Why Is My Total By Verizon So Overcharged Should I Switch - Complete Guide
Getting hit with unexpected charges on your Total by Verizon bill? You're not alone. Many customers report mysterious fees, sudden price jumps, and confusing billing that makes their "unlimited" plan cost $60-80+ per month. The good news: you can get the same Verizon network coverage for $25/month w
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Our Pick | Visible |
| Best For | Verizon users |
| Price | $25/month |
| Network | Verizon |
| Our Score | 10/11 |
Getting hit with unexpected charges on your Total by Verizon bill? You're not alone. Many customers report mysterious fees, sudden price jumps, and confusing billing that makes their "unlimited" plan cost $60-80+ per month. The good news: you can get the same Verizon network coverage for $25/month with zero surprises.
Bottom Line: Total by Verizon often adds hidden fees and taxes that can double your monthly cost. Visible uses the same Verizon network for $25/month with taxes included and no surprise charges. Most users save $30-50 monthly by switching.
Pros of Switching from Total
- Save $30-50+ per month on bills
- Same Verizon network coverage
- No hidden fees or surprise charges
- Taxes and fees included in price
- No annual contracts to break
Cons to Consider
- May lose some premium features
- Need to port your number
- Potential short service interruption
- Learning new carrier app/system
- No physical store locations
Why Total by Verizon Bills Are So High
Total by Verizon markets itself as an affordable wireless option, but customers consistently report bills that spiral out of control. Here's what's really happening behind those inflated charges.
Hidden Fees and Taxes
Unlike prepaid carriers that include taxes in their advertised price, Total by Verizon adds multiple line items that can increase your bill by 20-40%. These include regulatory fees, administrative charges, state taxes, local taxes, and 911 fees. What starts as a $50 plan often becomes $70+ after these additions.
The company also charges activation fees, upgrade fees, and various administrative costs that aren't clearly disclosed upfront. Many customers discover these charges only after their first bill arrives, creating frustration and bill shock.
Promotional Pricing Traps
Total by Verizon heavily promotes introductory pricing that expires after 12-24 months. Your $40 promotional rate might jump to $65 without warning, buried in fine print you agreed to months earlier. They bank on customer inertia – most people won't immediately switch when prices increase.
Device Payment Plans
The carrier pushes expensive device payment plans that can add $30-50 monthly to your bill. While technically separate from your service plan, these payments are bundled together, making your total monthly cost much higher than expected.
How Much You Could Save by Switching
Let's compare real costs between Total by Verizon and top alternatives. These numbers reflect what customers actually pay, including all fees and taxes.
| Carrier | Advertised Price | Actual Monthly Cost | Network | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total by Verizon | $50/mo | $70-80/mo | Verizon | Not ranked |
| Visible | $25/mo | $25/mo | Verizon | 10/11 |
| US Mobile | $25/mo | $25/mo | Verizon | 9.5/11 |
| Tello | $25/mo | $25/mo | T-Mobile | 9.5/11 |
Best Alternatives to Total by Verizon
Our Top Pick: Visible (10/11)
Visible is owned by Verizon and runs on the same network as Total by Verizon, but costs just $25/month with everything included. There are no hidden fees, no taxes added, and no surprise charges. You get unlimited talk, text, and data with mobile hotspot included.
The carrier has an excellent track record with no major data breaches, strong customer service, and reliable network performance. Since it's a Verizon subsidiary, you're getting premium network access at budget pricing.
Visible works entirely through their app – no physical stores or phone support. This keeps costs low but means you'll handle account management digitally. For most users, this trade-off saves hundreds annually.
Runner-Up: US Mobile (9.5/11)
US Mobile offers flexible "build-a-plan" options on Verizon's network starting at $15/month for basic plans. Their unlimited option costs $25/month, matching Visible's pricing. The carrier provides more customization options and slightly better customer support.
US Mobile also has no history of data breaches and includes premium features like international calling options. They offer both eSIM and physical SIM cards, making switching easier for different phone types.
Budget Option: Tello (9.5/11)
If you don't need Verizon's network, Tello uses T-Mobile towers and starts at just $8/month for light users. Their unlimited plan costs $25/month and includes unlimited mobile hotspot – something Total by Verizon charges extra for.
