how to get rid of verizon surcharges

So, after the 4.4.4 Verizon update, I'm getting constant messages in the status bar to update Verizon Visual VoiceMail. I go to app and clear Visual Voice Mail data and cache, and after a while, it reappears in the status bar again. Naturally, in Verizon's infinite wisdom, the app can't be turned off.
I use Google Voice, so I don't want, or need Verizon's Voice Mail. I am so sick of Verizon bloatware. Their apps suck, even their website is the slowest loading site I've ever visited. Verizon should just accept that their software sucks, and just stick to running their network.

Verizon tech support, as usual, was no help..the tech had no clue.

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You should be able to turn it off; I can't prove it as I did not allow the update to occur.
settings/apps/app mgr/ALL

I have found that a lot of stuff cannot be turned off unless you bring it up in the "ALL" category

For instance, VZWAVSService which is their antivirus app.
I wanted to turn it off, it took me 3 times to get it to actually do it.

Even though I clicked on "turn off" the first two times, it looked like it ignored me.
the 3rd time though, when I hit 'turn off', it came up with that message that turning it off might stop the phone from working.... yeah right.

it is now OFF
This happened to me also... Bring the dropdown screen down, click on the notification, you will have 2 options. Call VM or subscribe. Hit the subscribe button and on the following screen(I believe) there will be 2 options. The one you want is 'Cancel'. After you hit cancel, it will tell you that you have opted out of the Visual VM. Since, I have done this a couple hours ago, I haven't had any more notifications. Hope it works for you!
My S5 shows the same.
I just did a Check for Updates, a window opening "linking to server" and it went away.
Usually I would get a message that "your phone is up to date" or similar wording.

This VZW website is still showing 4.4.2 as the latest Verizon update.

Software Update: Galaxy S® 5 by Samsung | Verizon Wireless

The VZW support site though is not responding as of this time.
IMO that directly relates to the phone's Check Updates "looking for server" not displaying anything at all.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/devices/Samsung/7891.html

So, those of you who did get 4.4.4, I am wondering how that will be reversed?
Verizon starting pushing out 4.4.4 this week.
I had visual voice mail shut off before the update and it is still off after the update (shut off via the app manager along with the rest of the bloat).
Verizon charges for visual voice mail so if you are paying for it and don't use it you should cancel it or do you mean you don't subscribe to it but are still seeing all that? I am just downloading the update now so will see if the same happens to me on Verizon as I don't pay for visual voicemail. Mary
Ohh I see we get basic visual voicemail for free now. So glad about this as it was included free when I was on t-mobile and I got so used to it. Hopefully they will fix how to turn it off for you. Mary
No, I've never subscribed to it. The banner claims that it is now free, but who knows. I'm perfectly happy with Google Voice, so I'm not interested in any apps that Verizon forces on us.
Yes the basic visual is free now as I just activated it. Works the same as what t-mobile included when I had their prepaid so I will use that. Google voice doesn't display the message as a text and if so is it free? Mary
Mary, yes it is free as well. It also transcribes the message, which in and of itself is worth it, due to the transcriptions being hysterical...it never seems to get all of the words right. It also has the ability to email the transcription, which is handy if you are in a meeting, and don't have your phone..you can read the message on an ipad, laptop, etc.
Ok I have the trial of that on verizon and so far every message has been transcribed spot on but will check Google and see how theirs transcribes. Mary
Ok just installed google voice on the S5 and it says infortunately your network carrier is currently not supported, didn't go to the help center yet though but will this work for me? Mary
Mary, yes it will work. Ignore the message and Google "Google Voice setup for Verizon". There you will find the codes to have unanswered/declined calls go to your Google Voice telephone number, instead of Verizon's voicemail.
Ok I didn't get a voice number yet so will sign up and do that. Mary
As I remember, you have to place $1.00 deposit with Google to get the number. You can then also makes calls using your Google Voice number via WiFi. Handy if you are out of the Country and want to make a free call to the States.
Oh cool. I have wifi calling on my LG phone when I had T-Mobile and I go to Canada a lot so couldn't use my phone there but only needed it for emergencies but it never occurred to me about the wifi calling from there in case my car broke down. Now I can use my calling there at a cost extra from Verizon but if I am by wifi and need to call won't have to worry. Mary
My phone didn't prompt me to update Visual VM after the update because I had it previously disabled, and it stayed that way after the update. My wife's phone did prompt to sign up for Visual VM basic but eventually popped up an error and failed to register.
I read the fine print when retrying and found that Visual VM uses your data allowance while regular VM uses your voice minutes. And, I saw that even though I was connected to Wifi, it was pushing data over 4G instead of using the Wifi. So if you are on a limited-data/unlimited-voice plan, check that out carefully before signing up for Visual VM.

BTW, I only found the update because I was messing around with settings and hit the update item for the heck of it. VZW advertises the update as a fix to Bluetooth speakers cutting out, nothing about the fact that it was upgrading to 4.4.4.
Yes you have to turn the 4G on to hear your visual voice mail. I had it on t-mobile and it was the same there. For me I like it because of the speaker phone and I can hear the message better than dialing in and now with displaying it as text if I am some where I can't hear good to listen I can just read it. Mary
This notification shows up on my wife's gs5 at least once per day. I have done everything I can can think of, but the notification continues to appear. Has anyone had success removing this?
Strange I never got that message on Verizon. Maybe it's time to contact version about it as they might need to do something on their end to make it go away. I am using google voice now to test it out and getting my voice mails as text but I don't think it transcribes as good as Verizon's enhanced voice mail but we shall see as I have only gotten a few voice mails as I don't get many. Mary
Go to Verizon's website on your home computer, and look at your device's settings.
You can turn VM on or off on that page. Once you turn it off there, the prompts on your phone will go away.
She actually doesn't want anything other than plain old basic voicemail that's been around forever. This just started showing up after the update.I just went to Verizon's website and checked, the Visual Voice Mail is not selected. Basic Voicemail for $0.00 per month is selected.
I updated her Galaxy S5 several days after I updated my S5 and made sure there were no issues. Unfortunately, she is getting this message at least once per day. It shows in the top bar as a voicemail, when you pull down the notification bar, it says Verizon Visual Voice mail, you click on it, you can say "No thanks" or go through setting it up. I've done everything I can to get it to stop, no dice.

I've been on Android since 2009 and never had an issue I couldn't figure out. I'm puzzled by this one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I think it is time to get her carrier's tech support engineers on the phone and get it fixed.... be prepared to spend a while on the phone.
The script reader will not easily switch you over to an engineer... been there, done that one.