ATT Wireless ATT Mobility ATT Turns Current Monthly Bill into Collections Carol Stream Illinois

I was a customer of Att and had been for several years in October 2008, I decided to cancel service with them and go to Verizon due to better service and goverment discounts, In December 26 2008 Att sent me a bill for $550.24 for early termination for three phones. On January 18 2009 I called Att and informed them that I had been in the hospital for 7 days and would agree to immed. send them $ 300.00 and the balance within 3 weeks. The agent told me that she noted my account and this would be okay. As soon as I hung up with the rep. I decided to pay the $ 300.00 on line with Att using my debit card. (Confirmation No. Received) On February 4 2009 (Am) I as agreed paid the balance of $ 250.36 leaving a balance of $ .00,(Confirmation Number Received) On the evening of February 4 2009 A collection agency called me and demanded that I pay the balance of $ 310.85 and that the three credit reporting agencies have been notified of the refusal to pay Att. I then asked the agency why the difference in the amount due and she informed me that as a collection agency they are allowed by law to collect 18% above and beyond the balance due (there fee). I informed her that I had paid this bill in full to Att on this date and owe nothing, She informed me that I do and that my account was red flagged so the Credit Agencies will not remove the collection account from my record for seven years. I then informed her that I have a thirty day appeal period to dispute the account and she informed me that I did not. Please keep in mind that my bill was not due Until February 10 2009 and late fees would be applied after February 17 2009. I can not understand why ATT referred this account over to collections when 1.) I had an agreement with Att 2.) The bill was paid before the due date. 3.) ATT was and is rude to work with once I became a former customer. If you as a consumer are concerned about your credit as I am then stay away from ATT due to they seem to made there own collection policies. Please keep in mind that I had been a customer of ATT for 7 years and was never late on a bill. The early termination cost was due to I had purchased 3 new cellphones in July 2008 and they added two year contract to me (my fault I did not read the fine print) With ATT operating this way I can assure them they will continue to loose buisness.

Glenn
Apollo, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.