I was shocked to find an almost 7 year old report from Pac Bell on my credit report. I remember the day I paid this bill because I had a hard time finding the building. I seem to always live paycheck to paycheck. I can't keep a checking account open so I pay by money order.
Long story short, I call up SBC to see about this account that I don't think is correct. They tell me to call American Agencies in Torrance. I call and reach a rep. She tells me that I owe 377.57. Still in question if this is really mine, I ask her to verify the number. Sure enough it was a number I had 7 years ago. I figure that it was my stupidity for not following up 7 years ago to make sure this account was closed, so I should just pay it and be done with it.
The rep tells me that I have to use Western Union to pay this bill. I asked her if there was an address that I could mail it to. She said no, I have to use Western Union. So I drive to the only Western Union in my area and try to pay. The lady at the Western Union says she can't participate in payment to AA anymore. I thought that was strange. I called AA back and explained what happened. The rep told me the lady must be mistaken, that I should find another one. Mind you I am trying to take care of a bill on my lunch hour. I am a single parent working full time and going to school. I don't have alot of spare time to go driving around. I tell the rep that I have to get back to work so finding another Western Union was not going to work. I again asked her for an address that I could mail it. She told me again that I had to use Western Union, either walking in or by credit card over the phone. Then I would have to call her back to verify payment. I started getting irritated.
How hard should this be to pay a stinking bill. I tell her I don't have time to play around anymore, to please give me a mailing address so I can mail it on my way home from work. She told me that the account accures interest daily so it would be impossible to mail it, that I have to Western Union it to pay it. I then told her my cell was cutting out and hung up on her.
Later my friend told me that the reps get a commission for every bill payed thru Western Union.
What the heck!!! I try to take care of something, that I am not even sure is correct, and she makes it impossible for me to take care of. Now I find out the corp is suspended.
The rep didn't bother to tell me that. Of course not.
I am guessing the Western Union wouldn't take the payment because of the suspension.
Now I am going to dispute the bill. My moment of pay it and be done with it is over.
How far do I have to bend over to pay a bill? I guess they'll never get paid.
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