How do you deal with an incorrect bill / collection agency?

Question

3 1/2 years ago, we got "digital cable", and didn't like it, nor the cost. The cable company told us to give back the cable box, so we arranged a time for them to pick it up and left the cable box on the doorstep, which was picked up. We opted for regular cable, and was billed for the next 3 1/2 years like nothing was wrong, or that we owed any money for this box.

We just recently canceled our cable, and now our cable company says they never picked up our cable box, and that we owe them $200. Remember, this is 3 1/2 years after we supposedly had this box. I've called them probably five times now, and someone says they'll have a manager call me back, that never happens. I've even gone in person to the local business office, spoke with someone, where I was promised again to have someone call me back about this, still no call back.

I'm out of ideas, and now I have a collection agency on my case for the $$. How can I "make some noise" so someone can fix this problem?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Write a certified letter to the agency, asking them for verification of the debt.
Next, go down to the cable companies office, explain what happened and refuse to leave until you get the answers you need.
The moral of the story-get a receipt when you return equipment.

Answer 2

"left the cable box on the doorstep, which was picked up"

Do you know for absolute fact that the cable company picked it up and not someone else? And do you have any proof that the box was picked up by the cable company?

I understand not wanting to pay something you feel like you don't owe BUT the damage that is/will be done by a collection item on your credit report can cost you far more than the $200 for this cable box. And unless you have proof of return of the box to the cable company you have no chance of successfully disputing this charge.

As painful as it may be, my suggestion is to contact the credit manager at the cable company and offer to pay for deletion. That means they pull it back from the collection agency and it doesn't get reported as a collection item on your credit report.

Answer 3

Your problem may be in proving your returned the cable box. When you terminated service, someone looked at your record and discovered they didn't have the returned box checked off. This could be bad record keeping on their part or it could be that someone else picked up that cable box.

Try writing a letter to the cable company, outlining the problem and that you would like to resolve this. If you can negotiate with someone in authority, you might be able to split the difference and only pay half.

Without proof you returned the cable box, they will win.

Answer 4

The only way to make "noise" is to show your receipt that states you returned the box (which you don't have). The cable company has a contract that you signed that states you received a box and the fee if it is not returned. The only thing you can do is learn from this experience...ALWAYS get a receipt, NEVER leave anything for someone to "pick-up". When in doubt send it via UPS, Fed-Ex, USPS, insured, and "return receipt"...someone at address has to sign for the item and then you have proof. With UPS if you insure the item for $1000.00, the clerk has to open the carton and verify that the item is what you claim it is (well worth the $10 to $20). Even better is to return it directly to the customer service office and get a receipt (and save them for 10 years)...sorry for the bad news, but it's your word against their contract. Written contracts will always prevail over verbal.

Answer 5

Call the attorney generals office and lodge a complaint...
Also, send a registered letter to the collection agency..Tell them the bill is paid and DO NOT HARASS me again...or I will go to the federal trade commission.

Answer 6

The only way to fix this is to pay the amount. Long & short is you are screwed because you have no proof the box was returned.