@dimplerose , you can also lodge a complaint with the BBB saying that they told you to recycle the equipment and then later asked you to return it.  That will get you a call from an AT&T Support Escalation group.

Even though I received an email telling me to recycle my receiver, when the new one arrived it had a return address label inside.  I took the safe route and returned it.

Mixforum66, disregard part of what MCJeffer said below. I got mixed email messages too. I got one with instructions to return my equipment through either UPS or FedEX then the next day got the same email you're referring to, about recycling it. Now McJeffers is correct about their plan to steer everyone away from Uverse to this DirectTV Stream thing. It's cloud based so I guess you should no longer be "losing any recorded programs." I have a bad feeling about the service though.

@Redraider1990 

Well what @JefferMC said above (not below, as each reply is posted below the most recent one) was rather accurate. What exactly do you feel needs to be "disregarded" and why?

Though either way, one would assume the OP has already resolved this as was months ago.

I was referring to the recycle letter.  He told the other guy he was only the second subscriber mentioning that and I got one, and I'm sure it's pretty widespread! I didn't find fault with other items he mentioned.

At the time of the post, that was the 2nd one he had heard of. Wouldn't be surprised if there were more instances in months since then or ones around that time he had not heard of. But hopefully they retuned the equipment or at least held onto long enough before recycling to verify they didn't get charged a non-return fee (NRF).

I cancelled my AT&T U-Verse yesterday due to a $60+ jump in rate, but am keeping my wifi. The rep told me to return my equipment through either UPS or FedEX along with my name and account number, keeping a copy of the paperwork. Then today I got the email [below] about recycling the equipment. Since I'm keeping the Wi-Fi, I'm just not sure which equipment to keep. Attached are the two boxes, plus I have two set top boxes and two remotes. Of the two boxes in the picture, which one goes back and which one do I keep for the wi-fi?

Account #: _______

Don't worry about returning your U-verse equipment. Recycle it!

Hi XXXXXXXX, We've received your request and for your convenience, there is no need for you to return your equipment. Hoping to welcome you back soon. AT&T

@btc1951 Ignore the recycling e-mail.  You'll keep the box on the left (the 5268AC) connected and working for your Internet service.

The box on the right is a dedicated Wireless Access Point for your U-verse TV Wireless receivers; you no longer need it.  You may attempt to return that; the return center may not wish to accept it.

You should also return all of your U-verse TV Receivers and the U-verse TV DVR as well as their power adapters.  You can see if they'll accept the remotes.

Take all of the gear you need to return to the nearest The UPS Store / FedEx Office locations (specifically one of these store fronts, not a shipping depot, not  a drop location in an unrelated store) with your account number.  They will check it against your account number,  accept it and give you  a receipt.  Please hang on to that receipt.

I also suggest taking pictures of all serial numbers time stamped at the ups/fedex store so you have proof you mailed it back. The recycling emails are a scam you will be charged if you don't return equipment.    You should return the dvr and set top boxes plus the wap jeffermc mentioned that you have in picture.  Make sure not to u plug your gateway the big box as that is what provides your internet/wifi.

Also just to clarifying you are getting rid of uverse tv, but keeping internet/wifi?

The receipt you get back from The UPS Store / FedEx Office will list the serial numbers they accepted.  Don't leave without a receipt with the serial numbers.

My mother threw hers away after getting the letter.   They know about.  I had to call a couple times and be very persistent and they eventually gave her credit for all of the equipment.   

Yes, we are keeping wi-fi, but not the u-verse tv. We are going to try streaming for a while. I have a variety of streaming services -- hulu, paramount+, apple tv+, netflix, etc., so I can't imagine we'll miss u-verse. I still can't believe they jacked our bill up over $60 and wouldn't cut us a better deal. As it was we had the U-200 plan and barely used any of the channels. They were offering to bump us down to U-Family and charge us more than we've been paying and we were going to lose a couple of the channels we watch (NatGeo being one of them). I said, you know where you can shove your U-Verse!

That works. Just remember depending on which internet plan you are on you might get charged $30 per month if you want to keep unlimited internet data cap that is included with uverse tv. Also since uverse tv is no longer offered to customers you cannot reactivate it later once you drop it.

The overage fees are definitely something to consider, but if you have AT&T Fiber, DirecTV Stream, U-Verse or maybe DirecTV, you don't have to worry about data caps.