I really need some advice. Its been 3 years and Verizon is trying to charge me for bogus residential telephone services. In Jan 2000, I called Verizon and scheduled a disconnection date of January 7, 2000. The telephone was disconnected as requested and I relocated to another state on the same day. As agreed Verizon sent my final bill to my mother's home in the old state. About August of the same year, Verizon started sending additional revised bills to my new residence demanding payment for phone services rendered April-June 2000 for the previous phone number that I had. I called Verizon several times and sent letters disputing the $188.42 as this clearly was not my bill. Also Verizon allowed MCI to slam that old number. One rep, even did a conference call with myself & MCI. The MCI Rep became very rude once she was advised that I was on the line. She immediately ordered the Verizon Rep to place me on hold so that they could speak. When that telephone was active Excel was my long distance carrier not MCI. After speaking with several Verizon reps, I was told that the matter had been resolved as their system clearly showed that I had terminated the services on Jan 7th. I requested such in writing...guess what??? I never received anything. A couple months passed and I started getting collection calls and letters from the CA. So, I went through the same conversations that I had with the Verizon CSR's. One CA advised that they were on the same system as Verizon and he could see that services were disconnected on Jan 7th. I advised him that I am requesting a letter advising that this matter was resolved and the debt is null and void. I also advised him of the law regarding credit reporting. After that call, I never heard from the CA again. January 2003, I received a online copy of my Equifax CR. Verizon had placed this bill on the CR in November 2002. I disputed and Equifax removed it. Well here it is October 2003, and earlier this week I received a letter from the CA demanding the $188.42. I called the CA and advised that I was not going to go through the same battle again. The Rep advised that this was their first time contacting me and this was my debt, as they show Verizon disconnected my services in April 2000 due to lack of payment. I went through the entire scenario with her and suggested that she check her system as it clearly shows services were disconnected in Jan '00 per my request. She advised that she could not see such information. I advised that it was strange because I was previously advised that they were on the same system as Verizon. Her reply, "A lot of reps tell people that but it isn't true". I advised her to notate the account with everything that I told her. Also, that I'm planning to retain an attorney. Her reply "OK...please send everything that you just said to us in writing and we're going to research and when you get your attorney please have him to contact us". I asked her about my previous file which of course she had no knowledge of so I strongly suggested that she did a little research to find it. I am really fed up with Verizon. I don't know whats up with their billing sytem but I could really use some advice. Thanks in advance!
Hi ... which CA are you dealing with? it's not IC SYSTEMS by any chance is it? who is reporting the TL to the CRAs -- Verizon or CA? I had similar problems with Verizon. They are useless. They can't keep their records straight. They can't keep payments straight. And they can't even connect people correctly. I have never heard one person in the entired time I have been on the East Coast say anything positive about Verizon! tboy
#1) Did the CA put in writing the resolution previously? #2) If not, this is why you don't speak with them over the phone, send a validation letter, and limited cease & desist telling them to not contact you in any way except for mail, and to not make any third-party communications. #3) Do you have anything in writing from Verizon to back up the actual shut-off date? If yes, DO NOT PROVIDE IT TO THE CA, this is your ace-in-the-hole, you don't provide any data to the CA until you absolutely have to. Who the CA is is also important to figure out what to do next. But the important thing is to stop them from calling you, and to get them to put everything in writing. If you DEMAND that they put something in writing, they won't, but if you force them to write about anything, and everything if they want to talk to you, then you have the paper-trail. In the validation, you want them to provide "complete historical documentation, including but not limited to all statements, and invoices, etc."
Thanks tboy! Yes, IC Systems is the CA. My Equifax report showed that Verizon reported the TL. Were you able to resolve your dispute??
1. No resolution in writing previously from CA. 2. Noted..will send validation letter 3. I don't have a letter verifying the shut off date only the final bill from Verizon. 4. CA is IC Systems. Above advice duly noted going forward all communications with CA will be in writing only. Thanks very much for your assistance!
