Forum Discussion

mr__ed's avatar
mr__ed
Explorer
Jun 23, 2023

Wireless Provider Gripe

I received a notification from T-Mobile that in order to receive my discount for auto pay I would need to give them either my debit card or banking account number in order to continue getting the discount.

I will never give any business my debit card or banking info!. The discount is only a paltry $5/month. I understand why they're doing this; they save the fee that it costs them for using a credit card.

I kick myself for leaving Verizon,which I used for years. I was having a minor problem with them which I could easily have lived with. Anyhow, at least I have no problem with the T-Mobile product. I just don't like how some of theses businesses engage in business.

Rant over!:M
  • rk911's avatar
    rk911
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2023
    Why not open a second acct, fund it with, say, a year's worth of T-Mobile payments and give them that debit card numbe?
  • StonedPanther's avatar
    StonedPanther
    Explorer III
    Jun 23, 2023
    Rant away, but every time you swipe or jam your debit card in the slot anywhere you're giving that same info to a whole gaggle of businesses.
  • magicbus's avatar
    magicbus
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2023
    Personally I would never even have a debit card, too dangerous. But in your case why not open a no fee credit card and give them that number? You may find it makes your life easier by having other monthly bills put on autopsy too. It takes the same amount of self-control to pay the one credit card monthly bill as it takes to pay multiple regular bills.

    Dave
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2023
    If I read it right, the op is already on Autopay or is ok with using a credit card. The complaint is they now what access to a bank account or a debit card associated to a bank account. A dedicated bank account for paying t-mobile and other services is a good one. Limits exposure. I’d give the the bank account number instead of a debit card.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jun 23, 2023
    I thinks it sort of naïve to think you can somehow shield your info by not using a debit card. How do you pay the credit card that T mobile now uses? With a check?
    When you write a check you put all your info out there. Are you fearful of writing a check? In the end its no different in terms of others having access to your info.
  • magicbus's avatar
    magicbus
    Explorer II
    Jun 23, 2023
    Lantley wrote:
    I thinks it sort of naïve to think you can somehow shield your info by not using a debit card. How do you pay the credit card that T mobile now uses? With a check?
    When you write a check you put all your info out there. Are you fearful of writing a check? In the end its no different in terms of others having access to your info.

    I pay with an e-payment via online banking. Regarding checks, go read up on check washing. There really is no reason to use paper checks anymore. And, if your debit card is compromised your bank account gets emptied. With a CC you just reject the charge.

    No reason whatsoever to have a debit card.

    Dave
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jun 23, 2023
    magicbus wrote:
    Lantley wrote:
    I thinks it sort of naïve to think you can somehow shield your info by not using a debit card. How do you pay the credit card that T mobile now uses? With a check?
    When you write a check you put all your info out there. Are you fearful of writing a check? In the end its no different in terms of others having access to your info.

    I pay with an e-payment via online banking. Regarding checks, go read up on check washing. There really is no reason to use paper checks anymore. And, if your debit card is compromised your bank account gets emptied. With a CC you just reject the charge.

    No reason whatsoever to have a debit card.

    Dave

    But E-pay still puts your info out there which is my point.
    Either you trust the electronic banking world or you don't. There is really no escaping it unless you pay all bills and all matters with cash. THere is only one banking system it's all tied together.
    Sooner or later you have to pay the bill. Unless you pay in cash you participate in some form of the system.
    If T-Mobile is offering you $60.00 in savings a year why not take it?
    They would rather give you a discount vs. paying credit card fees to the bank.
    No matter how you slice it at some point you are exposing your banking info, which will always have an inherent risk. Fraud, identity theft and deception are not a new phenomenon's. They have been around long before electronic banking and debit cards.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jun 23, 2023
    I would find the proper number for T-mobile and call them. Odds are if you got the notice through email to change to a debit card, it is a scam. I've not heard others using T-mobile mentioning this change so I would be leary.
  • jcpainter's avatar
    jcpainter
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2023
    schlep1967 wrote:
    I would find the proper number for T-mobile and call them. Odds are if you got the notice through email to change to a debit card, it is a scam. I've not heard others using T-mobile mentioning this change so I would be leary.


    Here's the "skinny". The change is real.

About RV Must Haves

Have a product you cannot live without? Share it with the community!8,793 PostsLatest Activity: Aug 22, 2023