I am so furious right now. I spoke with a collection agency regarding an account showing on my credit report (10/01). We agreed last week to a settlement of $215.00. Account is $266.00. They agreed to remove the account from my credit report. I sent them a letter. Now all of a sudden they don't/can't remove accounts. They can only report the account as paid and it will continue to show on my credit report for the next 7 - 10 years! HA!!! what a bunch of crap. Only public records (BK's, tax liens and judgements report >7yrs). At any rate I guess now I have to send the C&D letter along with the letter of validation. The account is supposedly for MCI communications. I don't remember signing up with them. I wonder if they have a tape recording or something. I hope they do because I am going to demand they have a voice specialists submit an opinion as the authenticity of the recording....or something like that. Any suggestions as to how I move forward? Thanks ya'll
Be careful with MCI. I was slammed last year via a 3rd party selling for MCI. It took MONTHS (like 6) to get everything resolved. I would check with your state's Consumer Affairs Dept., or whoever monitors public service providers (phone companies, electric co., etc), as well as you local phone company. The company that slammed me was eventually kicked out of Florida due to their unsavory business tactics! I believe the company was ATN (billing company) ILD long distance, selling MCI airtime, if you can follow all that! LOL!
Was this for long distance service or for a cell phone? If it was for a cell phone, you either had the phone or didn't. If it was for long distance service, it should have been billed by your local phone company. That would mean that you would have missed paying on your local bill. One other thought. I got slammed by ATT. I called my phone company and put a block on any changes. In other words, I cannot be switched to another carrier unless my local phone company calls and gets my approval first. I also called ATT and got on their do not call list so I will not get any calls from them again.
It was for long distance service and it wasn't billed through my local carrier as I have no problems with my account. My account actually is in good standing as I have only been late twice since the entire time I have had the account.
To keep from getting slammed: Call your local carrier and ask for a PIC RESTRICTION. this means, even if you really sign a form saying you'll change, they still can't change you. You have to change your own long distance by calling your local company. Nothing else will change it. if everyone would do this then slamming would be a thing of the past.
ljones: I thought all long distance service was billed through the local company. I suspect this may be a mistake. Send them a validation letter (Lizardking style) and make them prove it is yours. With the way thesae carriers work, I would be very suspicious.
