Is this actually considered fraud?

[JonMarkTX]

Seeking legal interpretation for the state of Texas.

Wife and I recently moved out of a rent home that we leased for the last 18 months. When we originally moved into the home, we transferred all of our services, like normal. Apparently, the cable company decided to assign us a new account number rather than simply transfer services (we didn't realize this at the time since we didn't pay attention to the long account number). Now that we are moved out, the home owner states that this same cable company will not activate internet at the house because we owe a debt to them. When the home owner looked into it, this cable company reassigned THEIR account number to us, and recycled it back to them once we moved out. Therefore, this debt has mysteriously gone to their name instead of remaining in our name. The home owner now states we committed fraud by using his account number and accumulated debt in his name. This was unknown to us that the cable company used the same account number for both of us - but now the home owner is hinting at filing charges of fraud to get this debt off his credit report. Is this actually fraud? Can I be arrested? There was no intent to mislead, so I don't see how it can be.

 

[quincy]

Seeking legal interpretation for the state of Texas.

Wife and I recently moved out of a rent home that we leased for the last 18 months. When we originally moved into the home, we transferred all of our services, like normal. Apparently, the cable company decided to assign us a new account number rather than simply transfer services (we didn't realize this at the time since we didn't pay attention to the long account number). Now that we are moved out, the home owner states that this same cable company will not activate internet at the house because we owe a debt to them. When the home owner looked into it, this cable company reassigned THEIR account number to us, and recycled it back to them once we moved out. Therefore, this debt has mysteriously gone to their name instead of remaining in our name. The home owner now states we committed fraud by using his account number and accumulated debt in his name. This was unknown to us that the cable company used the same account number for both of us - but now the home owner is hinting at filing charges of fraud to get this debt off his credit report. Is this actually fraud? Can I be arrested? There was no intent to mislead, so I don't see how it can be.

Post quoted above has link removed. Your original post has been reported.

Why are the homeowners not complaining to the cable company?

 

[JonMarkTX]

Why are the homeowners not complaining to the cable company?

Apparently they did, and this is what the cable company told them - that the debt was in their name, and that when activated services at that location we only changed the name on the account but kept the same account number. Essentially, the cable company is blaming us for having the same account number. I don't see how they would allow that EVEN IF someone were to request to use someone else's account number. The home owner is saying that the cable company is who is saying that this is fraud on my part for using his account number.

 

[quincy]

Apparently they did, and this is what the cable company told them - that the debt was in their name, and that when activated services at that location we only changed the name on the account but kept the same account number. Essentially, the cable company is blaming us for having the same account number. I don't see how they would allow that EVEN IF someone were to request to use someone else's account number. The home owner is saying that the cable company is who is saying that this is fraud on my part for using his account number.

Because cable companies are known for screwing up accounts, I am actually not surprised this happened.

The cable account was in your name the 18 months you were in the rental? You paid the account from a bank account or credit card that was in your name? These payments showed up on your statements?

Here is a link to the fraud laws in Texas: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.32.htm

 

[JonMarkTX]

Because cable companies are known for screwing up accounts, I am actually not surprised this happened.

The cable account was in your name the 18 months you were in the rental? You paid the account from a bank account or credit card that was in your name? These payments showed up on your statements?

Here is a link to the fraud laws in Texas: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.32.htm

This is all true - everything was in my name, paid for by accounts in my name. The only thing that was [unknowingly] different was the account number. I'm assuming they use the same account number for a service location and not necessarily for a customer. But the question remains, why would the debt go to his name if they reassigned the account number back to him? Shouldn't the debt stay with me?

 

[quincy]

This is all true - everything was in my name, paid for by accounts in my name. The only thing that was [unknowingly] different was the account number. I'm assuming they use the same account number for a service location and not necessarily for a customer. But the question remains, why would the debt go to his name if they reassigned the account number back to him? Shouldn't the debt stay with me?

The debt probably should have been paid in full after cancellation of service but, if the final bill was not received prior to your departure, it should have been sent to you at your new address (or forwarded to you at your new address). The debt should not have been assigned to someone else.

I think you need to contact the cable company and talk to someone in a supervisory position. Explain the problem originated with the cable company and their assignment of the same account number to two different customers.

 

[LdiJ]

The debt probably should have been paid in full after cancellation of service but, if the final bill was not received prior to your departure, it should have been sent to you at your new address (or forwarded to you at your new address). The debt should not have been assigned to someone else.

I think you need to contact the cable company and talk to someone in a supervisory position. Explain the problem originated with the cable company and their assignment of the same account number to two different customers.

I think that using that wording will just confuse things further. That implies that two different people had the same account number at the same time. In reality this is an account number that the cable company has transferred back and between different people.

 

[quincy]

I think that using that wording will just confuse things further. That implies that two different people had the same account number at the same time. In reality this is an account number that the cable company has transferred back and between different people.

Possibly. He can describe the situation however he wants, to the cable company's understanding. I didn't really expect him to use my words.

 

[Whoops2u]

JonMarkTX did not commit fraud. He should have nothing to worry about other than paying off the bill. Not for anti-fraud reasons, but because of legitimate debt reasons.

If the facts are as related, telling others to pound sand does not seem a high risk move.

 

[HRZ]

Personally I think you need to politely tell your prior LL to go pound sand .

It's your duty to pay for services you received and you should take steps to get a final bill from the provider for same and to pay your bills ....

 

[JonMarkTX]

I've contacted the cable company and took care of the remaining balance (it was an equipment charge I was unaware of, which is why when the landlord contacted me about it, I was in shock and didn't even know about it - so I denied having it). After getting that settled with the cable company I sent the landlord the transaction ID # and screen shot the credit on the account for the amount in question. At the end of the day, it still seems to be a screw up on the cable company's behalf by reassigning the same account number ... When I login online it has that number, that service address and my name .. yet when I called them, the same account number and service address is only associated with the landlord's name and not mine. Therefore the old charge got transferred to his name.

Either way, I feel that by going ahead and paying that equipment charge I've washed my hands of this situation, and now it's between the landlord and the cable company to straighten the rest out. I just wasn't too pleased to have him strongarm me by insinuating that I intentionally committed fraud by using "his" account number.

 

[quincy]

I am happy that all seems resolved. Thank you for the update.