My company pays on our cell phones but we are setup personally on each account with Singular. I moved to another state and my company mistakenly did not close my Cingular account. I discovered this when I received a Collections Settlement letter from CCA - Collection Company of America.
They sent me a *Final Settlement Offer* of $509.31 on a total due amount of $636.64. When I called into their offices I explained the mix up with my company. I did not want this to show on my credit report and they agreed that it would not If I paid the full amount rather than the settlement amount. I then stated on the phone back to them. "What you are saying is that you will REMOVE this from my credit report if I pay more (the full amount) than your settlement request. Gail Amberson is who I spoke with and she agreed and stated "Yes".in fact she stated she would send me a fax confirmation of the removal from my credit report. I gave her my fax number, paid $661.64 instead of the $509.31.
After I spoke with Gail they sent me to their verifications person. I again stated back the terms of the agreement and they stated affirmatively "YES" we will remove it from your credit report if you pay this amount.
It has been over a month and my credit report still shows the collection with a 0 balance. I called back and of course I was sent around to 5 different departments until I finally ended up speaking with a manager.
Them manager Sara Patterson told me that they "do not remove things from credit reports" and that Gail Amberson was not their today. I stated that I had recorded the call and she said well if you send us the recording, we will remove it from your credit report.in other words, just after she said they cannot remove an item from a credit report, she said they would if I had it tape recorded...
What a scam! What a bunch of liars and deceivers! To think that I have to have a tape recorded call to protect myself! - I looked through my records and I have not been able to find this recording so basically they are telling me that without proof, they will not do anything. How about the proof that I paid $150 BUCKS MORE THAN THEY ASKED!
This type of deceptive behavior should be illegal and I am planning to file a complaint with the BBB and attorney general and if anyone can give me information on credit laws related to deceptive collections practices I would welcome it.
Anyway Just wanted to warn all of you when dealing with these liars. Please record your calls with them so you do not fall victim of their deceptive practices. Also as a result of this, our company has dropped all service with Cingular. I will never do business with Cingular again in my life and will tell as many people on the planet about their shenanigan's with CCA.
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