Wireless Provider Gripe

[mr__ed]

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

[LouLawrence]

I am a long term T-Mobile customer. I even just added their unlimited Home Internet option to my account and I have not gotten and notification of any changes to my billing requirements. It has been being charged to my CC for years and I am hopeful that will continue.

[pbeverly]

jcpainter wrote:
pbeverly Which CC offers virtual cards?

Thank you

CitiBank. The expiration dates re 2 years out and at that point you can now extend the date out another 2 years.

[ktmrfs]

jcpainter wrote:
pbeverly Which CC offers virtual cards?

Thank you

for any online transaction my VISA, Discover allow me to create a virtual one time use card.
Paypal is basically the same process. With Paypal the amount you ok for a transaction can only be used once by the vendor. If for instance they do a partial shipment and back order, the partial amount will be paid by the initial transaction but Paypal will not allow a second transaction, even if the total amount from both transactions is the total first ok'd. So paypal is basically a "one and done" system.

I prefer paypal for online purchases, and only use a CC if I know the vendor and they don't take Paypal. (very seldom the case).

My Visa is set up so that on any online transaction I use it for after entering the card number and info I must enter the 3 digit code on the back in a seperate pop up window for the transaction to be allowed.

Automatic bill pay with VISA is set up seperately for each service and varies.

[jcpainter]

pbeverly Which CC offers virtual cards?

Thank you

[pbeverly]

ktmrfs wrote:
Every single repeating bill I have is done via autopay with either my CC or in a few cases bank checking account. probably two dozen or more /month. Been doing that for almost 20 years. never have had any issues, Collect the points on my CC, points pay for my airplane tickets, pay balance very month as autopay from checking,

Unlike others I also DO have a debit card. Use it at the ATM to get cash when I want it.

Pretty much the same here. My card allows me to create virtual credit cards. For anything online/phone no one gets my real credit card number. For instance, I have a virtual card just for streaming services. If that number was to get hacked only those services are affected. I close the virtual, create a new one. Since it isn't the real credit card number the whole world is not affected if it gets hacked.

[ktmrfs]

Every single repeating bill I have is done via autopay with either my CC or in a few cases bank checking account. probably two dozen or more /month. Been doing that for almost 20 years. never have had any issues, Collect the points on my CC, points pay for my airplane tickets, pay balance very month as autopay from checking,

Unlike others I also DO have a debit card. Use it at the ATM to get cash when I want it.

[Dutch_12078]

The majority of debit cards these days are managed by MasterCard or VISA, and typically carry the same reimbursement rules for fraudulent charges as their credit cards.

[NamMedevac_70]

As of yesterday I placed an order for T-Mobile home internet and the call center guy clearly stated I would receive the auto pay discount by using my CREDIT CARD for payments. However, I have had online salesman (call center operators) lie to me before such as AT&T, etc. They are all about the same to me.

I have debit cards to use only for my bank ATMs but not for anything else. If I do not receive the discount then it is only $5.00 and not a big rip off to me. Rolling, rolling, rolling.

[Community Alumni]

I just heard this on Clark Howard where a caller had the same identical question.

Clarks answer was:

Do not give them your Debit Card or Bank Information. Open an online checking account and fund that for this situation.

JimR

[Lantley]

Once upon a time long before debit cards and routing numbers we our check in the mail. Now the post office is warning us not to mail check
Do Not put checks in the mails
Now we must pick our poison. Debit, routing numbers or credit card card. None of the methods are foolproof. We should not kid ourselves, there is inherent risk to ALL electronic transactions.

[Thermoguy]

I had the same update from Xfinity - they want bank info, already was using my debit card, but now they want your bank routing number, etc to get the $10 per month discount. Was $10 for using CC or debit card, but changing to $5 discount per month for CC or debit but $10 per month if you give them your bank info. I'm not giving them my bank routing information.

This is not the same as bill pay, that is something you initiate, this is where they have access to your account and take the money monthly.

[Lantley]

way2roll wrote:

StonedPanther wrote:
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.

This is totally false. Swiping your card creates a transaction between the bank and the merchant. No personal information is shared and no other businesses are involved.

If we agree that it only creates a transaction between bank and merchant. How many individuals are we talking about? How many people within the bank and merchant's organization have access to the data.
Certainly more than just 2 people. Banks and merchants have internal loss prevention departments for a reason.
It only takes one bad apple.

[Community Alumni]

mr.ed

I too have 2 bills that I pay with a credit card, and I hope it stays that way, but if and when it changes to a Debt card or Bank Account Access I will probibly open a second banking account that will hold a small amount for the bills.

Reguardless of what others say or claim my fear with a debt card is an error on the bill. I have seen on the news where the electric bill was billed at say 30,000 dollars, yes it is rare but can happen wipping out your account. Also depending on the bank it could take some time to recover as all are not the same.

Here is somthing that might work good for you as posted earlier in this thread:

T-Mobile doesn't operate its own bank. Instead, they partnered with BankMobile to offer T-Mobile MONEY, an online bank that provides checking and savings accounts. T-Mobile MONEY accounts are powered by BMTX and provided by Customers Bank, a member of the FDIC. T-Mobile MONEY accounts have no monthly fees, no minimum balance fees, no overdraft fees, no transfer fees, and no late payment fees. T-Mobile MONEY accounts are available to residents of the U.S., except Puerto Rico.

JimR

[StonedPanther]

way2roll wrote:

StonedPanther wrote:
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.

This is totally false. Swiping your card creates a transaction between the bank and the merchant. No personal information is shared and no other businesses are involved.

Whatever you say. Your story and I'm sure you're sticking to it. I'll not waste the time to explain further.

[way2roll]

StonedPanther wrote:
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.

This is totally false. Swiping your card creates a transaction between the bank and the merchant. No personal information is shared and no other businesses are involved.