I moved and disconnected my phone in August. AT&T sent me a final bill and I made an on-line payment. I have the receipt from my bank showing the amount, date, payable to, and confirmation number.
Bay Area Credit Service contacted me one year later claiming that I had an outstanding balance of $76.66 to AT&T and had tacked on $296.83 in late fees and interest. After I stopped laughing, I sat down and wrote to them. I enclosed my receipt of payment along with a brief letter on how they were mistaken on the validity of this debt.
They never responded to my letter in writing, instead they dinged my credit report for not paying them! I furiously called them, wrote down the name of who I spoke to and resent the letter and receipts directly to his attention.
They removed the ding on my gredit report, but never did contact me in writing to verify that the account was clear.
Three months later... DING! They hit my credit report AGAIN for the same thing! I repeated the scenario above. I have lived this cycle, every three months for 2 1/2 years!
Today, I spent 21 minutes on hold to speak with Mary Carr, who's signature was on a letter I received from them on this latest cycle. She said that she has contacted AT&T personally and they 'verify' the account is valid. After I told her what she is doing is illegal, she told me that "I don't know anything about collections". I told her that when you try to collect money from someone who doesn't owe you a dime AND charge "late fees and interest" THAT IS A CRIME! She told me that when I am ready to discuss this rationally, I can call her back. THEN HUNG UP ON ME!!!
I called AT&T directly immeditely afterwards. I explained to two people my situation. Imagine my surprise (sarcasm) to learn there is no such debt! They faxed me a letter stating that within 20 minutes!
So now I was ready to "talk rationally' to Mary Carr! So I faxed her the letter from AT&T with "F*%$ You" written with a black sharpie over the top!
I am headed to the local Small Claims court this afternoon to file a law suit against this company. Can you imagine how fun this is going to be!? I'm going to take a FAT vacation with my $3000 of pain and suffering money! Ha!
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