This is  Verizon Wireless

got a text from this number. definately not vzw. i noticed right away from their voice menu. when an operator picked u, they said "thank you for choosing vzw, my name is ..... how can I help you?" I asked them if they were actually vzw or a 3rd party company. they said they were the real vzw. I asked them to transfer me to the government employee department. They said sure and hung up the phone on me.
DEFINATELY NOT THE REAL VZW.

VZW does this to help you avoid high overages that might put a bad taste in your mouth about Verizon Wireless.  The texts/phone calls are based on the last 3 months of usage, so you may not currently be over your texting, data, or voice minutes.  They will offer to put you on the next plan up for service and backdate the plan, which will often bring your overages way down.  You can always switch back the next billing cycle if it was a one-time overage. If you are unsure of the validity of any text/call from VZW, dial *611 from your handset to contact Verizon Wireless customer service.  This is airtime free.  The number on the original post is authorized by Verizon Wireless.  This is a 3rd party company hired specifically to handle these calls; however, they have been handling these calls since 2004 and are trusted and trained by VZW.  VZW simply does not have the facilities to handle certain "outside the box" calls.  *611 will always be a safe option if you are not comfortable with the person you are calling or who is calling you.  As far as transerring the customer to other departments, The company will generally give out 2 numbers.  The customer service 800 number and the CMO (promotions) department.  These are direct VZW numbers.

sent my wife a text saying
FREE VZW MSG: 1 OF YOUR LINES HAS INCURED SUBSTANTIAL DATA USAGE CHARGES ON YOUR ACCOUNT. We can help . Call 800-849-5963 for details. reply X 2 opt out.

then checked my account online and my data usage is at 0.0 kb

Received a[n] SMS:

--[snip]--
900-070-002519
You are trending to incur substantial data usage charges on your account.  We can help.  Call 800-849-5963 for details.  Reply Q2 to opt out.
--[snip]--

With a plan with unlimited data and text usage.  Go figure.  Verizon *611 said disregard it.

This is an OUTSOURCED company through Verizon Wireless

Same Question ... who are they?