I didn't get a copy of my last bill from Verizon Wireless for my phone after I canceled my account. They claim they sent it out. They added a $5 late fee and sent it to a collection agency who then added $10 to the total. Do I have to pay these extra fees since I didn't get a copy of the bill? The collection agency says that I don't have to receive a copy of a bill and they will not waive any fees. Verizon says there is nothing they can do now that it is at collection. What can I do about this? What laws apply in this situation? This applies to Illinois. I was never late with a payment before this.
Re: Re: Do I have to Pay this Fee? Just to let you know, VERIZON has a HISTORY of this type of behavior... pure SLIMEBALLS!!! a friend of mine had verizon wireless and his phone broke (no fault of his). they said that he would have to "send it in" for repairs and they would fix it... it would take 3 weeks and during this time, they REFUSED to pause service (so he would still pay for the phone bill). he thought this was ridiculous so he decided to cancel service (his cell is his main phone so he couldn't go 3 weeks with no service). they said he would have to pay $300 for closing the account and kept giving him hell.... very soon after, they sent the bill to collections (i don't think he ever received it because he NEVER pays ANYTHING LATE!). at the time, he knew nothing about credit matters, so he just paid the bill. NOW, they have it on 2 of his credit reports that he was 120+ days late and never paid (which is completely untrue but they recently VERIFIED it but put PAID... he will have to pursue tougher tactics to get it removed). on the credit report WITHOUT the verizon collections, he has 770+(he has never paid any bills late in his entire credit history on his reports BESIDES this account)... on the other two his report is bumped down to 660 & 680.. verizon basically screwed him!!! it's completely nonsense!!! and it will be there for the next 5 years, unless he pursues something more.... hey, maybe i'll ask the board.... GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CASE!!!!!!!!! ----atiYana!
Re: Re: Do I have to Pay this Fee? Can a collection agency add a fee that is not in my contract with Verizon?
Re: Re: Do I have to Pay this Fee? Sue Verizon, for violations of the FCBA and research their background and history on this kind of thing as proof. Also if you friend can show he was never late before and his credit reflects this then the judge should believe him that Verizon never sent the bill. At the very least a small claims suit should have them negotiating removal of the late for dismissal. That is what i would do If I knew for a fact I was wronged! Your buddy has plenty of damages with credit like that! Tac
Re: Re: Re: Do I have to Pay this Fee? Does your contract with Verizon allow for the addition of collection fees? jlynn ======= ================== Such fees aren't payable to A CA. CA fees aren't the obligation of the consumer. Also a CA can't add their fee to a debt they purchase. The END ************************* LB 59
I definately agree with the previous advice given. That said, your time is worth a lot more than $15. I would pay the fee. More important is will the CA and OC report on CR? If your credit score gets lowered it could cost you thousands in extra fees and interest!
