# A brief note to Verizon: suck it. Suck it hard. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 18, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276 "2006-05-18T16:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/21 "2006-05-18T17:45:19Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > True. But as noted, they don’t have names attached to them. For less used contacts, it will be hard to tell which was the prospective client and which was the hot chick from the bar whom I’m never going to call and whose number I never should have gotten (happens every time I go with tequila). Some phones also will store addresses and email info if you are arsed to input them (I am). Arsed is right. My phone even allows pictures and webpages to be attached to each contact. Which could be useful the next time you go with the tequila, I guess. You could at least determine if the hot chick was really hot, or looks more like Jose Cuervo. Ya know, just in case you got drunk again and thought calling might be a good idea. But who’s got time to maintain all that crap anyway. It’s just a damn telephone after all. ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/22 "2006-05-18T18:13:41Z")
WTF indeed. Let’s see, how’s this for an analogy: This rant would be like me complaining to Ford that they won’t replace the content of my car’s trunk after it has been stolen. Not only that, but they don’t even know what I had in there. Fuckers! Actually, to be more precise, I should be complaining to whoever fuels my car. Even this is misplaced: > [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > ( You are responsible for all calls until the phone company is notified. Loverly. As in how can you make a call to them if you don’t have your phone. ) Hmm, I don’t know, maybe, call them from a _different_ phone? Do you expect them to divine which calls are legit or not too? Otherwise they would be flooded by claims of stolen or lost phones to avoid paying bills. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/23 "2006-05-18T18:49:02Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > I didn’t think to check my past records for numbers. Only problem is I don’t know whom they belong too. Such fun I shall have. “Hi, who is this.” With a list, you can use Google™ to recover the names of 60% - 80% of them (fewer if most of them were cell phones). Just type the number into the Google™ search bar and it will come back with various pages from on-line look-up services and such that have the numbers. Enter them in the format 248-xxx-xxxx. ---
**Author:** ![sundog66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@sundog66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sundog66)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/24 "2006-05-18T19:51:20Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > If they thought twice about it, I think most people would be GLAD that their wireless provider didn’t steal such information from them. I agree. I would be somewhat shocked and disturbed if I discovered that Verizon DID transmit my personal information on my phone to their servers without warning me. It had never even occurred to me that they might do that. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoneyKingofNowhere)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/25 "2006-05-18T19:55:22Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > For a nominal fee, I can have this old phone be my new phone and I have that number. For this gift of a phone I am _extremely grateful_ and the bonus is now my husband and I have the exact same phone and don’t have to do swap out power cords out of our respective vehicles anymore, which is a total pain. Also, once logging into your online verizon account there is a link to program any phone. By simply removing the battery and typing in the codes on the back of the new phone and hitting the submit button, this new phone will work. I’ve done it a couple times with old phones after jumping into the pool with my main phone still in my shorts :smack: ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/26 "2006-05-18T19:58:48Z")
Numbers stored in phone memory on SIM card. Lose phone, lose contacts. Happens all the time. Backup numbers via bluetooth or SIM copy machine. Not Verizon’s fault. - end - ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/27 "2006-05-18T20:13:43Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Enter them in the format 248-xxx-xxxx. I did that for all my contacts and all I got was a bunch of people over in Michigan! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/28 "2006-05-18T20:47:21Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > With a list, you can use Google™ to recover the names of 60% - 80% of them (fewer if most of them were cell phones). > > Just type the number into the Google™ search bar and it will come back with various pages from on-line look-up services and such that have the numbers. > > Enter them in the format 248-xxx-xxxx. I’ll second this. When my phone was stolen, I got the incoming/outgoing calls from [T-Mobile.com](http://T-Mobile.com) and then Googled the numbers I didn’t know offhand. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/29 "2006-05-18T20:54:57Z")
I’ve lost my phone several times over the years. That’s why, as others have said, you write down contact information. If the number is of any importance at all (ie FIL as opposed to Papa John’s) it gets stored in the phone, in the computer, and in the wife’s address book. Stuff like this happens to me all the time…I’ve learned to be prepared. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/30 "2006-05-18T21:04:33Z")
See, I saw the thread title and figured it was about the NSA. Then I see it’s the OP wishing Verizon did what they are basically being sued for. So now I’m confused. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/31 "2006-05-18T21:20:19Z")
