Consumer complaint received 2018-07-31
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: Credence Resource Management, LLC (LA)

Approximately 2.5 years ago, as I was getting out of a car, I accidentally dropped my cellular telephone ; the ( protected ) screen struck a concrete curb at a 45 degree angle, permanently destroying the telephone. I called XXXX XXXX XXXX to cancel my account with them. It should be noted I was not under any contractual obligations at this point, either ; I had ( what is known as ) " month to month '' billing. I was living in New Jersey at the time. My billing cycle was from the XXXX of the month to the last day of the month. When I called, it was several days prior to the end of the billing cycle. The representative tried vehemently to bargain with me not to cancel the account ; however, as I was resolute about this, I ( verbally ; again ) refused. ** It should be noted after this point, the representative became significantly less cooperative ( almost hostile ). I asked her what was the final amount due. She said she needed my 4 digit pin, part of a 3 step online login process they had at the time to look at my account, since this was how I ( and most people ) typically paid my monthly invoice ( online ). Unfortunately, I could NOT remember the 4 digit pin, and she told me she was not allowed to login without my pin ( this is part of the hostility ). I asked her again to PLEASE give me the amount due ( IF there was any ). Again she refused. I could not get any help via customer service, or online and since I did not receive a paper bill ( XXXX XXXX XXXX charged several dollars extra ) each month to do so, which has become typical these days. Therefore, to the best of my knowledge I was current with my account. After this frustrating telephone call, attempting to cancel my account, several days later I received an invoice, which was at least twice the amount I typically paid. I was being treated incredibly bad, especially when you consider my parents and I had been customers of XXXX XXXX XXXX continuously for over 60 years. It was as if I had never called the XXXX XXXX XXXX representative. In summary : She ( A ) did she not cancel the account, plus ( B ) billed me for another month, even though she knew my cellphone was broken and I could not use it ; ( C ) she knowingly did not attempt to help ; ( D ) She sent me an invoice for double the usual amount, and ( E ) XXXX XXXX XXXX turned this over to a collection agency, which is damaging my credit report. I had done everything I knew how to do to cancel the account, and all this occurred. Whatever happened to good faith? Now, I have a collection agency, calling me at XXXX XXXX  in the morning, and they are trying to illegally bargain with me the amount ( they claim ). Even if I did owe any amount, they are aware the procedure is to send me a bill offering a potentially reduced amount in writing. All this is incredibly frustrating. If anything is due, it is XXXX XXXX XXXX that owes me, for being a long time ( over 60 years ) and loyal customer ; plus I spent hours and hours of my valuable time trying to do the right thing. Worst of all, XXXX XXXX XXXX is treating me as if I am an deadbeat client, ruining my credit while doing so. Shame on XXXX XXXX XXXX.