Verizon imposes $350 cancellation fee on Marine’s widow after he’s killed in Afghanistan
In fairness, the company did back down, but only after the young widow went to the press. Corporations should be more responsive than this. (Courtesy of Walt, who knows a thing or two about PR, or is learning them).
Michaela Brummund is a young widow going through the most difficult time in her life, burying her husband Lance Corporal Gavin Brummund, a marine killed in action.
Michaela and her family say a cell phone company is making this time even more difficult.
“The remote detonated IED, one of those went off, and he took full force,” explained Michaela surrounded by pictures of her husband and flowers, still fresh, from his recent funeral. “He died on the chopper on the way to the field hospital.”
Michaela has decided to move back to Copperopolis in Calaveras County to be closer to family. But her Verizon cell phone does not have service in the small town. But the cell phone company is not showing any compassion for the war time widow.
“I called them to cancel. I told them the situation with my husband. I even said I would provide a death certificate,” Michaela said. Despite the circumstances, Verizon is imposing a $350 early termination fee.
Michaela’s father, a veteran himself, is outraged. “It’s not about the money. I don’t care about the money. It’s the principle. The man was overseas fighting for our country and lost his life doing so,” said Kevin Gause. “It’s heartless what Verizon is doing.”
CBS13 contacted the Verizon Public Relations Department for the family, and the company responded saying, ” Verizon Wireless has long supported our troops and worked with members of the armed services with flexibility. Once we understood this Marine’s widow’s circumstances, we quickly resolved the situation. We regret any undue frustration we may have caused the Brummunds. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Brummund and her family.”
