Getting the run around from Verizon and collections

September 1, 2009 12:04 PM

Who do I speak to at Verizon to deal with a charged off account? I keep getting sent from the collection agency then to Verizon and back.

In 2007, I was asked by my mom to be a cosigner for a verizon wireless phone. I had no idea it would mess up my credit. I don't have any information on the account and what actually happened other than I assume, no payment and still none. I was 20,21 and didn't know how dumb that was.

Now I'm trying to raise my score in order to get a mortgage. It's the only thing on my credit that would hold me back from gaining a few points. (I'm at a 612 and need a 620-640 at least) If I can get a letter from Verizon saying I can just pay this off and it will be gone then I'll be in business. I heard its hard but not that its highly unlikely. Who do I talk to about this? The debt is now with AlliedInterstate who says pay us now then go to Verizon then try to work it out. Verizon keeps sending me to Allied through an automated machine at the recovery dept. I was told not to pay collections so I don't want to make that mistake.

Verizon is reporting on my report monthly so I figured that's who I would have to deal with yet they keep sending me back to Allied. I don't plan to pay them but they mentioned that my debt would be going back to Verizon by the 5th of this month which would then be sold to a debt buyer, I wouldn't be able to pay a settled amount (I was offered half payment) and it would be on my credit for 7 years. I don't know much about this but I would like to not have to go through this much longer.

Is it possible to get this taken care of quickly, like by the middle of September? My living situation is becoming unstable and I'm hoping to try for my own place asap. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I can't but I would really like to since everything else is in line and my other option is moving in with my mom. I can do rapid rescore with my lender just need the paperwork and this taken care of.

I was told I could get settlement paperwork through fax, is that smart or should it all be done through snail mail?

I'm at a loss. My only other option would be to call and ask Citicorp to remove a paid off debt but I don't see that happening. I also posted this on creditboards but wanted to check information on both sides.
Any advice is needed. Thank you.

posted by grablife365 to law & government (6 comments total)

I can only offer one piece of advice: send everything certified. Do NOT fax. Send Certified Mail for every. single. piece of paper you give them. And always keep a copy for yourself.
posted by caveat at 12:08 PM on September 1

caveat, is that even if they want to fax me? I would assume yes but I'm wanting to make sure so I don't make any mistakes by agreeing to something.
posted by grablife365 at 12:10 PM on September 1

Are you still in Texas? Texas law is very useful when dealing with credit reports and debt collectors.

On creditboards, there is a very good thread about writing letters in Texas. Here.

I'm not at home, but I'll memail you with some more info later.
posted by mad bomber what bombs at midnight at 12:23 PM on September 1

I am still in TX. Thank you.
posted by grablife365 at 12:28 PM on September 1

If you have no information about the debt, the first thing you need to do is ask for validation of the debt from the collection agent. You generally need to do this within 30 days of being contacted about the debt.

Be careful about any promises by anyone to "remove" something from your credit reports. The credit reporting agencies are only obligated to remove inaccurate information from your reports and you may find that settling the account has little impact on your credit score - the account may simply be noted in your report as now settled or now paid.

Verizon itself might be prepared to accept settlement when the debt returns to them - but that's not helpful to you if you cannot come up with the settlement amount.

One thing you might wish to consider is the likelihood of this debt being taken to court. Remember that if a judgement is issued against you it can remain active for a very long time. As the debt is about to be sold to a junk debt buyer, this could present a problem for you.

Any applications you make for a mortgage are going to show on your credit reports. If I was a Verizon credit analyst, I'd be seeking judgement against you the minute the mortgage application showed up on your credit report, on the basis that if you can afford a mortgage you can afford to pay your outstanding delinquent accounts. You're not "judgement proof" in the accepted sense of the word if you can obtain housing finance.
posted by Lolie at 12:28 PM on September 1

The Consumerist is a proponent of the "executive email carpet bomb." That's usually used when a consumer is totally 100% in the right, and needs a company to listen. I'm not sure it would work in your case, but the article gives corporate email addresses, which might be useful to you in located a human at Verizon.
posted by Houstonian at 1:56 PM on September 1