How many days can you go without paying AT&T bill?
It is recommended that phone and internet bills be paid on time to enhance your credit status and avoid any penalties such as late charges or suspension of services. However, life being what it is, you may be faced with circumstances that make it impossible to pay for the AT&T bill for some time. Well then, how many days or months of being inactive before having the service terminated by AT&T? Here are the consequences if you fail to pay your ATT bill.
Grace Period
AT&T has a lenient policy that allows you to pay your bill even one month later without having to worry about penalties. This is usually for approximately 10 days after the due date before additional charges begin to apply.
Therefore, if you were just a day late and you are in a position to pay your bill within approximately 10 days, most probably you will not incur any penalties or problems (other than starting the streak of timely payment over again). What this means is that you should endeavor to make a payment within this grace period window.
Late Fees
If you fail to pay the AT&T bill before the due date, then subsequent bills will attract late payment charges. The late fee is usually $5 per month for the first two months.
In addition to the above penalties, if your bill remains unpaid for the third consecutive month, the late fee rises to $10 per month. Also, an outstanding balance fee is added on top of whatever amount you owe to the credit card company. Paying bills to AT&T can also attract various fees, so letting your bill remain unpaid for a long should be avoided.
Account Suspension
It is around Day 30-45 of nonpayment that a company like AT&T Internet may decide to deactivate your service due to an unpaid balance. This implies that some of the services such as mobile data or home internet may be terminated until some payment is made.
Nonetheless, generally, AT&T has the policy of enabling 911 and their support lines during such account suspension. So you can remain in a state of very limited usage if you are suspended. However, most normal services cease until the company pays the amount(s) that are in arrears to AT&T.
Final Disconnection
If an AT&T account remains disconnected without remittance for a long time, AT&T will terminate the account completely around Day 60-90 without remittance. Disconnection implies that all services are terminated – no further calls are allowed in or out, no data connection anymore, nothing until the line is reconnected.
Reactivation entails clearing the amount that was due in the past before internet service is restored. Additional charges of $25 -$50 for reactivation may also be charged in case a disconnected line is to be put back into use. So do not let your account progress to permanent disconnection because of months of accumulated unpaid bills.
Protecting Your Credit Score
However, not paying your AT&T bill can also have other consequences such as loss of Credit Score if the unpaid balance is taken to collections. Delinquencies in the payment reflect on the credit history for up to seven years.
The credit score decreases over time if one has too many late payments or unpaid collections accounts. Having a bad credit score is an inconvenience when applying for loans, mortgages, credit cards, and many other services.
What If You Are in a Position of Not Being Able to Pay?
If you are sure that there are chances that you will not be able to pay AT&T’s next bill, do not simply turn a blind eye to it. You have to call AT&T as soon as possible and tell them the whole story. There are a few options that may help avoid suspension or disconnection: There are a few options that may help avoid suspension or disconnection:
- Payment Arrangements: AT&T may allow you to create a payment plan through which you can gradually pay for the balance if you are unable to make full payment immediately. It can assist in keeping service active while gradually repaying the amount due.
- AT&T Assistance Program: Provides service rate concessions to qualified low-income homes. Such a purchase will require the holder to present proof of enrollment to a government assistance program.
- AT&T Prepaid Plans: No credit checks, which may be beneficial if having issues with credits. The rates/data amounts can also be less than the postpaid plans.
- Account Credits: These include the ATT recycling credits where customers can get bill credits by recycling old phones or ATT trade-in that allows clients to trade their devices for new phones. Small credits add up.
- Account Pause: Suspend one or all lines for as long as 3 months at a time over 12 months at most. Suspends monthly service if away or struggling financially.
Consider all available resources for getting help if you are struggling to pay your AT&T bill on time. So, the students should seek assistance earlier to prevent suspension as much as possible. If money is a problem, stay connected with AT&T and avail any help offered through the programs if needed.
Conclusion
While one or two missed payments may mean that you pay a small fee, not paying the AT&T bill on time means you may pay more, receive limited service, and get a poor credit score. Do not cut off communication with AT&T and, if necessary, inquire about support to maintain phone and Internet service active and paid. Paying your phone bills in time and avoiding any additional problems with your telecom provider is crucial for your credit score and, therefore, for your financial health.
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