SoFaithful Posted July 2, 2007 Report Share Posted July 2, 2007 I am actually asking this for a friend. My friend had a business account with Bellsouth. The statute of limitations has run out. She was approached by AT&T (after they bought out Bellsouth). She told AT&T about the old bill with Bellsouth. They, as well as Bellsouth, told her that Bellsouth had taken a writeoff on the bill and that the bill would have no bearing on her account with AT&T.She signed a contact with AT&T. The same day she got her first bill from them, she also got a notice from them stating they were going to disconnect here CURRENT line because of the old bill she had with Bellsouth. (Of course the fees of the original old Bellsouth bill have been severely inflated).It's hard for her to find out if she is speaking with AT&T billing, Bellsouth billing, or whom.She is in very good standing with the new account with AT&T. Switching carriers is not really an option for her.Can they turn off her service on the new account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsie Posted July 2, 2007 Report Share Posted July 2, 2007 I hate to say it, but she's probably going to have to pay that old debt in order to have an account with AT&T. A "writeoff" means nothing. It's an accounting term. The debt is still a debt and just because the SOL has tolled, doesn't mean AT&T can't deny service until it's paid. At&t, bellsouth- they are the same now.The CS rep that she initially spoke with probably had no clue as to how to handle that situation and wanted to make the "sale" regardless.IMOE- I had a old BellSouth debt that was included in my BK and was discharged. Although, I am no longer "responsible" for that debt- BellSouth, just 2 years ago denied me a phone line unless I paid that old debt, or I could have a phone line for a much higher deposit. I paid it- just to avoid any future problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFaithful Posted July 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2007 Hi gypsie. Thanks so much for replying....I hate to say it, but she's probably going to have to pay that old debt in order to have an account with AT&T...Although, I am no longer "responsible" for that debt- BellSouth, just 2 years ago denied me a phone line unless I paid that old debt, or I could have a phone line for a much higher deposit...Right, but they opened a new account with her without asking her to pay the old Bellsouth bill AND without asking for a deposit after she told them repeatedly about the old bill. What do you make of this?Btw, your site is too cute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blu Posted July 2, 2007 Report Share Posted July 2, 2007 If she signed a contract with AT&T after she told them about the previous debt, then AT&T should honor their contract with her. But look in the fine print. As for the other debt, it's still considered a collection. If AT&T has sold it to a CA, then I don't think they have the right to ask her to pay it off for her phone service to continue since they no longer own the debt. Someone please correct me if I am wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsie Posted July 2, 2007 Report Share Posted July 2, 2007 Hi gypsie. Thanks so much for replying.Right, but they opened a new account with her without asking her to pay the old Bellsouth bill AND without asking for a deposit after she told them repeatedly about the old bill. What do you make of this?Btw, your site is too cute!Thanks for checking out my site- I love it too!I think- whoever she spoke with- that set her up with the New At&T account should be held liable. Did your friend get the name of the CS rep that she spoke with? Unless the contract specifically mentions the old bill with reference to no bearing on the new account- then there's probably not much that she can do- except call At&t and argue her way to a supervisor. Hopefully, the person she spoke with made some notes on her account regarding the old debt.Now, if the debt is with a CA- then she should find out if the debt was sold or assigned. If it was sold- then At&t has no claim to it any longer and should not be attempting to collect.My old debt with Bellsouth never went to a CA after years of being unpaid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwwgeez Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 IMOE- I had a old BellSouth debt that was included in my BK and was discharged. Although, I am no longer "responsible" for that debt- BellSouth, just 2 years ago denied me a phone line unless I paid that old debt, or I could have a phone line for a much higher deposit. I paid it- just to avoid any future problems.It's all legal for BellSouth to ask for, and receive, payments that were included in your BK? Sounds like it is defeating the purpose of declaring BK! Isn't this going against some kind of BK or consumer law? Weird! awwwgeez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsie Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 It's all legal for BellSouth to ask for, and receive, payments that were included in your BK? Sounds like it is defeating the purpose of declaring BK! Isn't this going against some kind of BK or consumer law? Weird! awwwgeezI paid it before I found this forum or actually before I really started reading this forum, or believe me- I would have questioned it too back then, bygones now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleverCynic Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Been there... they absolutely WILL shut off the new account. Plus you'll have to pay reactivation if you call their bluff. It's terribly aggravating. The BK states they can't harass you or pursue you, but if you choose to do business with them you gotta pay it. BK won't require them to provide you with services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts