Keep getting calls and texts.  If people are having a tough time,
and are trying their best, why does collections, etc., not take
any of that into acct??! For anyone who is making payments,
if it's really collections,  they should see that, not continually
harrass people!

The 888-821-0284 number is to the billing accounts dept of Verizonwireless.

Verizon does indeed text you if you are really late on your bill.  The message is legit all though I did get one today not sure why because I paid last month and technically I'm not late yet on this months bill.

This 888 number though was a tad confusing....I deleted the text message all ready passed it off as a glitch in the system.

they  want  you  to   call  ,  go  through  the  long  messages  of  press  1,2,3,4,5,6, etc  and  wait  for  some  one  to answer  . that is  cheaper   for  them   in  stead  of  having  to put  more  people  on   duty. This  way it is  your  time  and   they  dont   care.

You can block numbers at verizonwireless.com, if you have an account there.   If it is a Verizon number they won't block it.  Note:   Blocked numbers are good for 90 days and then you have to go back in and set up again

From 9009005283

We are researching your concerns and need your assistance. Please contact Verizon Wireless at 888-821-0284. Thank you for your business.

the number 888-821-0284 has been flagged as a fraudulent number. It's a good thing you didn't call it. Verizon has actually been having a problem with scammers lately. the scammers are trying to get you to call them and they'll probably give you some story that there is something wrong with one of your accounts, then they try to draw your personal information out of you.

Dont know why they are calling.

Just got this message at 10am but from 900090005062. Wondering if everyone else in my plan got it as well. Kind of stupid, I'm not the main number on my plan, I'm sure me, nor my little brother or sister need to be bothered by these texts even if they are legit. will be calling support after i get out of work.

Text came from 900-090-005954 - go figure how they got around posting that as the send number. Useless message same as all the others - call the 888 # to make a Verizon pymt. Right. And while I'm at it I'll give you all my bank account numbers.

Received same strange text mesaage telling me to hit #pmt to make a payment or call 888 number, go to myverizon and my next payment is due on the 4/7, now go figure..

I got a similar message today from 900-070-004483. I am a former fraud analyst, I'm not about to just reply to these things. I searched first, and found this. I wish Verizon would get on this!

Definitely a scam.  Got it too and my bill is all paid up.

I decided to call 611, and found out it was legit - as several other posters also found out.  Verizon had screwed up our new account and sent our bill snail mail to an old address, so we actually owed $360 and they were going to shut off our account.  I'm so glad that I checked it out.  (and I would not have responded thru texting, as it truly looked like a scam. best to make the phone call.)

I got this text message this morning at 10:53AM to call Verizon Financail Services I ignored it until got home from work.i turned on my computer and typed in 1 888-821-0284. i called Verizon *611 and explained to them about this text message that my service was shut off . I paid the minimun amount on my bill to have my service restored and i will pay the remaining amount when i get my next paycheck. he said ok. i told him the number in the text message he said it is NOT a Verizon number and said DO NOT call this number it is a scam. if you have any questions about text messages call *611 directly .the guy i talked to said if verizon calls you they use a 866 ... .... number. i hope this helps you.

its verizon financial services. i advise anyone and everyone who has a contract with verizon to switch to another carrier as soon as its up. verizon is over rated and doesnt give a s*** how long you have been a customer or how much money you owe.. its all about the money. verizon totally over rated... they suck

This message is actually from your provider, Verizon. It is sent when your bill is overdue. Just get on the website and log in there to pay your bill. You don't need to call back the number.

I got the same message ... thought it was a scam based on the discussion above.  I decided to go to my account directly through verizonwireless.com and saw that my balance was overdue.  (1st bill since I just switched from AT&T to Verizon).

It is a very strange way for them to send the message but apparently it is legit (or at least somewhat legit).  I'm still not sure I would call the number or press the send button.

You guys, I hate to break up all the name calling and fighting, but as it turns out this is a text from Verizon Wireless wanting you to get in touch with them. Like everyone on this site, I thought the text message was super shady and googled it before responding (not ever a bad idea). I knew my bill was up to date and was not due again for a couple weeks.

