cingular cell phone turned to collection agencies

Since you are in collections,they can call the full amount due.By threatening jail,they have violated law and would owe you money in a court of law.There are three links in my signature at the bottom of my post.Please read up on the relevant laws in the first two links and send the letter in the third link certified return receipt mail to preserve your rights.

Angl, follow cajun's advice. He knows his stuff on how to deal with the collectors. First make sure that the CA you are hearing from is authorized to collect on your account. Under the federal laws, they must validate the debt in writing before you agree to make any payment.

Just in case, have you checked the SOL of this account to see if it is still within the legal collection period? Collectors cannot take you to the court if the debt is past the SOL period.

Send this collector a debt valiation letter found in the do it yourself section of this forum. Re-write the letter to meet ur needs. Make them validate this debt for u first thing. Make sure to send it return reciept requested or they will more than likey deny ever getting it. (this is very important)
And you will NOT go to jail, that is an illegal tactic to scare u into paying!
Good Luck and keep us updated and ask any questions you may have
Ang

You need to send them a debt validation letter via certified mail with a return receipt request. These collectors often work on commission; their sole aim in life is to squeeze maximum money from you as they can. So, you have to question them the appropriateness of extra costs and debt validation letter gives you that opportunity. :D