Cingular Wireless

In November 2005, I called Cingular to report a lost phone and to immediately shut off the service to that phone. Shortly afterward, I went into a Cingular store and opened a new account, explaining in detail what had happened. The sales clerk (in Vancouver, WA) said she would take care of the matter and opened the new account, assuring me that the balances from the old account would be transferred to the new account. Since that time, I have received statement after statement for the old number. I have called Cingular on numerous occasions and spoken at length with representatives, all of them assuring me the problem was solved. Then I would get another statement. I wrote letters and enclosed them with the statement and explained the situation. I still get statements and the account remained active. Last month I received a notice saying they would shut off the service if I didn't pay the past due amounts (amounts incurred AFTER I closed the account). I thought, Finally! Perhaps this will solve the problem since I can't seem to get them to shut it off. Today I received a notice saying the service was shut off and demanding payment of $181 and threatening to turn the amount over to a collection agency. I am at a loss about what to do. Can anyone offer any help? I am unable to reach anyone by phone at this time because of exceptionally long waits and because in the past it has been to no avail.

Peggy Ellett