T-Mobile Home Internet Gateway - Replacement Isssues

[dkoldman]

I don’t use debit cards for anything other than ATM withdrawals, and that’s only on very rare occasions. I really prefer credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases anyway for the cash back credits. T-Mobile, Atmos, GP Water Dept, and my current REP are all getting me cash back…win-win!

We do the same thing, but to a different degree. Since yesterday, I believe I have ACH for all 3 that you mentioned, T-Mobile, Atmos, and City of Carrollton Water, Sewer & Trash pickup. There were financial reasons / benefits for me to go to ACH on all three. Where we may differ is you are worried about the security of ACH transaction for at least those 3 entities, I am not.

I do have a card that allows me to get cash withdrawals, but the code to use for actual debit transaction is either disabled or it has never been set. I only use that card to get cash from ATM at my bank anyway. Never used a 3rd part ATM machine, now that is something I don't trust.

 

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

You can do Debit card for AutoPay discount. My kids have Debit cards, but I don't. I view a debit card as more risk than ACH. Yes it does matter who you ACH with, but debit cards are normally used everywhere, or with anyone. I have 9 years of billing from T Mobile, their flawless history, no surprise billing, no price increases unless you are changing products says all I need to know and ACH don't concern me for T Mobile. Besides my checking account is insured for up to $250,000. Make no mistake, when I first heard, I too had trouble believing, so I called. But T Mobile is like my wife, if she needs something; I known her long enough to know it is real need. I like T Mobile's low cost; so I ain't mad at them

I have been a T-Mobile customer for 3 years now. I have autopay set up through my charge card. So far T-Mobile has not come to me and requested ACH payments. When they do, I will be upset over the fact that I loose the 2% cashback generated from my charge card. Right now, that is worth an additional $2.50 each month. When my equipment is paid off that will drop by about $1.10.

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

We do the same thing, but to a different degree. Since yesterday, I believe I have ACH for all 3 that you mentioned, T-Mobile, Atmos, and City of Carrollton Water, Sewer & Trash pickup. There were financial reasons / benefits for me to go to ACH on all three. Where we may differ is you are worried about the security of ACH transaction for at least those 3 entities, I am not.

I do have a card that allows me to get cash withdrawals, but the code to use for actual debit transaction is either disabled or it has never been set. I only use that card to get cash from ATM at my bank anyway. Never used a 3rd part ATM machine, now that is something I don't trust.

It’s not so much the security of individual ACH transactions conducted with those three such entities, it’s having my ACH information stored by any of them for the sole purpose of them being allowed to withdraw automatic payments. Both the city of GP and T-Mobile had significant data breaches in the past 2-4 years, but of course they are not alone in having had that happen. I use ACH payments routinely for paying credit cards for instance, but only for one time payments. So I’ll use it where necessary but never where I don’t need to.

 

[dkoldman]

It’s not so much the security of individual ACH transactions conducted with those three such entities, it’s having my ACH information stored by any of them for the sole purpose of them being allowed to withdraw automatic payments. Both the city of GP and T-Mobile had significant data breaches in the past 2-4 years, but of course they are not alone in having had that happen. I use ACH payments routinely for paying credit cards for instance, but only for one time payments. So I’ll use it where necessary but never where I don’t need to.

Have you ever written anybody a check? If so; they have all of the ACH information they need to know. Routing numbers are publicly available by bank name.

Again, we are no different when you say " So I’ll use it where necessary but never where I don’t need to."

With T Mobile it will become NECESSARY as one of two solution options to maintain AutoPay discounts. For me it is the only solution because I don't do or have a debit card. I rather have authorized ACH transaction over having a Debit card, it is safer to me.

I am curious, how did you get $25/mo discounts?, do you have 5 T-mobile accounts or something similar. The AutoPay discount is only $5.

 

[dkoldman]

I have been a T-Mobile customer for 3 years now. I have autopay set up through my charge card. So far T-Mobile has not come to me and requested ACH payments. When they do, I will be upset over the fact that I loose the 2% cashback generated from my charge card. Right now, that is worth an additional $2.50 each month. When my equipment is paid off that will drop by about $1.10.

