Cell and cable companies are notorious for screwing up the bill (whoops sorry). Autopay in any form, but especially linked directly to your bank account, is just asking to be robbed.
I'll never pay direct from my accounts because these companies will 'accidentally' drain an account and put people in an awful position, whereas a credit card company will happily tell a company like Verizon to eff off.
It's all good, these rent-seeking griftcos are making it easier and easier to fire them by the day.