> [@Pedro](#): > > WTF indeed. Let’s see, how’s this for an analogy: This rant would be like me complaining to Ford that they won’t replace the content of my car’s trunk after it has been stolen. Not only that, but they don’t even know what I had in there. Fuckers! With the newest OnStar they can do all that and more. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2006, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/32 "2006-05-18T22:54:58Z")
Your call records from after the phone was stolen will show the numbers called after the phone was stolen. Why not call those numbers and see if the parents or kids will fess up to who called and you can probably trace back who has the phone… or at least who made the calls that night. Whoever stole it may have ditched the phone by now, but it seems like it is worth a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/33 "2006-05-19T01:28:04Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > I did that for all my contacts and all I got was a bunch of people over in Michigan! wankers! All of them! 🙂 It is my fault that I lost my phone. Being that I’ve never lost keys or glasses, credit cards, ID, purse, dog or child. I am one of those annoyingly responsible types. I’m a bit peeved with myself and decided to blame Verizon because I can’t kick the crap out of the kid who found and failed to turn in my cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/34 "2006-05-19T01:32:02Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > Your call records from after the phone was stolen will show the numbers called after the phone was stolen. Why not call those numbers and see if the parents or kids will fess up to who called and you can probably trace back who has the phone… or at least who made the calls that night. Whoever stole it may have ditched the phone by now, but it seems like it is worth a shot. I’ve thought about that. Not sure if I have the courage to confront a teenager over the phone without the temptation of screaming at them like the boat scene in Tommy Boy. > [@](#): > > Listen up, you little spazoids. I know where you live and I’ve seen where you sleep. I swear to everything holy that your mothers will cry when they see what I’ve done to you. A gal can dream. ---
**Author:** ![Ragiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6de8d8/32.png) [@Ragiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ragiel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/35 "2006-05-19T01:40:35Z")
I had a Nextel phone stolen a couple of years ago, put in a claim to the insurance company, and received a replacement, which came with all my stored numbers neatly transferred and ready to use. I guess I’ll have to go quietly when the security folks come to take me away. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/36 "2006-05-19T02:06:31Z")
> [@Ragiel](#): > > I had a Nextel phone stolen a couple of years ago, put in a claim to the insurance company, and received a replacement, which came with all my stored numbers neatly transferred and ready to use. Nah. They just found your old phone and gave it back to you. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/37 "2006-05-19T02:15:58Z")
It does suck about the phone’s loss. Might I suggest getting one of [these](http://www.galison.com/Desk-Address-Books-C66.aspx?UserID=983084&SessionID=7V%7B%7BHaRxqsuoniT8y%7BTm) to keep in your house as a backup? If those don’t suit you, [this](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486264599/sr=8-2/qid=1148004302/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-1758417-6690444?%5Fencoding=UTF8) or [this](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1551565188/sr=8-10/qid=1148004302/ref=pd_bbs_10/002-1758417-6690444?%5Fencoding=UTF8) might. [Here](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1551565234/sr=8-4/qid=1148004302/ref=pd_bbs_4/002-1758417-6690444?%5Fencoding=UTF8) is one that fits in your purse as well. Surely writing the information down takes about the same amount of time as typing it into your phone? ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/38 "2006-05-19T05:19:43Z")
I have a Samsung phone, and I downloaded this spiffy little program called EasyGPRS which allows me to backup my SIM card info onto my computer. The only problem is that my new laptop doesn’t have infrared and I don’t have a USB cable to fit my phone, so my ass is in the wind if my SIM card bites the bag or my phone gets lost. I need BlueTooth in my next phone, 'cuz I can get a USB BT adapter for the lappie for a very reasonable price. GSM phones are better than CDMA/TDMA just because of the SIM card–I dropped my old Verizon phone and the screen got messed up, and my contact information was lost, lost, lost… with my current phone it doesn’t matter if the phone itself gets fucked, as long as I have the SIM I’m good to go. But you know what? Fuck Verizon anyway, pack of wankers! Fuck them in every pain producing orifice they own, with a barbed wire wrapped dildo dragged backwards through an overbeshat cat box! Turd burglars… ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/39 "2006-05-19T13:32:01Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > I’ve thought about that. Not sure if I have the courage to confront a teenager over the phone without the temptation of screaming at them like the boat scene in Tommy Boy. > > A gal can dream. Send me the numbers. Sounds like a good way to vent some stress. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276/40 "2006-05-19T16:38:42Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Nah. They just found your old phone and gave it back to you. Found? More likely it was the insurance company who stole it in the first place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brief-note-to-verizon-suck-it-suck-it-hard/357276.md?page=3)