AboutSpencer Holcombe Expertise I have been in the telecommunications arena for several years. I've worked in traffic,installation,repair,customer service,fraud,national and major accounts. I Started with Pacific Telephone,went to American Bell, AT&T Information Systems, AT&T Communications, Pacific Bell-SBC - AT&T. I can answer most questions of a service or equipment nature-excluding cellular. From jacks, wiring, phones, to custom calling services, local to long distance.
Experience Bell System and post divesture work for AT&T and Local operating companies. Service rep-to Fraud desk.
Organizations Telephone Pioneers of America
Publications PTM mag. Connections, Update, and other company publications. Also have expert status at AskME.com
Question Hi Mr. Holcombe,
First of all, I want to thank you for answering my question. I used T-Mobile as my cell phone service provider. I lost my cell phone in early May 2005. Since I had to go out of the country for 2 weeks, I called T-Mobile and requested a longer time for me to replace the cell phone. At that time, the representative told me that my contract has already ended and I could terminate the plan if I wanted. Also I was told that my balance was zero and I didn't or wouldn't owe anything to T-Mobile when I terminated the plan. Last week, a guy called me from T-Mobile and said that I owed them $220 for the balance remaining on my account and the early termination fee. As I was telling him my situation on the phone, I could hear him reading the notes that the plan was terminated with 0. But then I was told there is no indication from the record saying what I was told previously about termination the plan with 0 balance. I requested to review the recorded phone conversation and they said they don't have it. And they said they would ask a 3rd party collector to collect the money. What can I do?
Sincerely,
Ivy Yu
Answer Ivy, I'm sorry, I don't handle mobile/cell phone questions. If it was me, I'd contact T-mobile, ask for a detailed bill, and WRITE to them explaining you were told your account was at a zero balance, and thought you had ended your service then. This sounds more like a typical billing error rather than fraud, but keep copies of ALL contact with the company. You can request a copy of anything placed in your credit report if it goes that far, but my guess is after receiving your letter and reviewing your account, T-mobile will clear the charges, if not, you can always take them to small claims court. Good luck, Spencer
