Verizon experienced a widespread service interruption last week, leaving millions of mobile users without connectivity and limited to emergency functions. Affected individuals noticed their devices displaying 'SOS' status, restricting calls to 911 only.
The network functionality returned later that evening, followed by an official expression of regret from Verizon the subsequent day, accompanied by a proposed $20 account credit. While the offer itself is genuine, fraudsters are exploiting the situation by promoting deceptive links promising reimbursements.
To avoid falling victim to such deceptions, access your account through official channels to evade phishing risks. A Verizon representative has verified key information regarding the compensation process, including alert distribution methods, claim procedures, and redemption locations.
The disruptions impacted various regions across the country, though not every Verizon subscriber was affected. Unaffected users will see no alerts in their profiles. For those eligible, the credit appears prominently in the mobile application and online portal, highlighted by a 'Take Action' prompt.
Encounter a notification regarding the $20 goodwill credit? Ensure it aligns with these verified elements for authenticity.
The simplest approach remains navigating straight to the official site or app, eliminating the need to follow external hyperlinks and thus preventing exposure to scams.
Should the $20 amount seem insufficient—particularly on shared plans where only the main account receives notice for a unified credit across lines—consider reaching out to support for further discussion. Reports from users, as noted by PCMag, reveal instances of successful advocacy, such as one independent contractor securing $200 to offset daily earnings loss.
Regarding the outage's cause, Verizon attributes it to a technical glitch in software, ruling out any security breach.
Alaina Yee, with 15 years in tech and gaming reporting, contributes diverse coverage to PCWorld. A team member since 2016, her articles span processors, operating systems, hardware assembly, browsers, single-board computers, and beyond, while also spotlighting deals. Her current emphasis lies in cybersecurity education for online safety. Previous publications include PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine.