I first received a phone bill for $605 from verizon wireless in 10/03. The letter stated if the amount could not be paid in full to contact them. I called verizon and sent numerous letters that I could not pay in full but would make payments.
Every time I talked to a rep on the phone they said they would note the account and someone would call me back. My letters were never answered and no payment arrangement was ever agreed to. The following month, Allied Interstate sent me a letter stating that I owed $1400 to verizon and that it needed to be paid in full. It also stated that if I could not pay in full to contact them to make payment arrangements.
I wrote them a letter stating that I could not pay in full but willing to make monthly payments and that I wanted validation of the debt. I owed $605 not $1400 and until I received paperwork from verizon, I was not admitting to that debt. I never heard back from them. On 11/24/03, I received a message on my answering machine from an allied interstate collector to return this call immediately.
I called on wed and he was not in so I told the lady that I would call on friday. Friday comes and he calls me up saying why didn't I return his call. I told him I called on wed. And he called me a liar. He then proceeded to accuse me of running up cell phone bills without paying them. He claimed I had a history of this and was a cell phone abuser. He said I have another bill in collections for cingular wireless $800. I said I don't know what you are talking about and I have never received anything on cingular and again he called me a liar.
He claimed that the bill has been in collection for 2 years. I told him to send me the paperwork on cingular and he changed the subject. I also said why are you talking about cingular when you are calling me about verizon. He refused to answer any of my questions. He said we will deal with cingular later. He then proceeded to tell me that this debt is on the verge of going on my credit report and that it is unpaid.
I explained to him that I have made numerous attempts to make payment arrangements and all were ignored. His answer was of course they were, NO PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY PAYMENT IN FULL. I said I could not pay in full but could pay $100 a month until the holidays are over. He said he was going to ruin my credit and that I was a jerk for not paying. I tried to say something in return to that rude comment and he quickly said have a nice life with your ruined credit, you f*ing jerk and hung up on me.
I can't believe a collection agency can get away with treating people this way. I was very nice and cooperative on the phone and I get swore at and hung up on. I am trying to pay towards a bill and I get harassed and ruined credit. I am just wondering what rights I have and what I can and should do from here. I checked my credit report and now this verizon bill is on there along with the $1400 mystery bill that I never had.
I am currently disputing them. Is there any legal recourse I can take or just file complaints??? I would appreciate anyone's help and advice. I just want to know if a company can get away with this and why payments are not acceptable? You would think a company would want to get there money back, even if it was in payments. After that phone call, this company will not see a dime from me. They can sue me in court!!
0 comments