Mobile Carriers Push for Autopay Discounts and Bank Account Access
Wireless carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are now requiring customers to switch to a debit card or bank account withdrawal in order to receive the autopay discount on their plans, cutting back on credit card processing costs. AT&T and T-Mobile's new rule goes into effect in October, while Verizon's autopay discount can only be obtained with a Verizon Visa card. The change applies to all postpaid accounts, impacting both new and existing customers. While understandable due to high credit card processing fees, carriers continue to advertise plan pricing with the autopay discount, requiring customers to read the fine print.