How to cancel Verizon by phone or online

Verizon requires you to call to cancel wireless service, but you can cancel home internet or TV online through your account portal. For wireless, call 1-908-559-4899 and have your account number ready — it appears on your bill or in the My Verizon app. The representative will confirm your account, ask why you're leaving, and process the cancellation. The call typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you cancel before your contract ends, you may owe an early termination fee.

To cancel online, log into your Verizon account at verizon.com, go to Account Settings, and look for a "Cancel Service" or "Manage Services" option. This route works for Fios internet and TV but not for wireless lines. You'll be asked to confirm your decision and may see retention offers before the cancellation processes. Online cancellation can take one to two business days to complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Wireless cancellation requires a phone call to 1-908-559-4899; have your account number from your bill or the My Verizon app ready.
  • Fios internet and TV can be canceled online through your Verizon account portal under Account Settings.
  • Early termination fees apply if you cancel a wireless contract before it ends; the amount depends on your plan and how much time remains.
  • Your final bill will include prorated charges for the days you used service in the cancellation month, plus any equipment return fees if you don't return devices.
  • Request a final bill in writing or through your account to have a record of what you were charged and when service ended.

What happens to your account after cancellation

After you cancel, Verizon sends a final bill within one to two billing cycles. This bill includes charges for service through your cancellation date, prorated if you cancel mid-month. If you rented equipment — a modem, router, or TV box — you must return it within 30 days to avoid a non-return fee, typically $100 to $150 per device. Verizon usually provides a prepaid shipping label or tells you where to drop off equipment in person.

Your phone number is released after 30 days if it's wireless, which means another carrier can assign it to a new customer. If you want to keep your number, you must port it to a new carrier before the cancellation completes. Request a port authorization code (PAC) from Verizon before you cancel — the new carrier will use this to transfer your number. Once your service ends, you have a limited window to complete the port, so contact your new carrier immediately after cancellation.

Early termination fees and contract obligations

Verizon wireless contracts typically run 24 months. If you cancel before the contract ends, you owe an early termination fee. The amount varies: as of recent years, it has ranged from $100 to $350 depending on the device and plan, but Verizon changes these amounts periodically. Check your contract documents or call 1-908-559-4899 to ask what fee applies to your specific line before you cancel.

Some situations waive or reduce the fee. If Verizon breached the contract — for example, by changing your plan without consent or failing to provide service — you may have grounds to dispute the fee. If you're switching to another carrier due to a military deployment, some carriers and Verizon offer military hardship exceptions. Ask the cancellation representative whether any exception applies to you.

Porting your phone number to another carrier

To keep your phone number when you leave Verizon, you must port it to your new carrier. Request a Port Authorization Code (PAC) from Verizon by calling 1-908-559-4899 or texting PAC to 611611 from your Verizon phone. Verizon will text or email the code within minutes. The code is valid for 30 days.

Give the PAC to your new carrier — they will initiate the port during the sign-up process. The port usually completes within one to three business days, and your old Verizon service will end automatically once the port finishes. Do not cancel your Verizon account until the port is complete, or you risk losing the number. If you cancel first and then try to port, Verizon may not be able to recover the number.

Returning equipment and avoiding extra charges

Verizon equipment must be returned within 30 days of cancellation. This includes modems, routers, TV boxes, and remote controls. Verizon typically sends a prepaid shipping label by mail or email; use it to return equipment via UPS or USPS. Some Verizon stores also accept returns in person — call your local store to confirm before you go.

Keep proof of return. Take a photo of the shipping label or receipt if you return equipment in person. If Verizon charges you a non-return fee and you have proof you returned the item, you can dispute the charge by calling 1-908-559-4899 or through your online account. Non-return fees typically range from $100 to $150 per device and appear on your final bill.

Canceling Verizon without a contract or month-to-month plans

If you're on a month-to-month plan with no contract, you can cancel anytime without an early termination fee. Month-to-month plans are common for prepaid wireless, some postpaid plans, and Fios customers who did not sign a contract. Check your bill or account to confirm whether you have a contract. If it says "no contract" or "month-to-month," you can cancel by calling or going online without owing a termination fee.

Even without a contract, your final bill will include prorated charges and any equipment non-return fees. The cancellation process is the same: call 1-908-559-4899 for wireless or cancel online for Fios. Request your final bill in writing so you have a record of what you were charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I owe money if I cancel in the middle of a billing cycle?

Yes. Your final bill will include a prorated charge for the days you used service in the month you canceled. For example, if you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day month and your monthly bill is $60, you'll owe about $30 for the 15 days of service. You'll also owe any early termination fee if you're under contract.

What if I don't return my equipment?

Verizon charges a non-return fee for each unreturned device, typically $100 to $150. This fee appears on your final bill. If you return the equipment late but within a reasonable time, contact Verizon to ask them to waive the fee. Keep proof of return — a shipping receipt or photo of the label — to dispute the charge if it appears incorrectly.

Can I cancel one line but keep another on my Verizon account?

Yes. Call 1-908-559-4899 and tell the representative you want to cancel only one line. They will process the cancellation for that line while keeping your other lines active. You'll receive a new bill reflecting only the remaining lines. Early termination fees apply only to the canceled line if it's under contract.

How long does it take for my Verizon service to actually stop after I cancel?

Wireless service typically stops within 24 hours of cancellation. Fios internet and TV may take one to two business days. If you've ported your phone number to another carrier, your old Verizon service ends when the port completes, usually within one to three business days. You'll receive a confirmation email or text when the cancellation is final.

What if Verizon won't cancel my account?

Verizon is required to cancel your service if you request it. If a representative refuses or says you must wait, ask to speak to a supervisor. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/complaints if Verizon continues to refuse. Document the date, time, and name of the representative you spoke with.