We received a letter 9/15 from Credit Collection Services @ ph# 800-XXX-XXXX File# 07 009272347 advising us that we have been listed with their office for recovery of a bad debt in the amount $191.91 owed to Charter Communications.
Upon contacting Charter Communications, who we have not done business with for a few months, I was advised that it was an internal "credit problem" in our area and that a large number of their accounts (open and closed) have been reported as bad debt. Reed (can't give out his last name), Badge # 803 in their Florida office advised "that he would have to fill out a form and submit it to the Newnan, Ga office to get the Newnan office to take care of clearing it through the collection agency"."I was told this could take a few days". I then asked would I be copied in on what is sent to Credit Collection Services and was "told it would be my responsibility to ensure that the bad debt is removed from their records".
We don't owe Charter Communications anything as it's an internal billing error and we don't think it's our responsibility to ensure the bogus bad debt is cleared.
We have copies of a final bill from Charter showing a credit balance for an overpayment that we made towards our final bill. We also have copies of the credit that we received from Charter and the final bill then showing a zero balance. Charter verified that they did show a zero balance and that this bogus bad debt is just because of their internal "credit problem".
I then contacted Frank (again who can't give out his last name) at Credit Collection Services who advised that "they are well aware of the mishap with Charter and that there were numerous accounts turned over to them for collections". He advised that "the accounts are on hold and that they will not be reported against anyone's credit"."At this time it's a waiting game until Charter takes care of the situation and at that time I can request something in writing showing the bogus bad debt has been removed".
I then called Charter back twice to speak to a Supervisor at the Florida office as Newnan's phones are rolled over to their office and was left on hold for 20 minutes both times only to be hung up on.
My husband and I have an excellent credit history and don't need it destroyed by some company that we have dealt with in the past to have an "internal credit problem" in which we are reported for a bogus bad debt that we don't owe.
Isn't there something illegal about all of this? What can be done towards Charter Communications for causing this? Just how many people are affected?
Fran
sharpsburg, Georgia
U.S.A.
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