i had an account with AT&T in the late 90's up til 2001. i bought the nokia matrix phone for $800 when it first came out and AT&T made me put down a $1000 deposit, which i did. the service blew in NYC, and could barely ever use my phone, but still every month my bill was $500-600. every month AT&T would call and say you should change your plan, and I did, but the bill was always over $500. i was making alot of money at the time so i just paid it everymonth. looking back they were so unethical.
anyway, in 2002 i realized they owed me $1000 for my deposit + interest, because i filled out a tax form when i put the money down. well after i closed my account i called them and got the $1002.00 back. i made 2 dollars interest during the greatest bull market in american history. anyway fast forward to 2006 and i receive a letter from Pressler and Pressler saying they represent Palisades Collection, LLC. i owe $396.00 so i call them and they said Palisades tried to contact me, which they never did. I paid the money right there on the phone, and it's been 2 months now and although Pressler has given me a letter saying it's been payed, I need one from Palisades, because they are the ones reporting this to the credit bureaus. Experian and co. wont accept the letter from Pressler, even though it clearly refers to AT&T and Palisades. So i call Palisades and when they finally get back to me, they said they will be able to send me a letter in 2 weeks, or march 13th, 2006. I've called them EVERY DAY since the 13th, (it'w now march 21)and left at least a dozen messages. The name when you call the place has changed in the past couple of days, it's no longer Palisades.
I threatened to come up to Englewood if i dont get a call back, and tonight someone called me and said allow 4-7 business days for a letter.
The bottom line is my credit score went from 700 to 598 in one quarter, and i havent missed a payment on anything since i was in college 13 years ago.
it really sucks because I am buying a house in 6 months. that's why i didn't even argue the money and just paid it on the spot.
It's amazing no one at pressler or palisades, or AT&T ever called me in the last few years this supposed debt existed. the lesson is, anyone of these chop shop companies can severely damage your financial life.