Newbie here. I would like to get some advice on dealing w/ Verizon Wireless (VW). I have been in touch with the CA handling this case and was told that VW actually handles all the decisions regarding collections. So they are unwilling and unable to negotiate. I offered to settle and insisted on a "remove from CRA" agreement and they refused saying only VW could do that. Since then, I discovered this forum and have decided to fight this rather than settle. Has anybody else dealt with them specifically? If so, should I bother with a validation letter to the CA or send it directly to VW? If I need to send to VW, since they're not required to follow the 30 day limit, what would be the next step if they don't respond (which they probably won't). This is an old debt (4 years), but it's keeping me from getting the credit I need to startup my business and I need to get it removed asap. Any and all help greatly appreciated. --Matt
Verizon Wireless was one of my successes, thanks to the help on this board. Their credit specialists ARE authorized to do a pay for delete, but they do not offer it initially. Also, you have to call them and ask for the recovery group; they basically ignore all contact through the mail. Initially, they will offer pay for marking it paid, which is no bargain. If you push, they will not only agree to delete, but will sign something to that effect if you fax it to them. One caveat - I got a GREAT rep at Verizon who signed my agreement and promised deletion within 3 weeks (claimed it would go with their beginning-of-month tape to the CRAs). Middle of the next month - no deletion. Called back, new rep says, no, we don't delete. I told her I had a signed agreement. She says, fax it, I'll have someone call you. I faxed it, and although I never got a call back, they did delete the next day.
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Mireland, thanks for your response. Would you happen to have the phone number you used to contact Verizon? I've tried the number the CRA gave me, but it only allows you to leave a message and of course, nobody calls back. The CA was no help either. Thanks for your success story, it gives me hope!! --Matt
I have a few numbers written down, but I am pretty sure this is the right one: 866-865-1822. That should be their "Recovery" department, which is their internal collections group. They initially agreed to delete for payment without a squabble, but the rep wouldn't sign anything, accused me of having trust issues. (DUH!?!) I let it go a few months, and when I called back, the new guy said he was willing to honor that offer, and even agreed to sign my agreement and fax it back to me. I don't recommend trusting them without the signature - I get the sense it saved my bacon when I called to find out why they hadn't deleted. Good luck!
I just called the Alpharetta Recovery Dept. for VW ((800) 852-1922 if anyone's interested) to get a pay for delete done on a two year old charge of about $150. After about five minutes of no progress (they offered pay for marked as paid), I ended the call. I guess I'll try again in a few weeks to see if I get someone else a bit more cooperative. My tone was very polite and well-mannered. Perhaps I should have been a bit more agitated?
When you're dealing with reps they make notations on your file regarding your attitude. Any rep following them can see these notations. It's better to have a pleasant attitude when dealing with these overworked and underpaid reps.
