AT&T Wireless Customer Service

I have had the same personal cell phone for approximately eight years. More recently my service was handled by Cingular, which was then bought out by AT&T. Said cell phone broke in October and I've been paying my bill despite non-usage (I have a business cell that I've beeing using instead.)

I last paid my bill in late December 2007. I currently owe around $126.00. I arrived home yesterday to discover that my account was sent to a collection agency and the bill amounted to $455.

I called AT&T "customer service" and was told that I had two options:

1. Pay the $126 plus a $300 deposit to re-up my account.

2. Pay the entire $455 which includes the amount left on my contract and cancel the account (which is already cancelled, according to them).

All communication with customer service came to naught. I discussed with a supervisor and it only resulted in mounting frustration.

My next step is to complain to Randall Stephenson, the CEO. Beyond that I just intend to research every avenue I can to fight this.

Truly unbelievable. I believe that AT&T is attempting to extort money out of me, which is truly reprehensible.

Of course, this is coming from the corporation that routinely wiretaps Americans on behalf of the current Administration.