u/supes1

Just received a text from AT&T informing that prepaid plans will be subject to this fee of $2.63 starting June 22nd. I reached out since I'm on an annual plan, and it was unclear how this would be applied.

Apparently it's applied per service payment, so if you pay once annually you will only pay the fee that one time, but for a monthly plan you pay it every month.

Note that this surcharge is not a government tax, but an entirely discretionary AT&T imposed-fee (so it's really a surreptitious way for AT&T to increase the price without saying they increased the price).

*Edit: Info also at https://www.att.com/legal/terms.otherWirelessFeeSchedule.html

> AT&T Administrative & Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee (Beginning 06/22/2026)

> $2.63 per service payment (excluding payments in non-AT&T branded national retail locations)

> This fee is not a tax or charge which the government requires AT&T collect from its customers and may include aggregate costs incurred in prior years that are not yet fully recovered.

If you're worried about being scammed, visit the good folks at r/scams to post your story! Always better to verify first, because once a payment is sent, it is generally impossible to reverse.

A few common scams:

• Unsolicited payment scam - If you receive an unsolicited payment from a stranger, and they contact you requesting it back, it's a scam. Do not send the money back, do not touch it at all. Contact your bank and let them handle it. Ignore any demands and threats.
• Fake payment scam - If you're selling something online, scammers may send screenshots of fake emails/apps to make it appear like they sent a payment. This can be done virtually or in-person. Always check things on your own end by logging in directly in your bank or Zelle app to see the payment.
• Fake alert scam - You get a text or call from someone claiming to be from Zelle (maybe even spoofing their caller ID), claiming there is fraudulent activity on your account. They instruct you to send money to a "secure, temporary account." You are actually sending the money directly to the scammer's account. Zelle will never ask you to transfer funds or ask for personal security codes.
• Impersonation scam - Scammers may pose as friends or family. They often claim there’s an urgent need and request money. Always verify the recipient’s identity and the legitimacy of any urgent requests before sending funds.
• Prize scam - Scammers may claim you’ve won a lottery or prize (or sometimes an inheritance), and need to pay fees or taxes via Zelle to claim your winnings. These are all scams.
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This is not a comprehensive list, and there are new scams popping up all the time. While Zelle itself is a secure platform, risks primarily come from social engineering tactics used by scammers to manipulate users. Stay informed and verify all payments and requests before transferring money to help keep yourself safe.