Chapter 7 and Verizon?

[Anonymous]

I checked my verizon bill today and it is a lot cheaper, when I examined more I noticed "Bankruptcy - Device Pmt" in my bill as a credit.  They removed my device payment amount.  They weren't listed in my chapter 7 and i've never missed a payment with them so what is going on?  I don't want to lose service with them as i've been with them for years and have never been late or missed payments.

[Anonymous]

That seems odd to me too. Were you financing the phone? If so, I would've thought that should be listed in the executory contract schedule along with other possible items like vehicle leases and apartment leases. And if you affirm the lease you just keep things status quo and keep paying the monthly payment of the contract item in question to end of term. Did you owe much on the phone? It definitely seems odd they would seemingly just write that off. I'm with AT&T and pay them an extra $15/mo for my phone and I just listed it and told them I'd like to keep things the way they are finishing to end of term.

[ballysdad]

From what I have read Verizon and other cell carriers use a database that sees when someone files ch7. The actual phone lease contract is something else that they cannot collect on so they usually terminate the lease agreement. I do not know or have not heard them coming after the phone but they still retain service if they continue to pay for the plan.

[YankeeNation]

I came a cross the same issue last year before my discharge (9/19). What will happen is Verizon will give you a large credit because of the device payments you have on your plans, the credit will drop off and you simply be paying for the data. You won't loose service. 

Since then I've been able to upgrade to newer phones. You'll be fine!

[Anonymous]

@YankeeNation you are able to upgrade without a deposit?  I've read ppl have been required to pay a deposit after. 

[YankeeNation]

In my case I was able to upgrade without having to leave a deposit. I have 5 lines and have upgraded 3 of them so far.

I did wait a few months after my discharge to upgrade.

[Anonymous]

We have VZW and filed chap7 didn't include them but they got notice and removed device payments for our watches. Service stayed on and no issues. We called their BK dept and confirmed no interruptions would occur 

[Anonymous]

I have two iPhone XR's on my account so I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon until they die.  I guess I'll enjoy my phone bill being $60 cheaper now, thanks guys.

[Anonymous]

How does that work then? Is the device just automatically paid off then with no money owing? So you owe nothing on the device and could trade it in? I called AT&T this AM and told them I had filed bankruptcy last week and asked how my account would be impacted and they didn't say a lot other than I could keep paying my bill as normal.

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[Anonymous]

According to my bill they gave me a huge credit for the price of the phones and now my bills is $60 cheaper a month.