Was it illegal for my cell phone company to ask for this information?
I’m doing battle with my cell phone carrier. I had a $242 credit on my account. Their new and “improved” billing system read it as a charge, and debited that amount AND the $250 for the real bill from my checking account.
I’m trying to get this fixed. They asked for a bank statement showing the debit. My bank faxed it over on their letter head. Then the cell phone company said they needed to see the balance before and the balance after the debit to “prove” that it actually debited from my account.
I had the bank send that, but the more I think about it, the balance in my account is none of their damn business.
In fact, the more I think about it, I think it may have been illegal for them to even ask to see it.
Anyone know anything about this?
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7 Answers
Why couldn’t they just look at their billing information and figure it out? It doesn’t make sense to me.
Keep a close eye on your bank account, It may have been a scam. (I hope not.)
I know. I don’t know what their logic was either @chyna. It had something to do with the fact that I demanded a check, not a simple credit to be applied to my NEXT bill. Which is going to fuck everything up AGAIN.
No, it wasn’t a scam. I contacted THEM. I’ve been with them for….a long, long time.
@Dutchess_III “I’ve been with them for….a long, long time.”
I know. Me too. My first cell phone was a dixie cup and string… all made of stone. Couldn’t get reception for shit.
This is why I am on text-to-pay rather than direct pay. They cannot charge my card without my specific response authorizing them to.
It’s always notoriously difficult to recover money after its already in their hands (and earning interest in their accounts.) they really have little motivation to settle it promptly. The longer they make you jump through hoops, the more money from interest accrues in their acct. if you multiply this by several hundred or thousands of other consumers falling victim to the same policy and you’re talking serious money.
Even tho they know that theyll have to return it eventually, the longer they stall, the more money they make. They really have no incentive to do else wise.
If I were you, I would file a report with whichever regulatory agency handles this type of thing in your state. Someone needs to light a fire under their ass.
I agree with @Buttonstc , I’d recommend calling your cell company back and telling them you’ll also be contacting the Better Business Bureau in your area. In my experience this generally gets companies to cooperate rather quickly.
They told me yesterday a check had been mailed out that day. I made them repeat “It was mailed out TO day, right?”
You are absolutely corrected, @Buttonstc. I am going to take it off of auto pay.
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