Where and how to pay Cricket
You can pay your Cricket bill online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Cricket store. The fastest route is the Cricket website or mobile app — you log in, go to your account, and pay immediately with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Payment shows up the same day.
If you prefer to call, dial the number on your bill and have your account number and payment method ready. A representative will process the payment over the phone. By mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on your bill — allow 7 to 10 business days for it to reach Cricket and post to your account. In-store payments at a Cricket retail location are also same-day.
Cricket does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. If you use a third-party bill payment service through your bank, check with your bank whether they charge a fee on their end — Cricket itself does not.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post the same day and require only your login, account number, and a debit or credit card.
- Phone payments take a few minutes and work with the same payment methods as online, but you must call the number on your bill.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post, so send them early if your due date is approaching.
- Cricket charges no fee for any payment method, but your bank may charge a fee if you pay through their bill payment service.
- Set up automatic payments through your Cricket account to avoid missing a due date.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments let Cricket charge your account on your due date each month without you having to log in or call. Log into your Cricket account online or in the app, go to Billing or Account Settings, and select Auto Pay. You will choose a payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account) and confirm the amount.
Once auto pay is on, Cricket will charge you on your due date every month. You can change or cancel auto pay anytime through your account — there is no penalty for turning it off. If you want to change the payment method or amount, you can do that in the same place.
Auto pay is useful if you want to avoid late fees and service interruptions. If your balance changes month to month (for example, if you add a line or change your plan mid-cycle), the auto pay amount will adjust to match your new bill.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your bill is not paid by the due date, Cricket will charge a late fee. The amount varies depending on your plan and state, but late fees typically range from $5 to $15. Your account will show the late fee on your next bill.
If you do not pay within a few days of the due date, Cricket may send you a reminder notice by email, text, or mail. If payment is still not made after 15 to 30 days past due, Cricket may suspend your service — you will not be able to make calls, send texts, or use data until you pay the full amount owed, including the late fee.
If your account stays unpaid for 60 to 90 days, Cricket may close your account and report the debt to a collection agency. This can affect your credit score. If you know you will be late, contact Cricket as soon as possible to discuss a payment plan or other options.
Understanding your bill due date and billing cycle
Your due date is printed on your bill and is usually 21 to 25 days after your billing cycle ends. Your billing cycle is the period during which Cricket measures your usage — it typically runs for 30 days and starts on the same day each month. For example, if your cycle runs from the 5th to the 4th of the next month, your bill will be due around the 25th to 29th.
You can see your exact due date and billing cycle dates by logging into your account or calling the number on your bill. If you want to change your due date to match when you get paid, contact Cricket — they can move it by a few days in most cases, though the change may take a billing cycle to take effect.
Your bill includes charges for your plan, any add-ons or features you used that month, taxes, and any fees from the previous month. If you added a line or changed your plan mid-cycle, you may see a prorated charge for the partial month.
Paying a past-due balance
If your account is past due, you can pay the full amount owed through any of the payment methods listed above — online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Pay the total shown as "Amount Due" on your most recent bill, which includes your current bill plus any previous unpaid balances and late fees.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact Cricket to ask about a payment arrangement. Cricket may allow you to split the payment over two or three installments, though this is not may provide and depends on how far past due you are. The sooner you contact them, the more options you may have.
Once you pay a past-due balance in full, your service will be restored immediately if it was suspended. If you paid by mail, allow a few business days for the payment to post before your service is turned back on.
Using a third-party payment service
Some people pay their Cricket bill through their bank's bill payment service or a third-party payment app. These services send a check or electronic payment to Cricket on your behalf. The payment will take longer to post — usually 5 to 10 business days — because it goes through the mail or a processing center instead of directly to Cricket's system.
If you use a third-party service, make sure you send the payment early enough that it arrives before your due date. Your bank or payment app may charge you a fee for this service, even though Cricket does not. Check your bank's fee schedule before you set it up.
The safest approach is to pay directly through Cricket's website, app, or phone line. That way you know the payment posts immediately and you avoid any fees from a middleman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Cricket bill with a prepaid card?
Yes, you can use a prepaid debit card to pay online, by phone, or in person. The card must have a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. Make sure the card has enough balance to cover your bill before you attempt payment.
What if I pay online but my payment does not go through?
Check that you entered your card number, expiration date, and CVV correctly. If the payment was declined, your card may have expired, insufficient funds, or a fraud block. Try a different payment method or contact your bank to ask why the charge was declined. Then try paying again through Cricket.
Do I have to pay the full bill, or can I pay part of it?
Cricket requires you to pay the full amount due by the due date to avoid late fees and service suspension. Partial payments do not stop late fees from being charged. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact Cricket to discuss a payment plan before your due date passes.
How do I know if my payment went through?
If you paid online or by phone, you will see a confirmation number on your screen or hear it read to you. Log into your account a few hours later to confirm the payment appears in your transaction history. If you paid by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days and then check your account online.
Can I change my payment method after I set up auto pay?
Yes. Log into your account, go to Auto Pay settings, and update your payment method. The change takes effect on your next scheduled payment. You can also turn off auto pay entirely and switch to manual payments anytime.