AT&T, Debt Collection and Stationed Overseas

[BStubbs787]

My husband and I are currently stationed overseas. We have received phone calls from a debt collection agency stating that we are in debt to AT&T. Yes, my husband and I had AT&T before PCSing, but we put it on a Military Hold because we are on orders. The store allowed this. Now 2 years later they turned us over to a debt collector for the unpaid bills. When I called AT&T they stated who ever told us in the store that we could put it on a Military Hold gave us incorrect information (NOT OUR FAULT). A Military Hold could only but up to 18 months (we are on 3 year orders). I am not sure what to do next. It is on our credit report.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[nickdash]

My husband and I are currently stationed overseas. We have received phone calls from a debt collection agency stating that we are in debt to AT&T. Yes, my husband and I had AT&T before PCSing, but we put it on a Military Hold because we are on orders. The store allowed this. Now 2 years later they turned us over to a debt collector for the unpaid bills. When I called AT&T they stated who ever told us in the store that we could put it on a Military Hold gave us incorrect information (NOT OUR FAULT). A Military Hold could only but up to 18 months (we are on 3 year orders). I am not sure what to do next. It is on our credit report.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[nickdash]

My husband and I are currently stationed overseas. We have received phone calls from a debt collection agency stating that we are in debt to AT&T. Yes, my husband and I had AT&T before PCSing, but we put it on a Military Hold because we are on orders. The store allowed this. Now 2 years later they turned us over to a debt collector for the unpaid bills. When I called AT&T they stated who ever told us in the store that we could put it on a Military Hold gave us incorrect information (NOT OUR FAULT). A Military Hold could only but up to 18 months (we are on 3 year orders). I am not sure what to do next. It is on our credit report.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

What you need to do is first send a copy of your husbands orders to At&t collections department (fax & certified mail) requesting the account contract be only terminated for overseas deployment and that when you were stationed overseas your account should have been terminated due to no service in area. By LAW the telephone service can not continue service if your area of living does not provide proper service. They may argue that you should have initally contacted them and your argument is they are in Direct Violation of the SSCRA when they sent your account to collections. Its also in your best interest to send a copy of this to the 3rd Party Collection agency ALONG (VERY IMPORTANT) with "CEASE AND DESIST". The C&D should only be directed towards the Collection Agency. Then you need to send a copy of the amazing letter you wrote along with a dispute to the 3 credit reporting agencys.