OK, I received a bill from AT&T wireless today. Currently, I have their service. I have had it since Oct of 1998. I pay my bill every month on time I have a basic rate plan with unlimited off peak, as I never use my phone. This was supposedly a bill from 1996, the amount is 457.00. I called to gain an understanding of what the bill was all about. The rep was clueless (I know how the reps are clueless ect) He couldn't tell me anything about this bill. He told me the bill was sold to a collection agency in 1997. That was all he could tell me. Should I leave it alone? I started service in 1998. I know its not my bill but I haven't heard from a collection agency yet, to ask for validation. I want a copy of the signed contract ect. Not just copies of the bill. I dont' know what to do. The SOL has run out if they sold it in 1997. I am so confused. I have come so far to have a collection hit my reports right now. It would destroy my scores.
Stay on them until you get a letter or something in writing stating that the issue has been resolved. AT&T sent a bill to a collections agency in my name and I was lucky enough that it didn't end up on my credit report. However, whenever I called customer service, NO ONE could tell me what the charges were for.
Terry, Did AT&T send you this invoice just out of the blue or did you request info from the previous acct ? From what I know,once they send it to outside collections,their contract does not allow for them to discuss it with you. But since it is a small amount(under 1,000),they may have decided to retain the account for inhouse collections. Back in 1998 is when they started VERBAL agreements;if svc started prior you should have a expired contract but it is NOT allowed to auto-renew(they lost BIG TIME in a class action suit....when they were McCaw Communications). Certainly INSIST that they prove the debt;they should have lost the records by now with all of the transtioning they have done(I used to work for them 6 yrs in CS before they closed the Call Center). Let me know.... Sister Girl
