Reported to credit bureau for a digital cable box that I returned .....
My spouse and I had digital cable and high-speed Internet through Comcast when we were living in Maryland.
When we moved back to Michigan, we were told to return the digital unit or we would be charged $450.00
We shipped the digital unit to them on 2/21/03 through UPS (about 3 weeks after we moved), and got a detailed shipping receipt that outlined the items sent and the shipping insurance (it was sent through Mail Boxes, Etc).
The only catch was that my husband sent the package in his name (I didn't change my name until after we moved, and my maiden name was on the account) - he forgot to put my name as the sender instead of his, though we put my account information both on and in the box.
We then started receiving letters from a collection agency named CMI (in Carrollton, TX), stating that we didn't return the unit and owe $450.00.
I contacted the collection agency and Comcast, and sent them the proof of delivery (we got delivery confirmation through UPS tracking, and it shows the date, time, and who signed for it, and Comcast said there is a person working there by that name).
However, I heard no response from Comcast, and CMI sent a follow-up letter saying that the debt was valid (even though Comcast signed for the cable box and modem on 2/26/03).
Oddly enough, they haven't said anything about the cable modem not being returned.
This practice seems like extortion to me, especially since I fulfilled my end of the agreement.
I received no response from either party, so I filed complaints with the Maryland Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Better Business Bureau, so we'll so where that goes.
Amy
Oscoda, Michigan