Wildblue Excede Internet Return equipment scam Mississippi

I had Excede Internet using a satellite dish, until I had to move.  I did my due diligence to terminate my contract and updated my contact information since I was moving.  I requested a return material authorization with instructions to return the box.  They acknowledged my cancellation with an early termination fee charged to my credit card, and all was well.

However, they never called or mailed instructions to return the box. I didn't know if they wanted the box or if it was out dated. I was not worried since they had both my phone and po box.

Almost a year later debt collectors started harrassing me to send them nearly $400 for the box that I could not return. 

I don't know if this is a deliberate scheme to extract hundreds of dollars from leaving customers, or just incompetence.  Excede / Wildblue / ViaSat had two ways to contact me, but failed to do so.