Unfair Practice from Verizon

[Datman07]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

Hello all, I noticed there was a previous post regarding Verizon services, but my situation is a little different.

I am currently a Verizon customer and have been for some time receiving both internet and tv service. I recently moved a few months ago and before moving called Verizon's customer service to inquire about transferring the service over to the new house. At the time, I was initially told that the service could NOT be transferred and that I would have cancel my existing service and submit a new request for service at the new house. I had asked the representative about termination fees since they were telling me to cancel my service and was told that there would not be any retribution for cancelling my existing service as long as I signed up for service again. I also inquired about downgrading to internet-only service since I did not need both tv and internet and once again was told that there would be no penalties.

So going off of the representative's word, I submitted requests to cancel my existing service at the old house and sign up for new (internet only) service at the new house. About two months after moving, I received an astronomical bill from Verizon which turned out to be early termination fees. I quickly called Verizon and spoke to their billing department to rectify the matter and basically told me everything that the previous representative told me was NOT true saying that my service could have been transferred and any change in service would result in termination fees. Not to mention that they considered the termination fees valid and refused to lower the amount or remove altogether even though I was still a customer. Infuriated, I disputed the charges and said that I would not pay those fees due to the misinformation I had recieved from one of their service representatives. After this particular discussion, I recieved no further communication from Verizon regarding the termination fees and continued to pay monthly on the new account.

Recently I found out that Verizon has since sold the disputed debt to a collector and have been receiving non-stop calls regarding the amount. I would like to put an end to this matter, but do not want to reward Verizon for their shady practices. I can send a letter of dispute to the collection agency, but that probably would not stop the harrassment. What would be the best way to handle the situation while fairly holding on to my money? Should I let the debt company try and sue me and then try to explain the situation in court? I'm sure they are already reporting negatively on my credit report!

 

[justalayman]

were you under a contract at the prior residence? Basically, if you changed your service from internet and TV to just internet, would there have been any early termination fees.

If you do not want contact from a collection agency, you simply send them a written demand to cease contact. After that, the only legally allowed contact is if/when they sue you.

as far as not rewarding Verizon; if they actually sold the debt to a CA (or more accurately a debt buyer) and is not simply employing the services of a collection agency, they have received all they are going to receive. The buyer has already paid them for the account.

 

[Datman07]

were you under a contract at the prior residence? Basically, if you changed your service from internet and TV to just internet, would there have been any early termination fees.

If you do not want contact from a collection agency, you simply send them a written demand to cease contact. After that, the only legally allowed contact is if/when they sue you.

as far as not rewarding Verizon; if they actually sold the debt to a CA (or more accurately a debt buyer) and is not simply employing the services of a collection agency, they have received all they are going to receive. The buyer has already paid them for the account.

I will look into the written demand to cease contact, thanks for the advice! I was under contract for both internet and tv, but was originally told by the customer service rep that I would not be penalized with early termination fees as long as i signed up for new service, even if it was just internet. This is what irritates me. All I wanted was to transfer my existing service to the new houseand was taken advantage of.

 

[Zigner]

I will look into the written demand to cease contact, thanks for the advice! I was under contract for both internet and tv, but was originally told by the customer service rep that I would not be penalized with early termination fees as long as i signed up for new service, even if it was just internet. This is what irritates me. All I wanted was to transfer my existing service to the new houseand was taken advantage of.

I am surprised they haven't disconnected you at the new place, since you have a prior outstanding balance...

Is your new service still in "your" name, as opposed to, say, your wife's?

 

[Datman07]

I am surprised they haven't disconnected you at the new place, since you have a prior outstanding balance...

Is your new service still in "your" name, as opposed to, say, your wife's?

Everything is in my name and always has been. I have never received ANY disconnection notification of the sort. I received the one bill that I called and disputed and received no further communication until the collection agency started bothering me. I'm sure they (Verizon) have record of both conversations (customer service and billing) but I probably have no way of getting to that information.

 

[Datman07]

So one question does remain. What if this collection agency DOES decide to try and sue me? Would I have ANY defense (Since it would basically be my word vs. theirs)? Or would I have to try and work some kind of settlement beforehand to prevent paying the full amount and possibly having to deal with any kind of garnishment requests?

 

[Zigner]

So one question does remain. What if this collection agency DOES decide to try and sue me? Would I have ANY defense (Since it would basically be my word vs. theirs)? Or would I have to try and work some kind of settlement beforehand to prevent paying the full amount and possibly having to deal with any kind of garnishment requests?

You had a contractual obligation and you failed to fulfill the terms of that contract. I don't see any defense.

 

[Datman07]

You had a contractual obligation and you failed to fulfill the terms of that contract. I don't see any defense.

Even if the intent was there but was told by them to do otherwise? Isn't that entrapment?

 

[Zigner]

Even if the intent was there but was told by them to do otherwise? Isn't that entrapment?

Ahh, what proof do you have of that?

And, "entrapment" has a totally different meaning which has no bearing on this matter.

 

[justalayman]

So one question does remain. What if this collection agency DOES decide to try and sue me? Would I have ANY defense (Since it would basically be my word vs. theirs)? Or would I have to try and work some kind of settlement beforehand to prevent paying the full amount and possibly having to deal with any kind of garnishment requests?

what does your original contract say to termination fees? What you were told verbally is not provable and is obviously being denied by others at Verizon so that leaves you with the terms of your contract.

 

[swalsh411]

Even if the intent was there but was told by them to do otherwise? Isn't that entrapment?

Prove it. Nothing you allege you were told verbally counts as squat against your contract. It doesn't make sense that you would think you wouldn't have to pay an EFT for canceling a particular service before the contract was up. Sometimes you can get away with not paying an EFT is the service is not available in your new location, but if that is not the case it fails reason why you would believe you wouldn't have to pay.

 

[tranquility]

I would like to put an end to this matter, but do not want to reward Verizon for their shady practices.

They have already been rewarded if the debt was "sold" to a collection agency.

Should I let the debt company try and sue me and then try to explain the situation in court?

Good thing is, you don't have to "let" them do anything! They can sue you all on their own. Will they win? Probably. But, it might be more of a proof issue than a legal one. Sure, there can be a waiver or some estoppel argument for the OP reasonably relying on the word of a Verizon representative. But, as swalsh411 mentions, proof is a difficulty. You do have the same rights and defenses against the holder of a sold debt as you would against the original creditor in court, so you can always make that claim. A cease and desist letter will force the collector's hands to either sue or let it lie. (Actually, resell the debt to another collector who will do it all over again.)

 

[Mass_Shyster]

But, as swalsh411 mentions, proof is a difficulty.

You can always request Verizon's "This call may be recorded for customer service purposes" recording through discovery. I wouldn't count on getting it.