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George,

It sounds as if MTN-Syria didn't come through with what they promised and that AT&T is holding you to your original AT&T contract. Once you change the SIM card you were getting MTN-Syria local phone service AND you still had AT&T coverage. If you didn't get anything in writing from AT&T when you made the switch to MTN-Syria, I'm afraid that you may not be able to get AT&T to further reduce you bill.

Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

-- Contributed by: SusanWeber

To whom it may concern:

I would like to introduce myself, my name is George Nadour, and this is my story about an outrages phone bill I received by AT&T phone company when I came from visiting my family overseas after 3 years of separation.

The story begins when I went to Syria on vacation on July 13th 2008,

Soon after my arrival I went to a phone company , named ( MTN- Syria) and I asked them is there any way I can use my (I phone) as a local phone without being charged for rooming by AT&T since many of my friends did the same thing before. Indeed, they unlock my phone and switch my SIM card to local one and MTN Syria sign has appeared on my screen. I was charged total of 300$ for 600 minutes. I did ask them if I need to call AT&T to confirm it, but they assured me that my cell phone works as a local phone and there is nothing to worry about. What made me feel confident that each time I dial a number I hear their greeting before the conversation. Also I was told when I run out of minutes, I just can dial 1818 number and buy as much minutes as I want. Therefore, I start using the phone and in my mind itâ€™s now a local phone. Unfortunately, I had a tragedy in my family and I used the phone more than usual. When I arrived to U.S on Aug 29th 2008, I was shocked to found out that my phone bill was $ 3645.21 â€˜I almost had heart attack and who does not?â€™ Immediately I contacted AT&T customer service to ask for an explanation and I could not get a straight answer. They kept transferring me to a different department every time and each time a different person. Every call I spent more than 30 minutes trying to explain to them what happened exactly while I was overseas. Finally, after many attempts they did reduce the bill to $1959.06. Despite this reduction, the amount was still extremely high and with my limited budget as a student who is on financial aid and without a permanent job, I tried to contact them again and see if they can reduce the bill furthermore, but without any positive response. Meanwhile my wife canceled her line and I was charged 175$ along with the monthly charges of my cell phone despite the fact my line was disconnected. So now I have in addition to the previous pill another 260$ added on, to bring the balance to a total of 2301 $.

By the way I told them how come AT&T suspended my phone line on July 31th 2008 and I still using the phone without any trouble, usually when the line is suspended you canâ€™t dial, received, text from your phone while me I did, I said it doesnâ€™t make any sense to me could you explain that to me. They said well that impossible to happen. Well either I got deceive over there in Syria or I am getting deceive over here by AT&T because until now it doesnâ€™t make any sense so far about cutting the phone line so I cannot use it, but I did still use it with MTN Syria network. The last time I was talking to them they said we canâ€™t give any more credit back for this bill, you have to pay for this bill or you know the consequence from not paying the bill. I told them first of all, I am a student and I am under financial aid for my school, I live with my brother and I am not working, I canâ€™t afford it and there no way I will pay for something I got deceived for it. After I did call them today Oct, 7th 2008 and I told them I want to cancel my service with you guys because I donâ€™t see any more help from you anymore and I am also getting charge for monthly service without using the line, they said we canâ€™t cancel this service right now and we canâ€™t give you a confirmation number we have to wait until Nov 4th 2008 for the end of billing date. I think they are going to add a cancellation fee and new monthly service to my account which is I donâ€™t know how much it is going to be. I never ever have this issue with another company like that and I always pay my bills on time and I donâ€™t have late payment on any of my credit card. I hope you can understand the whole situation and trying to help me resolve the issues.

If you need any further information, please donâ€™t hesitate to contact me at [phone number deleted]. I will be willing to provide you with any do...entation will help you to solve my case.

Thank you and have a nice day. [name deleted].

Any help guys.. thanks

-- Contributed by: George

Ines,

If you are not able to pay the full amount that you owe, you should send the collection agency a letter and set up a payment schedule. Tell them how much you will pay each week. You can also tell them in the letter to not contact you by phone. Keep a copy of the letter for your files and send the letter by certified mail so that you will receive a receipt from the post office showing when the letter was delivered. They will try and insist that you pay the entire amount, but hold your ground and tell them you that this is the only way you can pay off the debt. Even if you can only pay a little a week, the collection agency would rather receive a consistent payment, even if it is a small amount of money. Make your payments by check sent by certified mail so that you have proof that you are making the payments. Or, you can arrange to have your bank transfer a specific amount of money out of your account each week and send it to the collection agency. The key is to communicate with the collection agency in writing, set up a payment schedule, make the payments on time and have record of what you agreed to do and to show that you made the payments.

-- Contributed by: SusanWeber

Hi, I am looking for some advise. I moved out my apartment and broke my lease for financial difficulties. I didn't have the money to pay anymore I had to move back home. They sent the bill to a collection agency. I hear from them first by phone....have not even sent me a letter with a bill. I haven't even received a bill from my apartment complex. The next day after the phone call I receive the collection letter..for a very large amount. I moved because I can't pay to live at the apt. complex. Any advise? Thanks.

-- Contributed by: Ines

Christy,

You should contact your collection agency and talk with them about a payment plan that will work for you and for them. Be sure to follow-up any telephone conversation with a letter so that you have something in writing showing that you are trying to pay off the debt. There are specific laws that the collection agency has to follow. These laws are discussed on the Federal Trade Commission website. A link to the website is included in the above article.

Thank you for your question and for visiting LoveToKnow credit cards.

-- Contributed by: SusanWeber

what if you send a payment to a collection agency and the don't accept it because they say it's not enough. and send it back to you.

-- Contributed by: christy
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