I should know this, but are cell phones considered a utility, like land lines? There is, or at least used to be, a consumer affairs division in some states that functions like an ombudsman between the consumer and the utility offices. After experiencing chronic phone problems, I wrote a letter to the NY office and within days I had a call from the teleco's corporate office and the problem was finally resolved. Sorry I can't remember the name of the division, but it shouldn't be too hard to track down. Or, as others have mentioned, I would go to the AG. Good luck.

Not trying to say "I told you so" or anything, but this cannot happen to me because I have prepaid service. I think what we should all be trying to do is to move to a safer prepaid model that allows us to purchase just what we expect to use. That is, to the extent we should be accepting any level of service lower than unlimited calling in and calling out for a set monthly fee.

This really doesn't surprise me. T-Mobile customer service is on par with Sprint, which is tied with Kim Jong-Il in concern for customer satisfaction.

My just weeks old Blackberry crapped out, and they sent me a defective replacement, followed by another defective replacement. Their response was that they could replace my practically brand new $400 phone with a far less expensive, and incompatible model, or I could buy another one at full price. Great!

After explaining that I was not an idiot, and wouldn't accept their offer, they had me stop by a store to 'check out' my phone. The first address they gave me was actually for a Cingular store, a competitor. The second address was a kiosk in a mall which was staffed by an 18 year old kid, and did not have or sell any Blackberries.

[money.cnn.com]

I agree that this should be brought up to other authorities, but the real WTF is that the port is being blocked.

from [www.fcc.gov]

Very truly yours,

T-MOBILE USA, INC.
Jason Cook Executive Customer Relations

Hey Jason -- I have a question. How come T-Mobile is being so dickish?

@jamar0303:

Avoid Helio, the guy who runs the company is a scientologist who happens to own Earthlink.

Forget the BBB and small claims court. This has gone far enought to now include a claim for mental anguish and harassment. Find a lawyer who will take the case on contingency and structure the fee at 40% of the sum received over and above the already agreed to be paid ($1766).

A claim for $100,000 or more will get their attention.

@iEddie: Well, when I worked for disputes in Chase, they'll investigate, but for the most part if you give the company your cc number & TMobile can somehow prove it was you that authorized the payment, its up in the air. Unauthorized meant (when I was there) usually that someone fraudently (sp?) used your credit card or number without your permission. Even unauthorized is investigated. So, for this situation I would assume the best action would be to continue disputing this with TMobile...and court. Or, get a higher up on this, like ITSAME commented.

send them a Fair Credit Billing Act letter like YESTERDAY.

@cryrevolution: I thought there was a law in place that would force them to investigate the dispute? If you tell the CC company the charges are unauthorized then I believe they *have* to remove it. Am I correct?

The BBB is useless for disputes. You can put something so that people who actually browse through the BBB's site can see the red flags, but they aren't going to do jack for your problems.

Which goes to show you that as a consumer agency the BBB are just glorified record keepers. Just use them to figure out who NOT to do business with, and to lodge a complaint to warn future customers.

I agree with Buran... it's time to take it to court.

@iEddie: A lot of times that doesn't work with CC companies, as sometimes paying would mean you accept the charges. I would call the CC company first & let them know the situation & they can probably suggest something either way. Or sue the hell outta TMobile. :)

You could possibly pay the bill on a credit card, port your number to Sprint, and then dispute the charge on the card.

There's also no law against lying to the BBB.

I hate PR henchmen.

Oh, and don't pay up to keep your number if all that doesn't work. It's not worth it.

It seems that a lawsuit might be the fastest solution (based on what I know about this stuff, my opinion is worthless, though); it should be easy to collect the documents showing that T-Mobile said they would send a refund, and documents showing that you never got it. I would think that they are at least smart enough to offer a settlement. I guess the question would be whether you just go for the billed amount, or if you push for more due to damages, and since they deserve it.

@Pfluffy: Well, her account was also suspended as well as receiving that bill. So TMobile fully intends to keep pestering her to pay, even though they already called fraud on the acct., and said they would give her a refund. I agree with consumerist11211...it looks like TMobile is just not going to get it, so I would file a lawsuit in small claims court. Good luck, Motoko.

Did I read on this blog several weeks ago that anyone who tries to collect a false amount or money not truly owed by mailing a bill through USPS is committing mail fraud?

First I'd try to confirm that information and then go scream in my Attorney General's ear.

I suggest filing a lawsuit, that should sort it out quickly.