We’ve all been there before – receiving a telecom bill that is much more than expected due to an unfortunate late fee. Whether from forgetfulness or financial circumstances, not paying a bill on time carries with it many consequences. That is why Telanalysis is here to help inform everyone about the ins and outs of telecom late fees and how to prevent them from occurring again in the future.
With phone, internet, cable bills and more, it is no wonder your finances can become so difficult to keep track of. However, there are a handful of preventative actions you can take to avoid late fees. Here are tips to ensure that each telecom bill is paid in full and on time:
- If applicable, sign up for alerts from the carrier. This way, they can send out a payment reminder before each due date. Some companies offer these alerts through phone calls, emails or texts. Register for the most convenient one for you, and ensure that the due date does not slip by ever again.
- Automation is an electronic payment option. This is when the price of the bill is automatically withdrawn from a bank account or credit card. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to this alternative. A benefit is that the owner does not have to do anything except check the total. A negative, however, is that everyone handles their finances differently and, with automatic payments, it is essential that the right amount of money be in the account on the day of withdrawal so you avoid any potential overdraft fees.
- Set personal alarms for each month to serve as reminders. This can be done on a cell phone, computer, hardcopy calendar, planner, and so on. These reminders will help you to keep all of your bills under control, given that several telecom fees may be due at different times or through different providers.
- Talk to the carrier and ask to alter the due dates. This way, your bills can be paid on days that are easier to remember and are more financially convenient to you. For instance, you can request to switch due dates to pay days, the end of the month, the first of the month, and so on.
- Take the time to look over each bill. It is a good idea to set aside a certain time of the month to review when all bills will need to be paid and how much is due, as well as giving yourself the chance to address any financial situations that may arise. This provides you the opportunity to get more organized and plan accordingly.
While these tips might help create a routine or online payment solution, if a late fee does occur, it is important to be prepared. For instance, when a bill due date or grace period is missed, the provider may turn off all services if the costs are not paid on time. In some cases, it could also affect your credit score, plus, of course, there’s the infamous late fees.
If this happens, there are several actions that can be taken. First, like all of our clients, allow Telanalysis to review the bill and ensure that the account has not been overcharged. Then call the provider and explain why the bill was not paid in a timely manner. If you have been a loyal customer, be sure to point this out. However, if the late fee is still not waived from the bill, try to clarify what measures will be taken in the following months to ensure that the due date does not slip by again. For more information on late fees, bill charges, and other telecom expenses, please contact us today!