After about 17 months of the MCI Worldcom Wireless contract, I tried to cancel. I had satisfied the 12 month requirement.
I had not received a bill for several months. I tried to call the customer service phone number on the last bill, but could not get through.
The menu had two options; neither of which allowed you to proceed; you couldn't even wait, you got a message to call back later.
I tried from January until March when I received a bill. I wrote a letter telling MCI that I tried to cancel but could not via phone.
I wish to cancel and asked for a final bill. A few months later I received a bill with more charges. This was July; I called and got through; I talked to a Customer Service Representative; explained I cancelled; she said I haven't been charged (little did I know that even their records were sadly delinquent).
She made a record of our conversation. I asked for a final bill.
I did not receive it; instead I received two bills in October increasing the charges to cover through September.
I tried calling the number on the bill which was 800-254-8994 and got a bizarre message that I had to be over 18 and in 30 seconds I would be charged $1.99 a minute if I did not hang up.
I redialed and got the same message!!! I received a call from their collections in November; I explained again the situation.
I talked to two different people and finally talked to a "supervisor" called "Missy." She reviewed the record, agreed the record indicated I had called in July; I explained I had sent a letter in March with my bill—she didn't want to see a copy of it.
She said they never got it. We agreed on a settlement so that this could be taken care of. She was to have a final bill sent to me for $67.12.
I never received it.instead I received additional bills each with a new month's charge on it until it reached $248.92 on Jan. 14.
On February 2, the bill increased $4.77 for a monthly access charge and taxes to $253.69 (this is for the billing period 12/13/01 - 1/12/02.
On June 15 I received a collection letter from G.C. Services Collection Agency, P.O. Box 2667 (126), Houston, TX 77252-2667, with an amount due of $253.69. Today June 16, I tried Worldcom's Customer Service again.
I was told by "Cassie" that it was out of their hands once it goes to a collection agency. I asked to speak to a supervisor. She came back to the phone as said no one was available. I said I would hold.
She said she could not hold any longer; that supervisor "Nicole" asked for a "call back number." I said when would she call back, and the answer was 24 to 48 hours.
I said that was inappropriate: I was here now; I cannot wait here for 48 hours for a returned call. I asked to speak to a manager, she refused to allow me to do this. I asked for the corporate phone number; she refused.
I have written a letter to the collection agency. I feel like I am being blackmailed to pay charges I do not owe in order to keep my credit rating in good standing.
I have acted in good faith and responsibly. But I see no end in sight—and the power of putting a black mark on my credit makes me a victim here.
A purse thief can get years in prison, but here is a company who is acting unethically and irresponsibly charging customers. Is this fraud? Incompetence?
At this time with all of the chances to correct this situation, there doesn't seem to be errors in billing but rather intentional disregard for fair billing. This is my first letter from a collection agency and I am nearly 60 years old!
Do I pay this bill "to make it all go away?" I have fought it and want to see this resolved fairly. But it appears hopeless with no mechanism to get it fixed. But if it is paid will it go away; will I continue to be charged? Help.
Judy
Hartford, Connecticut
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