Tello has exceptional customer service, no contracts, and completely transparent pricing. They're ideal for users in strong T-Mobile coverage areas who want maximum value.
Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including security features (2FA, SIM PIN protection), data breach history, and real user experience. Our rankings are based on verifiable facts, not paid placements.
Red Flags That Indicate Overcharging
Sudden Bill Increases
If your Total by Verizon bill jumped $10-20 without explanation, you're likely experiencing promotional pricing expiration or new fee additions. These increases rarely come with advance notice, leaving customers scrambling to understand the changes.
Fees That Exceed Service Cost
When taxes, fees, and surcharges represent more than 15% of your total bill, you're being overcharged. Legitimate carriers include these costs in their advertised pricing or keep additional fees minimal.
Confusing Bill Itemization
Total by Verizon bills often list 8-12 separate line items for what should be simple unlimited service. This complexity obscures actual costs and makes price comparisons difficult. Transparent carriers show clear, simple billing.
Pressure to Add Services
If customer service representatives consistently push add-ons like insurance, premium support, or entertainment packages, the base service likely isn't profitable at advertised rates. These upsells subsidize the core offering.
How to Switch Without Losing Your Number
Switching from Total by Verizon while keeping your phone number is straightforward with proper preparation.
Before You Switch
First, ensure your current phone is unlocked and compatible with your new carrier. Most recent smartphones work across all networks, but verify compatibility on your new carrier's website.
Gather your Total by Verizon account information, including account number and PIN. You'll need this for number porting. Don't cancel your current service until the port is complete – this could result in losing your number.
The Switching Process
Order a SIM card or set up eSIM with your new carrier. When activating service, request number porting and provide your Total by Verizon account details. The new carrier handles the transfer process automatically.
Porting typically takes 2-4 hours for most numbers, though complex cases might take 24 hours. Your Total by Verizon service automatically cancels when the port completes, so you won't need to call them separately.
After Switching
Monitor your final Total by Verizon bill to ensure no surprise charges appear. Keep documentation of your switch date in case billing disputes arise. Most carriers provide porting confirmation emails for your records.
What You'll Lose vs. Gain
Features You Might Miss
Total by Verizon includes some premium features that budget carriers don't match. These include extensive international roaming, premium customer support with phone access, and integration with other Verizon services.
You'll also lose access to Verizon retail stores for in-person support. Some users value face-to-face assistance for device setup or troubleshooting, though most issues resolve through online chat or apps.
What You'll Gain
The most obvious benefit is dramatic cost savings – typically $30-50 monthly. You'll also gain billing transparency, with no surprise fees or promotional pricing traps. Your monthly cost stays consistent and predictable.
Many alternative carriers offer better value features like unlimited hotspot data, international calling options, or multi-network access. These additions often exceed what Total by Verizon provides at much higher prices.
When NOT to Switch
Heavy International Users
If you frequently travel internationally or need extensive international calling, Total by Verizon's premium international features might justify the higher cost. Budget carriers typically offer limited international options.
Business Critical Users
Users who need guaranteed priority network access during emergencies or natural disasters might benefit from staying with Verizon's premium tiers. While unlikely to matter for most users, some situations require top-tier network priority.
Store-Dependent Customers
If you strongly prefer in-person customer service and device support, Total by Verizon's retail presence provides value that app-based carriers can't match. This convenience premium might justify higher costs for some users.
Best Phone to Pair With This Plan
If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with Visible or other alternatives, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:
- Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
- Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
- 7 years of software updates
- Excellent camera and battery life
- Around $499 unlocked
The Bottom Line
Total by Verizon's billing practices often result in costs 40-60% higher than advertised, making it one of the most expensive ways to access Verizon's network. Visible provides identical network access for $25/month with zero hidden fees, while US Mobile offers similar value with more plan flexibility.
For most users, switching saves $400-600 annually with no meaningful service degradation. The process takes just a few hours and preserves your current phone number. Unless you specifically need premium international features or in-store support, staying with Total by Verizon means overpaying for basic wireless service.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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