Cherry Blossom 35 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I closed service with Verizon in December. I paid my last bill. Apparently, they sent out an other bill in January. SUPPOSEDLY, they sent me three notices that I owed $20. Well let me tell, you, i NEVER RECIEVED ANY of these notices! None! Not a one! I came home today to find a letter in my mailbox from a collections agency, which means this has negatively affected my credit report. This is horrible! Let me tell you, I bought a condo 6 months ago and my credit score was well over 800. My record has basically been spotless my whole adult life. now there is the big black mark (collections! gasp!) for a measly $20. So my question is, how do I defend myself to the credit agencies? Do I write a letter stating what happened? How long will this be on my report? Is it 7 years, like a bankruptcy? I'm sooooooo upset. I'm a very responsible person and your credit score affects a lot of things. Please help if you can!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
jerbear Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 First put a customer comment in your credit file for all 3 agencies. Second, square away the issue with Verizon Third, once the Verizon issue has been settled, have them put a note in your credit file. I've switched away from Verizon because their customer service and technical service has declined since I was a customer. I've noticed they've been nickel and diming lately. Link to post Share on other sites
tanbark813 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 You pay the $20 and realize this isn't nearly as big a deal as you think it is. Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 You pay the $20 and realize this isn't nearly as big a deal as you think it is. yeah.. what he said .... Link to post Share on other sites
Grimmjow Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Yeah it's really not a big deal. Pay the money, make sure the collection agency knows it's paid and let it fade from your credit report with time. It's not 7 years by the way. Link to post Share on other sites
sally4sara Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I had the same thing happen when I changed from Verizon to Tmobile! They also wouldn't give me my account number to port my number because they said it was confidential. I hung up, called back and pretended to be a happy customer trying to get into my account on their website. They happily gave me my account number and I ported my number to my new phone anyway. Grrrrrrr how I have hated Verizon ever since! Sorry but you'll find it's easier to just pay the $20. Its the same advise Sonny gives C in A Bronx Tale. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Cherry Blossom 35 Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 I did pay the money, right away over the phone. At this point it is in collections. I called Verizon and they said I have to dispute it with the collections agency. I guess I will call them (not Verizon?) to put something in the credit report. I will also contact the three credit agencies myself. I think it's funny that supposedly they sent out 4 notices and I did not get even one. I have not used them since December. This was for home phone/internet, which I now have bundled with cable. The lady at Verizon was kind of short with me, and she kept saying "but you went to a competitor". I'm like, so are you punishing me for that? By the way, you don't offer cable service, so what exactly should I have done? Jerks. Thanks for the advice, everyone, I appreciate it. It just bothers me to have a black mark against my name and of course to lose status with the credit bureaus. Link to post Share on other sites
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