In September 1999 I purchased a one year contract from a company called Liberty Cellular. The contract was with VoiceStream Wireless. I maintained my contract for over a year. However when my contract expired, VoiceStream began charging me much higher rates and no longer gave me free use minutes each month.
Each month when I received my bill, I would call them and tell them they were charging me more than they agreed to charge for the use. There reply was if I would agree to extending my contract with them they would reduce the bill and give me 1000 free minutes. I would tell them that I was currently working and living in Seattle, but within the next few months I would be moving back to my home in Spokane and if the service would work at my lake home located 40 miles north of Spokane, I would renew my contract with them if they would reduce this months overcharges. This went on for about three months, each month they would agree to reduce my charges and I would pay the amount we both agreed on. The bill I would receive the next month always showed a zero balance.
When I came back to Spokane I checked the service and it did not work 40 miles north of Spokane.
December billing also had a previous balance of $161.76 and a total balance due of $410.94
I paid that total balance and cancelled my service with them in January. I turned the phone off and never used it again when I paid the final bill.
Since I paid Decembers billing and cancelled in January, I expected to receive a final bill.
Each month when I did not receive a bill from VoiceStream I would call them and ask them for a final bill. I never got one.
In May I received a notice from a collection company called Valentine and Kebartas, Inc. Of Lawrence MA. For over $1100.00 in charges. Upon receipt of this notice, I called customer service at VoiceStream and talked to Evelyn. Evelyn told me to disregard the collection notice. She promised to send me an itemized bill within 10 to 14 days. When the itemized bill didnt arrive, I called again and talked to Jenny who told me she could not send me a bill because it had been turned over for collection.
I complained to the betterbusiness bureau who acknowledged the have received simillar complaints. I am still working to resolve this.
I have contacted an attorney and it is my intention to sue Voicestream. I have the last bill they have sent me and the cancelled checks to prove payment including "previous balance".
I have a letter from Voicestream to the Attorney General stating the $1100.00 charges are for unpaid charges prior to January.
Dennis
Spokane, Washington
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