Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Last January my 86 year old Aunt (who lived with me) fell and broke her hip. After her operation, she had to go to a convalescent hospital for physical therapy. She hated being there, so I called Comcast Cable and had the TV in her room hooked up so she could watch her favorite channel "Game Show Network". I went every day to see her, and watching the old game shows gave her something to do. But she just wasn't strong enough and sadly passed away about six weeks later.

So here is my problem-

The day my Aunt died, I disconnected the cable box at the convalescent hospital and took it home with me.

A couple of days later I called Comcast and canceled the account, paid what I owed, and turned in the box.

A couple of months later Comcast started calling me saying I owed them money, (they were still billing me every month) so I told them I disconnected and canceled last February when she passed away. They said they were sorry and they would take care of it. Any time I got a bill, I called right away, and was again told they would take care of it.

Now they sent me to collections, and gave me 14 days to pay or it will go on my credit report. Called Comcast again and was told I had to communicate in writing with the collection agency.


Asked on 10/08/09, 7:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Melvin C. Belli The Belli Law Firm

Immediately send a letter to the collection agency telling them you dispute the charges and demand that they furnish you proof that you do owe the debt. If you do that then they cannot legally report the debt on your credit record. After sending them the letter have a duty to investigate and if what you said is true stop bothering you. Unfortunately what will happen is that when you write the ltter they will probably fail to investigate it and simply pass your alleged debt off to another collection agency. By the way keep copies of all the letters you send and send them return receipt requested so you have a good paper trail.

Read more
Answered on 10/12/09, 11:17 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Credit, Debt and Collections Law questions and answers in California