SBC - Prodigy
Erroneous Account Sent to Collections and Reported as Bad Debt

The following is a portion of the emails I have had so far with SBC on this erroneous account. This is my original email, after 1 hour on the phone with SBC billing representatives.

June 16
Today I came home and checked the mail. I have a letter from a collection agency for a Prodigy bill for $70.35. I have never had Prodigy and was confused by the collection notice. I started calling the number on the collection notice when I realized the number was 1-866-sbc-dial. I spoke to a man in billing (who did not speak fluent English), and after much debate and misunderstanding, I asked to speak to a supervisor. He argued with me about me talking to the supervisor.

Finally he put a Tanya, ID#RBCPFA, on the phone. She told me the Prodigy account was an erroneous account and there had NEVER been any activity on it. She said she would close the account and credit the $70.35. I then asked if this had been turned in to the credit bureau, and she said yes. I asked her what SBC was going to do about my credit concerning this account. She said they would report it showing the account was paid. I told her that it would still show on my account negatively. She said that anyone who knew how to read a credit report would know that it was an erroneous account.

I WANT THIS TAKEN OFF MY CREDIT REPORT. It should have never been put on my credit. Someone could have actually gone into the account before it was turned in to collections to see if it was a legitimate account.

SBC response, June 17:
"Thank you for your recent email. Unfortunately, we do not handle the collections actions for Prodigy. I would have to recommend you contact Prodigy regarding the removal of this information from your credit report. Thank you for choosing the SBC family of companies. We value your business and continued loyalty. If we haven't fully answered your question, please reply directly to this e-mail."

My response back to SBC, June 17:
"The collection notice I received for the Prodigy account told me to call 1-866-sbc-dial. I called the number, and SBC was answering the calls, and I spoke to SBC reps. I was told that the account was set up by SBC when I opened my SBC Yahoo account for internet service. Are we at a stalemate here?"

SBC response, June 17:
"Thank you for the recent email. Please contact SBC Yahoo at 1 866 722-3425 (which translates to 1-866-sbc-dial) and speak with a representative to dispute the charges. Thank you for choosing the SBC family of companies. We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve you. Sincerely, Your SBC Online Service Representative"

My response to SBC, June 18:
"I have spoken to SBC reps, but we still have the issue of my credit. An erroneous Prodigy account was created by SBC in my name, then sent to collections, then reported to the credit bureau as a bad debt, TOTALLY WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, until I checked my mailbox the week of June 14. This account was created over 1 year ago, and I have not received ANY statements, notices, or any other kind of information that this account even existed. I want to know what SBC is going to do to correct my credit on this erroneous account."

To be continued.

Company: SBC - Prodigy
Country: USA
State: Texas
City: Houston
Address: PO Box 1780

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