Removing a "Valid" Debt That Was an Error

My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: New York

In June 2010 I signed up for Verizon DSL service. I was moving to a new house in July. They sent the self-install package and a paid bill to my current (old) house. I signed up for auto-bill-pay from my checking account.

After moving in I found the service was very spotty. We spoke with Verizon and they claimed we should have great service. Asking around the neighborhood the consensus was our neighborhood was on the edge of the range for DSL service and other people reported it never worked well for them and they switched to cable internet. After tolerating terrible service for several months I called Verizon to cancel in late November. They had the audacity to try to hit me with a $200+ cancellation fee. I negotiated that fee down to $64.01 based on the fact that the service frequently didn't work at my house. This was basically my last bill and a prorated bill as I was more than halfway through a billing cycle. I received an email, which I still have, that states "Your monthly Verizon Online charges have been submitted to your credit card company. This month's total charges are $64.01 and will appear on your credit card statement as a charge from "VERIZON*RECURRING" 12 days after the bill date. The monthly charges do not reflect credits or adjustments that may be applied prior to debiting. If you have any questions about your bill, you may contact a Billing Representative at 1-8005676789 Thank you for using Verizon Online services, Verizon Online Billing Services". I considered the matter settled, as I received a similar email each month for my auto-bill-payment.

Late last month I was applying for a American Express rewards card to take advantage of several benefits. They denied my application. As far back as I can remember my credit score has been 750 plus. I called for clarification and they claimed they were getting a score of 643. I ran several credit reports and saw an open item from Verizon in collections since 02/01/2011 for $64.01. As nearly a year and a half had gone by since I canceled my service I couldn't recall what this charge could be for. I called Verizon and after chasing it around they said it was for my DSL service. Looking into my bank account history I noticed that the money never actually came out of my account. I had more than enough money to cover a $64 bill at the time - so I have no idea what happened. Also, my wife handled our checking account back then. I received the notification from Verizon and I assumed my bill was paid as it had been every month previously. I asked why they never notified me or contacted me in any way regarding this matter. The person on the phone claimed they sent me 2 bills, one in late December and on in January before moving the account to collections. I never received one single bill or piece of correspondence of any kind from Verizon in my new house. I'm thinking they may have sent the bills, and perhaps collection notices, to my old house.

Either way I paid the bill immediately as it was a valid open charge. I would like to figure out how I can get this off my credit report. I was thinking of writing a letter to Verizon to get them to fix this error. I would have paid the bill immediately if I was made aware in any way shape or form that I owed the money. I never received anything in the mail, nor did I get one phone call regarding this issue.

Do I have any recourse here to get this off my credit report? Do you think it is worth it to send them a letter? What could I do if they don't respond?

I would like my credit rating restored, and frankly I am upset that this has happened due to an error. I admit, I should have been more diligent in balancing my checking account - but they sent me notification I had paid my bill and I never heard back from them that there was anything amiss.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks - Sunny

You can ask them to remove the report of a delinquency. I cannot promise that they will do so. Litigation? Costly and more complex than you may realize.

Did you ask about the email and why the charge did not go through? If so, what did they say?

I did, and the person on the phone had some lame excuse about it being my last bill and my last bill not being eligible for auto bill payment.

If you were submitting such a letter who would you submit it to? I have been a loyal Verizon customer for 13 years and I still am. I would like to attempt to play up the loyal customer angle.

If I write up a draft of a letter would you be willing to proof it for me to make sure I convey the correct tone - and perhaps a subtle hint of a threat of litigation? They may just remove it to avoid any potential hassle - although they may not care...

I also asked her if they sent the bills or any notices certified mail and what address they sent them to. To the first question she said no, and to the second she claimed she wasn't certain. My wife absolutely 100% would have opened any bills or notices and paid them immediately. We never received any such correspondence.