Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on what to do next. I've received 2 collection letters from CMI (AT&T's secret collection agency) over the past few months, saying I owe $440 for the AT&T (Dish Network) satellite receiver that I returned months ago when I moved, via UPS, just like AT&T requested. My brother, who worked at the same apartment complex, recommended that I hold on to the UPS tracking number because AT&T has a history of "losing" these returned receivers. Well guess what? It happened to me too! After calling and questioning them they said they would "check the warehouse" for that tracking number and call me back. They never did. Rinse and repeat - this exact same thing happened a couple months later. My question is, what do I do now? I was a good little boy and turned in the equipment and have a tracking number to prove it. They obviously mixed something up and need to fix it. Who do I call or threaten to sue? This is taking up a lot of time and frustration on my end because of them. And the charge has just shown up on my credit report this month. Not cool! After an internet search, I see that "CMI" has a history of such behaviour. What do I do now??? Help!
Should I call CMI again and ask to speak to a manager or something like that? Both times they have failed to call me back after they were supposed to "check their warehouse" to find my equipment.
While you can but you take a chance on a half ass search and who"s to say its not already been sent back out.Call ups and use your tracking number which will tell you who signed for it at the warehouse find that out and your off the hook.In this day and age with so many hoodlums and liars out there and thats just our goverment that its hard to take anybody's word.
Do as JJ says and in addition, send CMI a written request for validation of the debt, send AT & T a FACTA request for verification of the debt, and dispute any associated tradeline through the credit reporting agencies. Challenge the account statuses and balances. If they verify it, sue them both and the credit reporting agencies for allowing verification.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice! I know I'm not the only one they have bullied around. And you do you think I'll ever subscribe to AT&T Home Entertainment's Satellite service again? Not likely!
Update: Situation resolved! I just wanted to update this thread on this situation. I checked my credit report last month and it shows that the charge has been cancelled, so apparently they (AT&T Home Entertainment and/or CMI) finally got on the ball and found my equipment in their warehouse! I returned it in the Fall and it was a long and frustrating battle but it's finally over, at least until next time.
