what's up with T-mobile removing autopay discount for credit cards?

I started out with Sprint, and after the merger I thought service was going to be better. In some ways yes, but performance and accessibility is another. In another way to tell us customers that they're changing our agreement and stopping discounts. In any large company that you pay for product or service out there ... just name them ... transaction fees are always there, it is the added cost that is already calculated into the price of the service or product. I believe that the smart people in charge has leveled out revenue and needed to find others ways to give themselves raises. It is my belief, they are going the wrong way... it would be better if they were to have the added savings offered to those willing to change payment method for a better discount. Removing the discount would have greater problems with billing and loyalty.

classaction02 wrote:

Are there ay lawyers out there? I don' think it is legal to change the rules after you already made an agreement. What about a Class action law suite ??? I have been using my CC since I started with T-mobile in 2022 Feb. Now I will lose my discount. I chatted with them and was told that it is because people will pay with CC, get the discount, then revers the charge, REally? I don't think that is the case. How can they really expect someone to be forced to use a personal checking account or debit card to receive the discount. I can choose to use my CC but at a cost now of 20.00 a month, this is basically a charge to protect my checking account from being hacked. 

let me know if you find one for a class action suit I am ready to sign

In a chat conversation today with “Jivy”:

Me: Why is my credit card no longer eligible for the autopay discount?

Jivy: To be honest with you that one of the reason why the credit card is not eligible for a Autopay discount is because when you use the debit card it will make sure that you have funds on your account and will avoid any back out payment that might cause you a draft fees.

Me: Draft fees don't apply to credit cards, only debit cards.

Jivy: We get your point. Also we want to continue to provide customer with the best value in wireless through our Autopay Discount program and the best way to keep this program is to get you to use either a bank account or debit card for autopay. I understand that you may still prefer to use your Credit card as a payment method, and I can help you work through your options. However, I strongly recommend that we switch you over to an eligible payment method so you can keep the discount. Is this something you'd like me to help you with ?

Me: The best way for ME is to use my credit card, and especially since T-Mobile has suffered not one but MULTIPLE data breeches, two just this year! Tell me again why I should entrust my bank account information to T-Mobile?

Jivy: I totally understand you on that. And as part of T-Mobile my apology for this kind of inconvenience. Our systems and policies prevented the most sensitive types of customer information from being accessed, and as a result, customer accounts and finances should not be put at risk by this event. If you prefer, you can still use your credit card to pay your bill, however it won't be eligible for the AutoPay discount.

So basically, a fancy-worded “go f*** yourself” from T-Mobile.

T-Mobile needs to reconsider their auto pay change from credit card to bank account, especially with the security breach they have been subject to.  Also I will loose my phones insurance coverage provided by the credit card company.  

Been with T Mobile for over 7 years,  this payment change needs to be reversed.😡

Fraud potential.  TMO Customer Data Breaches Sept 2023, April 2023, Jan 2023, Aug 2021, Dec 2020, March, 2020, Nov 2019, Aug 2018. See the data breach news on Firewall Times Sept 28, 2023 article by Catherine Reed.  Ah No you may not have my debit card or bank account information to give to hackers.  I will also remove my credit card from the TMO customer profile, as I don't want to be in the next hack. As a 20 year plus customer with TMO, can't believe we can't have the credit card option, even a small service fee for use of the CC (1.5% to 3.5% of transaction), but docking us $15 for your own TMO data breaches to keep our bank accounts on file -- that's a no.  30 year banker here with payment industry experience.  Don't do this folks.  There is far less protection for the consumer if your bank account or debit card is breached than a credit card. KNOW your rights as a consumer.  Don't let your bank account or debit card be compromised by a company with 8 hacks in 5 years.  Shop around. 

Rickajho wrote:

cloh76 wrote:

I just got the message too.  It's stupid.  Especially since I use Apple Pay which gives me the additional 3% cashback on top of the $20 discount

And the credit card I pay with has phone insurance covering theft and accidental damage. As long as I pay the bill with it...