To be clear and if you read where this point of emphasis started.

I NEVER said "T-Mobile came to me and requested ACH payments" They did NOT!!! I called them to ask. I called to ask because I heard of the policy change to which the Goodlife pointed out got delayed by 1 month. I was trying to make sure I did not miss the new cutoff day.

I find the views to ACH hilarious, cannot wait to 8/1 to see what happens. I have been with T Mobile for 9 years, and I have NEVER had ANY equipment charges unless you count a CIM card?). I have always bought my T Mobile phones brand new, or Mfg refurbished from ebay or Amazon, and my Home Internet device has no equipment fees. Ironically my T mobile phones are paid in full using my credit cards associated with ebay & Amazon anyway.

My Public Service Announcement was just passing the information along. I apologize if I have caused concern. Not my style.

Maybe if T Mobile customers hit the streets or shoot a T Mobile phone they will awaken; but likely not change their policy which is to stop paying those fees to the credit card companies we use. In T Mobile's case, IMO they give us back the fees in low cost (discounts) anyway.

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

Don’t worry that you’re causing anyone concern, this is no big deal. T-Mobile messaged that this was coming last spring so it’s not really news to any current account holder. If you feel so loyal to them that you will do what they may require regarding changes to their payment terms that is fine but not all of us are so inclined. I’ll treat them as any other business, which currently is working fine for me but if they modify any of their current terms to be unacceptable to me as their customer they are not “necessary” and will be replaced. FYI in answer to your questions paper checks are so yesteryear that I haven’t used one since ancient times, and T-Mobile is currently discounting each of our five lines by $5 for auto pay.

 

[dkoldman]

Don’t worry that you’re causing anyone concern, this is no big deal. T-Mobile messaged that this was coming last spring so it’s not really news to any current account holder. If you feel so loyal to them that you will do what they may require regarding changes to their payment terms that is fine but not all of us are so inclined. I’ll treat them as any other business, which currently is working fine for me but if they modify any of their current terms to be unacceptable to me as their customer they are not “necessary” and will be replaced. FYI in answer to your questions paper checks are so yesteryear that I haven’t used one since ancient times, and T-Mobile is currently discounting each of our five lines by $5 for auto pay.

Since you have known about since last Spring, what is your plan to do before deadline, or do you believe they are not going to do what they say they will?

I went to check, I didn't get any Text from T - Mobile about this change, but I did get the below email on 6/15. So 7/17 is the deadline I called to inquire about.

Action Needed:
Update your payment method to receive your AutoPay discounts
ACTION NEEDED by 07/17/2023. We’re making changes to the payment methods that qualify for AutoPay discounts. To continue receiving the $5.00 AutoPay discount, you must update your payment method to a debit card or a bank account.

Visit your T-Mobile account to update your payment method and keep your discount by 07/17/2023.​

Yes I have un-paralleled support and loyalty to T Mobile, they have been great to me. My bill was cut in half from AT&T.

I still use checks but admit most of my checks are processed by Bill Pay. Example of my last handwritten check written was last weekend, I wrote a check for our voluntary Neighborhood Association dues. Put in a envelope and stuffed into a Cooler box the Treasurer had outside in front of her house. But the point is/was ACH only requires routing # and bank account number. So if you don't ever use Bill Pay or write checks it will at least be consistent with not using ACH. But don't forget where we agree, I’ll only use it where necessary but never where I don’t need to.

I truly hope we come back to the topic on 8/1 to see what T Mobile customers that had credit card autopay did?

On other topic I may have to call T Mobile but it is not clear to me if you are saying you have 5 accounts with T Mobile or 1 account and they are giving you $25 for Autopay for the one account? I don't doubt they would do that for 1 account, but the bill must be staggering? I have 6 lines including Home Internet, but only one account. If I am following; you I should or could be getting $30/mo autopay discount? That would be free Home Internet for me

 

[Judge64]

Since you have known about since last Spring, what is your plan to do before deadline, or do you believe they are not going to do what they say they will?

I went to check, I didn't get any Text from T - Mobile about this change, but I did get the below email on 6/15. So 7/17 is the deadline I called to inquire about.