Turns out, there was a problem with my last payment; somehow the bank number had gotten mixed up and the payment was rejected for "an incorrect account" even though it had processed seemingly fine at the time I made the payment. Easily fixed by contacting my bank and sending the money again. If I hadn't gotten the text I would never have known there was a problem.

I suggest that if you get this text message, you call Verizon. Use 611 instead of the weird 888 number if it makes you feel better.

I received the same message: 900070002992: To avoid interruption of your Verizon Wireless service, please call 888-821-0284 or press the send key on your phone.  This is a free text message.

I contacted Verizon customer service directly (800-922-0204) and the representative confirmed this is a fraudulent text message.

This is a scam. I called verizon. These people are fishing for your credit card number. DO NOT call or text them

Got the message today. Same as rest. I called the real VZW and they said it was not them.

I just called the 611 number after ignoring the weird voice and text messages I've been getting for a week now. Long story short, I found out we did not get last months bill and so...apparently it didn't get paid. Also, the Verizon person I spoke with couldn't offer any verification for the 888 number, but did say they have "auto-generated numbers" they use to contact people regarding late payments.
I still wouldn't discount this as some kind of scam, but with all my experience with the clueless people at Verizon customer service, and the circus management Verizon invents, I can say this action being from Verizon is not a stretch by any means.

Same thing happened to me as stated by kebes22, right down to the wife that didn't pay the bill. Everything kebes22 says is spot on. Verizon is clueless people, that's why they aren't 'trying to solve the issue" (because the issue is Verizon!).

PS  They always ask for the last 4 digital of my social to look up my account at the GO Wireless store, and they aren't even owned by verizon.

I just called the 611 number after ignoring the weird voice and text messages i've been getting for a week now. Long story short, we did not get last months bill and so it didn't get paid. Also, the Verizon person I spoke with couldn't offer any verification for the 888 number, but did say they have "auto-generated numbers" they use to contact people regarding late payments.
I still wouldn't discount this as some kind of scam, but with all my experience with the clueless people at Verizon customer service, and the circus management Verizon invents, I can say this action being from Verizon is not a stretch by any means.

Agreed.  This is legit.  If you're skeptical like I was, call the customer service number from their official Verizon web site. You'll find out the hard way that you're not being farmed for the last 4 of your SSN - you're just being nudged for your payment.  At least in my case, their records online show a late payment even though my bank statement says otherwise.  RELAX people of earth... We Come In Peace.

More proof it's a scam.  I just got the text message saying "Please make a payment by dialing #PMT (#768) from your wireless phone or call Verizon Wireless at 888-821-0284.  This is a free text message."

As has already been mentioned, Verizon uses 611, not 768, not to mention, why would Verizon billing need to inform me that they are sending me a "free" text message?  BUT, the real clincher is that I have 1 of 5 phones on our family plan and I am NOT the billing contact and I have NEVER been notified about the bill being overdue.  It's bogus and those on here stating otherwise are liars and thieves.

Finally, a level-headed person who isn't being dragged about by conspiracy theories.

This is NOT A SCAM.  I understant and completely encourage healthy skepticism here.  But before you go all conspiracy theory on us, do so "actual research" with original sources.  It turns out from my own research from Verizon's official website (where I pay my bills online and review my payment history), that is is a REAL COURTESY TEXT from Verizon.  In a day and age of Idetity Theft running amok, it's always hard to believe it when a legitimate message gets through.  This means that you either didn't pay your bill on time, or their records show that you missed a payment (right or wrong is beside the point).  This is NOT a scam from somebody tring to steal the last 4 digits of your SSN.  A "real" scam artist wouldn't ask for the last 4 but rather for the whole darn thing.  The logical reason they only ask for your last 4 is because you already gave them your entire SSN when you bought your phone in the first place.  RELAX people.  This one's legit.

said it was from verizon and to call 1900-070-001869?? Too many digits  NFW