Folks, I'm getting chest pains over this one. At some point during this past summer, Sprint slammed my long distance. I became aware of the problem one evening when I went to make a long distance call and received a message indicating that my long distance has been suspended. Next morning I called my local phone company (whom I've had long distance with for ages) and they informed me that I had been switched to Sprint. I switched it right back to the local company. A few months go by, and I receive a bill from Sprint in early November. I immediatley called to inform them of the situation and had the most ignorant CSR tell me there was nothing she could do. So, I sent a detailed letter explaining the situation and that the had violated the FCC. Never heard back. Month later, I get another bill. I send another letter, this time threatening legal action. Next month I get a letter from them stating that if I don't make a payment, they are going to report it to the credit bureaus. I send ANOTHER letter, a PFB letter, and file a complaint with Connecticut's Department of Utility Control (per the FCC website) ALL of whom I have received NO REPLY from. Now, here's the kicker: I get a phone call from my MOTHER today telling me that my FATHER was declined credit because of UNPAID phone charges. Our first names are the same, middle initial different, and haven't lived at the same address in the same town for a very long time. He calls Equifax and they inform him that the Sprint account really 'belongs' to the son, different middle initial. Another unnerving phone call to Sprint directs me right to their collection department, with a woman politely answering the phone, asking me if I'll be paying with a check or credit card today. I tell her to hold it and explain the situation, only to be told I need to speak with Customer Service. Transfers the call, 12 minutes later some guy picks up. A repeat of the story, and lo and behold, I need to speak to the investigations department, which has convenient hours of 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday. So to summarize the situation, after numerous letters going UNANSWERED, they continue to persure and report the account to my FATHERS credit bureau reports. I'm going to call tomorrow from work, but I'm prepared to file suit at this point. Any advice???? Thanks for listening - Ken
Can your "LOCAL" help??? They say on my bill that you CAN'T be disconnected if you don't pay any charges OTHER THAN LOCAL... (MUST PAY LOCAL if you dispute LD or other charges...you don't have to pay) WHILE THEY INVESTIGATE. They MAY have some ideas for you...
I don't know what the "local" company might say, the charges from Sprint never appeared on my bill, they came separate. If I don't get any satisfaction tomorrow, do I have grounds to sue? I know they've broken the FCC rules, but what about FCRA? Ken
Read this: http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/...ADD/catID/720EDD3B-CBBE-4451-96E879966187D381 and this: http://www.consumerlaw.org/initiatives/osi/brochures/content/slamming.pdf It doesn't appear that there is a lot you can do except file a complaint with FTC. On the other hand, it would be interesting to see if you can make a case that they fraudulently placed this item on your credit report. If someone claims you owe them money because they committed fraud, then reporting you to CRAs would be in furtherance of that fraud. What do you think? I got slammed by Sprint as well, and it was next to impossible to get them off again.
The Fair Credit Billing Act would be the actual law that provides the most protection in this situation... Did you send your dispute letters certified? Under the FCBA they have 2 complete billing cycles to respond to the dispute, they also have to write a "We have received your dispute of our bill, and are reviewing..." notice when they've received the letter. You'll want to search for Butch's thread on the FCBA.
