My wife went in to get a new phone & change providers. She was sold a minimal plan which didn't give her enough minutes. The female CSR, when asked specifically by my wife if she was signing up for a long-term contract, assured her it was a monthly contract and she could stop the service plan at any time she wished, without incurring any kind of penalty.
After getting a $40+ overage bill, she complained and was told she could go to another plan but it would be much more expensive. Shortly after this, she called to complain about the misrepresentations she had encountered to be told the CSR was no longer employed by Verizon.
After getting another overage bill, I suggested changing providers and asked if there was a contract involved and was told of the initial conversation with the Verizon sales person. I switched her phone to a flat rate, no contract provider.
Verizon just sent her a bill for an early "contract" cancellation. We suspect the fired employee is no longer there because of her lies to customers.