Fuck Verizon

Seriously.


This problem exists for a service I never even had. Verizon just skipped past that little bit of info and turned me over to a collections agency that's been calling my house constantly.

Complete idiocy under the cut. Names were changed to protect the incompetent and bitchy.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck those fucking fucks.

And the asshole hung up on me.

Chat Subject:Payment Arrangement / Final Billing

Your Question:I need to speak with someone in Customer Financial Services

A Verizon Service Representative will be with you shortly. To help us handle your request in a timely manner, please have your customer account number ready if available. Thank you.

Agent Verizon1 has joined. (10:39:32)

Verizon1 : Chat ID for this session is 08191392764. (10:39:37)

Verizon1(10:39:37): Thank you for choosing Verizon's chat service. You have reached the Payment Center. I will be happy to assist you today. Please provide me with only ONE of the following:
1. Verizon account number
2. Amount of your last payment (to the nearest dollar)
3. Exact amount of your last paid bill in full
4. A contact number you may have listed on your account, such as a cell or work number.

Customer(10:39:58): NUMBER REDACTED

Customer(10:40:47): I was recently contacted by a group called CBE who claimed they were collecting on a Verizon landline account for a past due account.

CBE had little information besides the amount due, a note that it was for a landline, and some association with closure of the account in March of 2013.

CBE also informed me that Verizon would refuse any of my attempts to gather more information.

I HAVE NEVER HAD A LANDLINE ACCOUNT WITH VERIZON.

I do have a cellphone account (NUMBER REDACTED) which is still activ

Verizon1(10:41:47): I'm not able to locate you account yet.

Customer(10:42:19): I have a current cell phone but nothing else with Verizon.

Verizon1(10:42:29): may i have your address

Customer(10:42:51): ADDRESS REDACTED

Customer(10:43:31): My former address was ADDRESS REDACTED

Verizon1(10:43:36): I see a final account

Customer(10:44:43): Can you please tell me what it says? The collection agency had no data except the charge and a note that this was a LANDLINE accoutn.

Verizon1(10:45:23): your account is with a outside collection so you will have to contact them on cell:8888924708

Verizon1(10:45:48): total balance is $115.71

Customer(10:46:08): I would very much appreciate your help in this matter, since Verizon never contacted me about a past due. May I reiterate: THIS CHARGE IS FOR A SERVICE I NEVER HAD.

Customer(10:46:19): I hope you are able to help me with this matter. The handling of this matter will materially affect my decision to retain Verizon as a cell phone provider.

Verizon1(10:47:14): I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. but the outside collection will be able to help you more then us cause the have the account.

Customer(10:48:43): They gave me the information I have given you. That is it. is there a supervisor I could speak with? Please connect me with someone IN VERIZON that can address this matter. I am being charged for something I didn't use, I was never notified, and now Verizon has turned this false charge over to an outside agency. THESE ACTIONS ARE NOT LEGAL. Please transfer me to a supervisor.

This session is transferred to Supervisor. (10:53:04)

Agent Supervisor has joined. (10:53:04)

Supervisor(10:53:09): Hello. My name is Supervisor, and I am a supervisor in Verizon's Financial Department. One moment please while I review your previous chat session and locate your account. Thank you for your patience.

Customer(10:53:41): Thank you.

Supervisor(10:55:46): Thank you for waiting. I am still working on your request and I will be back with you in a few moments.

Customer(10:56:10): Roger that.

Supervisor(10:57:55): H-----I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. Now that the account has been forwarded to one of our outside collection agencies, your records are at that agency and they are now handling all matters in regards to the account. You can certainly file a dispute with them on the balance. You may also contact our fraud department at 877-266-3424 to see if they are able to further assist.

Customer(10:59:07): Let me be sure I understand this. Verizon now has NO record of the account that they turned over to a collection agency? And the agency lists only a landline and a charge---when I NEVER HAD A LANDLINE with Verizon.

Customer(10:59:27): How exactly am I supposed to dispute a charge that has no explanation, no file, etc?

Customer(11:00:08): Is this really how Verizon runs its operation? False charges that a customer never hears about until a collection agency calls? Why did Verizon never contact me about this "landline" charge?

Supervisor(11:00:58): The service address shows :

ADDRESS REDACTED

Supervisor(11:01:23): The final bill was mailed out on 6/7/13.

Customer(11:01:23): Yes. I can confirm that was a former address. With no landline phone service.

Supervisor(11:02:03): I am very sorry. Unfortunately now that the account is with an outside collection agency, the only option I have is to set up a payment arrangement on the balance if needed.

Supervisor(11:02:33): If there is more detailed information you are needing on the account you will need to contact our Sales and Service department directly at 1-800-837-4966.

Supervisor(11:03:14): I am with the financial department to assist with getting a balance paid. I do not have the option to dispute or adjust charges.

Customer(11:04:24): Supervisor--these are not personal remarks. I appreciate your time. However, please note: I request that this matter be filed as a formal complaint with the appropriate section of your organization. This is more than an inconvenience---it materially affects my credit score. The fact that I have to do all the work to disprove something that Verizon now claims it has no record of is ridiculous.

Customer(11:05:04): Will Sales and Service have a record of this charge and details? Or will they tell me its with collections as well.

Supervisor(11:05:54): I never stated we didn't have any record, I have provided the information that I am able to see. If you need more detailed information you are needing on the account you will need to contact our Sales and Service department directly at 1-800-837-4966.

Supervisor(11:06:39): Thank you for using Verizon's chat service and making Verizon your company of choice. The department to which I have referred you will be able to assist you.

Your session is now closed.