycle for voice and/or text usage. 

Verizon will also suspend late fees and will not disconnect services due to late payments during the storm recovery period.

Verizon is not the first service provider to offer assistance to those impacted by Sandy.

AT&T extended a late-payment window for Sandy-affected customers, waiving late fees, and not disconnecting services because of non-payment.

Sprint also offered to waive late fees, overage charges, roaming and call forwarding fees, and renewal extension for prepaid services.

T-Mobile promised to continue providing service to prepaid and contract customers unable to make a payment on their account until Nov. 8.

Verizon Wireless additionally opened several charging stations in impacted areas where anyone could charge wireless devices for free.

“Verizon Wireless continues to focus its efforts to assist customers in the regions hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy,” the press release said.