How To Get Out Of Your Cell Phone Contract For Free

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Cell phone contracts might seem iron-clad, but loopholes may let you get out of your plan without paying a dime.

To complete this How-To you will need:

The terms of your contract
The ability to "roam"
A new address
A customer service number
Someone who wants to take over your plan

Step 1: Cancel within 30 days

Cancel within 30 days. Many providers offer a penalty-free window for trying their service. If you've had your contract for under a month, you may be able to cut out without racking up early termination fees, or ETFs.

Step 2: Roam where you want to

Some providers pay roaming charges—additional fees to use your phone when you're out-of-network. If yours pays for roaming, use over half your minutes while your phone is out-of-network. Your carrier will rack up a huge bill. It may be more expensive for them to keep you as a customer than to ditch you. If so, they'll send you a termination letter.

Tip: See if you can set your phone preferences to only use "roaming," and make your out-of-network calls using free night and weekend minutes.

Step 3: Watch for service changes

Keep your eye out for a notice that your provider is going to make a significant service change. The fine print often states that you have a legal right to cancel your contract if you don't like the change.

Tip: This clause is called a "material adverse change" or "M.A.C.," and each provider defines its own differently.

Step 4: Register your dissatisfaction

If your phone has recurring, unfixable problems, keep thorough records of the issues, and register your dissatisfaction with customer service. If you keep your cool and call often enough, you may be able to get off the hook for free.

Tip: Always get a confirmation number for each interaction with a customer service representative.

Step 5: Transfer your plan

If you've got a friend who needs a phone, call your provider and ask for an Assumption of Liability transfer to allow you to transfer over your plan.

Tip: If you need help finding someone to take over your plan, search the key words "cell phone plan swap."

Step 6: Move

Move to a "blackout" area—a place your current provider doesn't cover—and your carrier may release you from your contract.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• agreement
• breaking
• cellphone
• cellular
• ending
• how
• howcast
• technology
• telecommunications
• to

[layton59]

Yeah, I'm going to move to a "Blackout" area just to save $150... not.

[devchonka18]

we had a two year contract with t-mobile all we did was call and say our phones have bad reception at home and they canceled

[akaboss69]

roam control app for android helps you to stay on roaming as long as u want. rack up on your roaming minutes and the'll terminate ur contract within a month hope that helps its better then moving i say lol. call up and tell them ur reception is horrible. tell them u dont have any internet connection at ur house or they will give u a device called airave on sprint.

[UniqueMonique513]

I tryin to get out of t-mobile.I got another 13 months til my contract is up but I tryin to get out of it..I hope i can get ma shit right

[chevy4454]

Well at least shes hott..

[canoemissouri]

I have moved and now I have no service.

Tough luck on T-Mobile I am still on the hook or pay

the termination fee! What a deal. If I downgrade my

service it extends my contract for 2 years.

They said they no longer honor the out of service because

of a move.

[NinjaNosePick]

that was funny but obvious HALLELUJAH!

[TheCottonTop]

Boost Moble or any of the other discount carriers. Unless you are a smart phone fag. Then your just fucked, which is the way fags like it if I'm not mistaken.

[Chosenby1]

you can transfer your contract into someone elses name. I paid a random stranger $100 (craigslist add) to take over my AT&T contract. Saved me from the $275 termination fee

[Chosenby1]

@guboy1 lol, your credit will get hit eventually. Bad idea if you care about your credit. If not, great idea!

[PatrioticInsurgent]

@Security98 BUT, make sure you have another phone videotaping it when you do, so you can put it on YouTube and share it with the rest of us!  hahaha

[PatrioticInsurgent]

BETTER YET, cancel your auto-payment subscription, then cancel their service, and when they bring up their inflated 'early cancelation' fee, tell them where they can stick it.

Then when they send a third party debt collector calling, have fun with them, till they violate FDCPA and FCC laws, and take them to small claims court. They usually can't afford to appear, so you win $1000 by default, cleared yourself from the contract, and feel good because you STUCK IT TO THEM.