Action Needed:
Update your payment method to receive your AutoPay discounts
ACTION NEEDED by 07/17/2023. We’re making changes to the payment methods that qualify for AutoPay discounts. To continue receiving the $5.00 AutoPay discount, you must update your payment method to a debit card or a bank account.

Visit your T-Mobile account to update your payment method and keep your discount by 07/17/2023.​

Yes I have un-paralleled support and loyalty to T Mobile, they have been great to me. My bill was cut in half from AT&T.

I still use checks but admit most of my checks are processed by Bill Pay. Example of my last handwritten check written was last weekend, I wrote a check for our voluntary Neighborhood Association dues. Put in a envelope and stuffed into a Cooler box the Treasurer had outside in front of her house. But the point is/was ACH only requires routing # and bank account number. So if you don't ever use Bill Pay or write checks it will at least be consistent with not using ACH. But don't forget where we agree, I’ll only use it where necessary but never where I don’t need to.

I truly hope we come back to the topic on 8/1 to see what T Mobile customers that had credit card autopay did?

On other topic I may have to call T Mobile but it is not clear to me if you are saying you have 5 accounts with T Mobile or 1 account and they are giving you $25 for Autopay for the one account? I don't doubt they would do that for 1 account, but the bill must be staggering? I have 6 lines including Home Internet, but only one account. If I am following; you I should or could be getting $30/mo autopay discount? That would be free Home Internet for me

I just went through my T-Mobile emails plus logged into my account. There is nothing about the need to switch from a credit card.

We’ll see what happens next billing cycle.

 

[dkoldman]

I just went through my T-Mobile emails plus logged into my account. There is nothing about the need to switch from a credit card.

We’ll see what happens next billing cycle.

My email subject title is/was "Upcoming payment changes for AutoPay discounts"

Deadline was 7/17/23 in my email so it will have to be billing done after that date. I suspect if they delayed before, it was probably to get their act to communicate together?

Here is an article about it. CNET is usually pretty reliable
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/t-mobile-changes-autopay-discounts-what-you-need-to-know/

Odd thing for me is that I believe I only get the discount for my Home Internet line? I believe my other lines have had the same rate and plan for 9 years and so AutoPay is not applicable? My unlimited rates are so cheap Every time they try to convert us to Magenta the costs almost doubles, so I just leave well enough alone.

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

On other topic I may have to call T Mobile but it is not clear to me if you are saying you have 5 accounts with T Mobile or 1 account and they are giving you $25 for Autopay for the one account? I don't doubt they would do that for 1 account, but the bill must be staggering? I have 6 lines including Home Internet, but only one account. If I am following; you I should or could be getting $30/mo autopay discount? That would be free Home Internet for me

^^^^Edited for brevity***

One account five lines, which includes Home ‘net, two iPhones, one iPad, one hotspot. $5 discount for auto pay applied to each line, totaling $25/month.

I have no idea what auto pay discount T-Mobile should or could be offering you, nor do I have any idea of what a “staggering” bill might be. Whatever it is I haven’t seen one yet, nor any email or text notice requiring ACH or debit card arrangements for auto pay.

 

[dkoldman]

^^^^Edited for brevity***

One account five lines, which includes Home ‘net, two iPhones, one iPad, one hotspot. $5 discount for auto pay applied to each line, totaling $25/month.

I have no idea what auto pay discount T-Mobile should or could be offering you, nor do I have any idea of what a “staggering” bill might be. Whatever it is I haven’t seen one yet, nor any email or text notice requiring ACH or debit card arrangements for auto pay.

Curiosity had me call T Mobile to see why, my discount is only $5 despite having 6 lines. Turns out that I don't have the $5 discount for AutoPay on my 5 phone lines for two reasons. #1 I have a superseded discount with an employer that is far greater the $5 discount; and #2 our phone plan is 10 years old, grandfathered, and it is significantly lower to begin with than the newer plans so it would not qualify for $5 AutoPay discount. Even if I did NOT have the discounted rate from employer I still could not get the $5 discount because current phone plan that is already low.

So this just leaves what happens on 7/17. Might be a lot of pissed off T Mobile customers in a few weeks.