Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) will redirect all non-911 calls made on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to customer service. This is in an attempt to force its customers who have still not heeded the carrier’s call to return the devices that have been deemed a hazard. Currently, it is estimated that the number of holdouts is in the thousands.
The move to route calls to customer service comes after the wireless carrier had earlier issued a software update meant to prevent the Note 7 from charging. However, some customers seem to have somehow managed to evade the software upgrade and are still using the dangerous device.
“In spite of our best efforts, there are still customers using the recalled phones who have not returned or exchanged their Note 7 to the point of purchase,” said a Verizon spokesperson in an interview with Fortune.
Hit to the wallet
Besides making it impossible for the holdouts to call any number except 911, Verizon has also threatened that Note 7 holdouts might also get billed for its full retail cost. Those who have already returned the device have been reimbursed in full.
In connection with the latest development, some users have reported receiving text messages informing them that their device will cease functioning at the end of this month. It would be too quick to accuse all holdouts of stubbornness however as some of them have valid reasons for not heeding the recall notice. Some have for instance complained that Verizon requires the phones to be returned in the boxes they came in.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recalls begun almost four months ago following reports that the phone was causing fires. The majority of buyers have since returned their Note 7 devices with Samsung saying that 93 percent of the buyers in the U.S. had heeded the recall notice. Samsung is expected to give a report on January 23 regarding an investigation of South Korean company carried out to determine what was causing the Note 7 to explode or catch fire.
In Tuesday’s trading Verizon Communications Inc rose by 0.38% to close the day at $52.74.