Tmobile best rethink this decision. 

I'm in the same boat as you but my Tmobile plan pays my taxes. I don't think many other carriers do that.

I just received my text notice from T-Mobile about qualifying payment methods today. As if T-Mobile hasn't slid down the customer service ratings enough, those in their pink, ivory towers throw down another gauntlet to inconvenience their loyal customers.

After, nearly two and a half years as a T-Mobile customer, I am searching elsewhere for a company to provide my mobile phone service. It has been evident from the problems T-Mobile customers have been suffering through over the past year (customer care, technical support, service issues, data breaches) that retaining a solid customer base isn't the top priority of T-Mobile's C-Suite. Wise corporate executives know it's much easier for a company to keep its current client base than to try and obtain new customers.

Making an concerted effort to use creative ways to keep their customers happy, T-Mobile can implement strategies to permit customers to continue their use of credit cards without penalty. One method is to grandfather in, existing, long-term, customers and permit these customers to use existing payment methods via credit card while still receiving auto-pay discounts.

Ditch some of the non-beneficial perks and T-Mobile offers. The offers occurring on T-Mobile Tuesdays have been dismal for many months. Most of the content on Netflix isn't worth watching. SiriusXM is not a topnotch music streaming service. I can easily live without several T-Mobile perks in exchange for the ability to use my credit card. I will bet other T-Mobile customers are willing to do the same.

Despite the customer care and technical issues I have been experiencing for almost a year, I had decided to continue to be a T-Mobile customer. The recent and regrettable T-Mobile policy on acceptable payment methods for auto-pay discounts has extinguished any remaining loyalties to T-Mobile that might have kept me as a customer.

My problem is this: I use a credit card to pay my cellphone/internet bill because the credit card company gives me an excellent cell phone insurance plan for all devices with very low deductible, theft and damage protection.

T-Mobile now forcing me to pay with a method that removes my phones insurance plan (T-Mobile insurance option is ridiculously expensive with very high deductibles) 

It bothers me tremendously that it would cost me $360 a year discount (autopay) to continue with the credit card.  T-Mobile doesn't want to pay 2% - 3% fees to credit card companies, (costs of doing business) so go ahead and back out of an agreement (T-Mobile and customer agreement) I signed up for. Lame. Outsourced customer service to countries which are not English speaking personnel to save money as well. So tired of the customer suffers all for profit margins and wealthy share holders.  Once again, "we offer you mediocre, substandard services, albeit overpriced (it's the best we can do) so just shut up and pay your bill already….."

Very unhappy with this change as will, Tmobile should not be considering this! I'll have to look at another moblie provider as will. HATE THIS CHANGE!!!

syaoran wrote:

That was announced months ago.  It is because credit card companies charge a service charge that is based on the percentage of every transaction, which eats into T-Mobile's revenue.  Removing the auto pay discount for credit cards negates that.  

But unfortunately  T Mobile does NOT have a track record of security their customers PII (Personal Identfying Information) along with any banking account data.

November 2019 - 1 Million Pre-Paid customers had their data stolen

March 2020 - Another hacking in which T Mobile did not disclose the number of affected customers

August 2020 - 2 Million customers had their data stolen

December 2020 - 200,000 customer had their data stolen

August 2021 - 40 Million customers had their data stolen

January 2023 - 37 Million customers had their data stolen

April 2023 - 836 customers had their data stolen

That is 7 breaches of data in the last 4 years.

This information can be found easily on the Firewall Times website.

Furthermore, in reviewing the company's Annual statements and a continued search on the web, they do not have any SOC 2 Reports (System and Organizational Controls)  These report would indicate the vetting of their own security systems as well as any third parties that they would enter into agreements with.  Someone in the Corporate Compliance and Audit department is not doing the due diligence in ensuring their internal systems and controls could handle data integrity losses.

With all said above, it is not worth the $60 savings annually that I would receive as my bank accounts and the hassle of dealing with lost personal information is worth more than that.  They can send me a paper bill for me to pay them.