Need Help..Qwest says the can turn off our Phone Service

[TryingInIdaho]

Hello All,

Last night we called our phone company Qwest to see if we could add long distance to our service (we have had service with Qwest for 2 years now). They told my husband that he had 2 unpaid phone bills 1 when he lived in Montana in 1997 and 1 when he lived in Idaho in 1999 and that if he didn’t pay them by Monday they were going to shut off our phone service. This is the first time we heard about this, we have never received any bills from the phone company or a collection agency and he can not remember any open bills with Qwest. We are to call Qwest credit department tomorrow. I think the statue is up, but I have read that an utility company can deny you service for an unpaid bill but can the turn off your phone service when you have had it for 2 years? If so can I put the phone in my name if they disconnect the phone ? I didn’t know my husband until 2000.

TryingInIdaho

[divemedic]

The SOL simply means they can't win in court aginst you. They may still do business with whomever they choose as long as they don't discriminate based on race, creed, color, sex or religion. (Also, I don't think they can discriminate based on whether or not you are receiving public assistance like welfare)

But AFAIK, they can refuse or cancel service based on past experience.

[lizandjerry]

I work for a phone company, and yes, you can turn the service on in your name if it gets disconnected, but only if your name wasnt on his account. Also, dont ask to re-use that telephone number, and don't even let them know why your turning it on. Just tell them you just moved in and your starting up service, because if they have any hints that your getting it turned on because your husbands account was turned off, then they can deny service (they'll think your trying to scam them).

Honestly though, I dont think they're going to turn it off, because you've had the account for two years and they've never informed you of the past due accounts. Also, it's illegal to disconnect if they don't give you a disconnect notice (even if it's an old account, they still need to let you know that your current line is in jepardy of getting shut off).

[codename_fortyseven]

not to commercialize things too much, but I'd check out the unlimited broadband phone services like Vonage or something else. MUCH less hassle, and a much lower bill.

One point I am not clear on: is this an unpaid QUEST bill they are alleging or just an unpaid phone bill from someone else. I think there is a federal statue on this Fair billing act? something like that.

[workinninetofive]

That would make me mad enough to call up a nationwide company and get service. Is QWEST nationwide? It takes a few days for the other service to kick in, and yes you can keep your number. But, when its nationwide and not local.. you have to have current service. So, in other words you couldn't call them up if it's disconnected. I like Talk America.

[TryingInIdaho]

Hello all,

Thank you so much for writing!

Lizandjerry, my name was not on the bill, as I didn’t know my husband in 1997 or 1999

My husband had to go out of town Friday, I tried to call them but they would not give me any info, as my name was not on the account, so we will see tomorrow if I have a phone.

bigcraig79, Is a broadband phone services like Vonage available in Idaho? This is an old Qwest bill, the statue is up but they can still turn off my phone.

Workinninetofive I’m not for sure if Qwest is nationwide or not, I’m thinking local.

This is a little that I found out. We have a company here in Idaho called IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, I’m not for sure if all states have one, but they are very helpful. What she told me is that legally we do not have to pay the bill as the statue is up but yes they could turn off our phone. She told me I needed to call Qwest a request a full-itemized bill showing all the charges broke down. She said according to the IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION laws, all we have to pay back are the monthly charges to keep our phone. That they CANNOT collect on any of the long distance charges. She told me to call her back after I receive the bills and she would go over them with me. She also said, like Lizandjerry that it is illegal to disconnect if they don't give you a disconnect notice. If I wake up in the morning and I don’t have phone to call her back and she will help me file charges against them.

I will keep you all posted on what happens.

Thank you all again for posting!!

TryInIdaho

[mzjazzyazz]

When I moved to this certain part of California where Frontier monopolized the area, they ran my name and saw I had a past SBC bell unpaid. (The same damn SBC I have been fighting with SBC and American Agencies about). Well, they made me put a deposit down equivalent to my unpaid balance with SBC. Now, you think since they call themselves "working together" that when I moved they would have gave SBC the cash, but they didnt, they gave it back to me. So, I think its just like a cell phone. They run your name and see how liable you are, and if they think its risky they make you put down a deposit. Now, I can't understand that if you have had service with them for this long, why in the hell are they making this past bill an issue, unless, it was with their company.

I owed SBC almost $300. I attempted to turn on service with them even after I knew I owed them money, just to see if they would catch it. THEY DIDN'T. Now if after 2 years a red flag came up, Im sure they would say PAY OR WE WILL DELETE.......LOL

[codename_fortyseven]

actually, vonage is not available there. Other servicers may be available there, though. It would be worthwhile to check them out. Just do a search for Voice over IP or VOIP phone service. They normally cost about 30-40/month for unlimited local/long distance.