Verizon baits switchers with $650 per line

This morning we received an ugly Christmas sweater in the mail from Verizon to announce $650 in contract-ending switch cash. Weird. "Everyone has that one gift they'd like to like to exchange for something better: maybe that not-so-cool holiday sweater... or the wrong network." Clever. So Verizon has this deal for people who use a different carrier for their smartphone and want to switch, giving them "up to" $650 USD per line in the process.

You'll need to accomplish three things to make this situation happen. The first: you'll need to port your phone number to Verizon from another carriers. Second: you'll need to purchase a 4G LTE smartphone with a brand new device payment activation. Third: you'll need to trade in your existing device from your previous provider.

Easy enough?

Once that's done, you'll "get up to $650 on a prepaid card for the installment plan balance less the device trade-in value." Verizon ads, "or up to a $350 prepaid card card for early termination fees less the device trade-in value."

The device you're trading in must be worth more than zero dollars to make this deal work. Once you've done the deed, you'll need to keep your new line active for "a minimum of 6 months."

This will work for up to four people on a family plan, so you could technically get up to $2600 USD. That is, IF your devices are worth the maximum amount of cash. So, likely something like four iPhones 6s Plus phones or four Samsung Galaxy Note 5 phones – you know, no big deal.

Once you've made the deal happen, you'll get your money about 6-8 weeks after the fact in a Visa gift card.