Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Autopay is easily one of the most convenient ways to pay your bills, especially if you’re like me and struggle to keep track of everything manually. Without autopay, it’s easy to accidentally miss a payment if you’re not careful. In the past, I’ve used autopay for nearly everything — from health and car insurance to utility bills, recurring entertainment subscriptions, and, of course, services like phone plans that offer discounts for autopay enrollment. While there’s much to appreciate about autopay, there’s also a dark side I’ve discovered over the years.
Is the autopay discount offered by your phone provider worth it? For many, I believe the answer is yes, but it’s essential to be aware of the downsides and take precautions. Let’s start by exploring a few potential disadvantages of autopay discounts and some steps you can take to mitigate the associated risks.
Is that autopay discount really worth it? 6 votes Yes 33 % Yes, but with extra precautions like a second bank account or credit card. 50 % No 17 % Unsure/other (Tell us more in comments) 0 %
Accidental charges Accidental or incorrect charges are more common than you might think. For example, in a recent Reddit thread, user Ok-Concentrate4461 reported being triple-charged by Verizon in one month. Another user experienced a bill attempting to charge again for the previous month, despite the account already being current.
Sometimes, these charges aren’t even related directly to your account! About a month ago (though I can’t find the source anymore), I saw a Redditor complaining about charges from an old landline account not associated with their mobile service. It turned out someone on their line had an unpaid bill from years prior, and the carrier charged it using the autopay method, regardless of whether the actual account holder had any involvement.
Autopay makes it easier to forget about some of your bills, increasing the likelihood of accidental charges slipping through unnoticed.
There have also been incidents where accounts ended up with someone else’s autopay information, likely due to a customer service mix-up.
Even if you convince your carrier to acknowledge the mistake, securing an actual refund can be challenging. Most carriers prefer to provide bill credits rather than outright refunds. If this happens to you, insist on clarity regarding how long it’ll take to recover your money.
Reduced awareness of bills and service changes
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