About a year ago, I called a internet company to cancel my internet. Well something must have happened and it never was done! I called the next time and they said that they could fix. Fast Forward.... I got a letter from a collection agency for an outstanding total that I should not have to pay, and no one will help me! What should I do? I don't have the name of the person that was susposed to fix it, and they never sent me a bill. How can I fix my credit?
2006-08-21 18:44:35 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
A similar thing happened to me once. I brought the bill in and said 'This was cancelled a year ago....what is this bill about?" They checked their records...I paid 10% on the balance owing. (part of the bill was my fault). A lot of companies use scare tactics. Face them head on.
2006-08-21 18:54:27 · answer #1 · answered by markus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off write back or call the collection agency and tell them what happened!
I agree with the previous answers, but be specific... with as close as possible on time frames of your calls. Somewhere along the line they will probably reduce how much you owe them.
GET your credit report. See if the collection agency is on there. See if the internet company is on there. Chances are that the internet company wrote it off as bad debt, So they don't care(somewhat) They'll take whatever money the collection agency will pay them.
You can call the credit bureaus and dispute if they are on there, but the CB's will request verification. If it's verified that's it, it stays on you report until it's removed after 7 years or the collection agency removes it.
Here's the kicker, if the collection agency is hunting you down to pay tell them you will pay a reduced rate and you want it taken off your credit report!!! I mean not just have it as "Paid debt in full" I'm talking about removed totally from your report. Tell them that's the only way you'll pay it......GL
2006-08-21 22:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by poojally 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go back and look at your bills for the new internet service you switched to and make a copy of the bill. With the bill in hand send a copy and request to the dropped service for a record of the log file for any services used past the date of your first billing from the new company. Make sure you send the request in writing, certified, return receipt requested If they send you proof you have used it, PAY the bill. If not used, you have a starting point to contest the charges. If they respond that they won't send the log files or prove the charges make a copy of your certified letter, your bill form the new providor and their negative response. Send all the copies to each of the 3 credit bureaus and request that the negative credit remarks be removed as an unsubstantiated and unauthorized charge. Contest the charges with the credit bureau's using a copy of the bill from your new service to establish the switching of service and unauthorized charges. Be prepared for the question of why you didn't contact the old providor when you were first billed or when they sent the pastdue notice etc... MAKE SURE YOU DO IT WITH ALL 3 CREDIT BUREAU'S AS THEY UPDATE OFF OF EACHOTHER AND THE BAD MARKS WILL SHOW BACK UP IF YOU ONLY CONTACT ONE ...Good luck but it's a start.
2006-08-21 21:37:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a hard lesson you have just learned. Always do things in writing so there is no disputing what you said. Write the internet company and tell them your woes. Try to talk to an important manger or someone as well as writing to resolve this, but make sure you put it in writing. Don't deal with the collection agency at all. Tell them you will report them for harassment if they call you again.
2006-08-21 18:52:45 · answer #4 · answered by ruthie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Copy them on formal complaints filed to the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General.
Also, on that collection agency letter, you only have 30 days to dispute the validity of that debt. Dispute it immediately or else it will be held as a valid debt!
2006-08-22 02:12:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the collection agency immediately and explain the situation.
get a copy of your credit report, and if it is on there, contact the credit bureau you got the report from and take the steps to dispute it.
2006-08-21 18:52:09 · answer #6 · answered by allrightythen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can contact the internet company and hope they will fix it, but in the meantime, rack your brain for the name of the person who helped you. You can also try to dispute the debt.
2006-08-21 18:52:50 · answer #7 · answered by little bitty pretty one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a chance if you had sent an e-mail, while asking for cancelling your internet. Otherwise an honourable settlement is the other alternative.
VR
2006-08-21 19:10:50 · answer #8 · answered by sarayu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to dispute it with the credit company's ...all 3 of them, transunion,equafax,experian.you are entitled to 1 free copy of all of them 1 time a year.that when you get your copies you have to fill out disout form that comes with it. for all 3 seperatly.and then you mail them back to the credit agency's
2006-08-21 18:53:06 · answer #9 · answered by summer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to pay i tthen dispute it. Dont let them post anything to your credit.
2006-08-21 18:52:52 · answer #10 · answered by Bigtima 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