Re: Re: Problems With Verizon..warning Long 2* Here is the Validation Letter you want to send by CRRR. Don't make any changes on it and don't hand sign it. Your Name Address City State Zip Company Address City State Zip Date RE: Account #__________________/Original Creditorâ??s Name Dear Sir/Madame: Thank you for your recent inquiry. This is not a refusal to pay, but a notice that your claim is being disputed. This is a request for validation made pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Please complete and return the attached disclosure request form. Be advised that I am not requesting a "verification" that you have my mailing address, I am requesting a "validation;" that is, competent evidence that I have some contractual obligation to pay you. You should also be aware that sending unsubstantiated demands for payment through the United States Mail System might constitute mail fraud under federal and state law. You may wish to consult with a competent legal advisor before your next communication with me. Your failure to satisfy this request within the requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act will be construed as your absolute waiver of any and all claims against me, and your tacit agreement to compensate me for costs and attorney fees. Sincerely, Your Name don't sign - - - Include the following on a separate sheet of paper - - - CREDITOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Name and Address of Collector (assignee): _________________________ Name and Address of Debtor: ____________________________________ Account Number(s): ____________________________________________ What are the terms of assignment for this account? You may attach a facsimile of any records relating to such terms. Have any insurance claims been made by any creditor or assignee regarding this account? YES/NO Has the purported balanced of this account been used in any tax deduction claim? YES/NO Please list the particular products or services sold by the collector to the debtor and the dollar amount of each: Upon failure or refusal of collector to validate this collection action, collector agrees to waive all claims against the debtor named herein and pay debtor for all costs and attorney fees involved in defending this collection action. ________________________________ Authorized signature for Collector Date_______/_______/_______ Please return this completed form and attach all assignment or other transfer agreements that would establish your right to collect this debt. Your claim cannot be considered if any portion of this form is not completed and returned with the required documents. This is a request for validation made pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you do not respond as required by this law, your claim will not be considered and you may be liable for damages for continued collection efforts. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Send this letter next if you don't get validation in 30 days. Estoppel Letter DON'T CHANGE Send CRRR Your Name Address «City», «State» «Zip» Company» Address «City», «State» «Zip» «Date» RE: Dispute Letter of <insert date> Dear Sir/Madame: As I have not heard back from you in over 30 days regarding my notice of dispute dated <insert date>, and you have not supplied the demanded proof of the alleged debt, under the doctrine of estoppel by silence, Engelhardt v Gravens (Mo) 281 SW 715, 719, I may presume that no proof of the alleged debt, nor therefore any such debt, in fact exists. In a good faith effort to resolve this matter amicably, I restate my demand for proof of the debt, specifically the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature, as well as proof of your authority in this matter. Absent such proof, you must terminate this collection action and correct any erroneous reports of this debt as mine. For the record, I state again that as I have no account with you, nor am I your customer, nor have I entered into a contract with you, I must ask for the following information: Please evidence your authorization under 15 USC 1692 (e) and 15 USC 1692 (f) in this alleged matter. What is your authorization of law for your collection of information? What is your authorization of law for your collection of this alleged debt? Please evidence your authorization to do business or operate in the state of ____________________ . Please evidence proof of the alleged debt, including specifically the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature. You have fifteen (15) days from receipt of this notice to respond. Your failure to respond, on point, in writing, hand signed, and in a timely manner, will work as a waiver to any and all of your claims in this matter, and will entitle me to presume that you sent your letter(s) in error, and that this matter is permanently closed. Your continued silence is unacceptable. Either provide the proof or correct the record to remove the invalid debt from my credit files with the three primary credit-reporting agencies. You are currently in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Act. Failure to respond within 15 days of receipt of this registered letter will result in a small claims action against your company. I will be seeking $_____________________ in damages for the following: Defamation Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act After obtaining the judgment against your company, I will obtain a Writ of Execution from the Sheriffâ??s office in your county and I will begin the process of attaching property or funds to satisfy the judgment. For the purposes of 15 USC 1692 et seq., this Notice has the same effect as a dispute to the validity of the alleged debt and a dispute to the validity of your claims. This Notice is an attempt to correct your records, and any information received from you will be collected as evidence should any further action be necessary. This is a request for information only, and is not a statement, election, or waiver of status. I affirm under penalty of perjury under the Laws of the Land for the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sincerely, Your Name DON'T SIGN """""""""```~~~```'"""""""""
Re: Re: Re: Problems With Verizon..warning Long Keep us posted on this. I also have a Collection with Verizon in which IC Systems is also the CA. I sent validation on Sat 10/18/2003 I will let you know what happends.
