Cord cutting, or canceling cable TV in favor of streaming services, is at an all-time high. By the end of 2017, it's estimated that over 22 million people will have cut the cord and fired their cable or satellite provider. It's clear that a large segment of the U.S. population is happy with alternatives to cable TV for their entertainment.
CenturyLink provides internet, cable TV and home phone services to homes and businesses. Like all businesses, the company takes extra steps to try to avoid having customers cancel services, but it does provide a straightforward way to do it for anyone determined to cancel.
Reasons to Cancel Your Account
CenturyLink doesn't want to lose customers, so it has put multiple options in place to help solve problems that may cause customers to want to cancel services. If you have any of these issues, fixing the problem may be more satisfying than simply dropping your account:
- If your CenturyLink bill is too expensive, the company offers bundles in which each service has a discount. Combining your television bill with your internet bill could save you money on both. Some bundles offer locked-in prices guaranteed to not rise for months or even years.
- Are you moving temporarily, or find yourself in a temporary financial bind? CenturyLink offers customers the ability to temporarily suspend their account instead of completely canceling it. You'll pay a reduced rate for services you put on hold, and usually won't have to pay to have them reinstalled. If you decide to go this route, your DVR content will be saved, you'll keep your phone number and email address and you can keep the equipment in your home instead of having to return it.
- If you're moving permanently to a new home, transfer your account instead of canceling it and starting a new one. You won't have to make a new deposit, and all of your current account information, such as billing dates and account profile, will remain the same.
Final Cancellation
If you've decided that canceling your account is the right move, call 1-800-201-4099 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
If you're canceling cable television, you'll also need to contact DirectTV to cancel that service. Call the company at 1-800-531-5000 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
To cancel your Verizon wireless services, you must speak to a representative on the phone for security purposes. Call 1-800-922-0204 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, or on Saturday or Sunday at 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Depending on your contract, you may be subject to early termination fees or restocking fees on returned equipment.
If you had to make a deposit to open your CenturyLink account, the deposit amount plus any interest accrued will be applied toward your final bill. If there's a credit after this application, CenturyLink will send your a check for the remaining amount. If you still owe money on your account, it must be paid in full.
Tips
CenturyLink offers bundles of internet, cable TV and telephone services, as well as individual plans. Customers who want to cancel their account can call a direct line to do so. Those customers who have CenturyLink cable television through DIRECTV or wireless services through Verizon must contact them separately to cancel that part of the contract.
References
Writer Bio
Victoria Bailey has a degree in Public Law and Government. She has spoken before state Supreme Court justices and her photograph is on the back cover of Bill Clinton's autobiography. As a former member of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, Bailey worked closely with lawmakers to help set public policy. Bailey's work appears on numerous websites, and she's currently writing the text for a governmental information app.