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help with reactivating account

mick the quick

Nov 27, 2006, 1:38 PM
Cingular has shut off the 3 lines on my plan. I made a partial payment on 11/8, then paid in full to current on 11/26. Now Cingular is telling me I need to pay a $300 deposit per line to have them reactivated. I don't have $300 let alone $900 to put down a deposit. I have elderly parents, and one is in the hospital. I've been breaking my neck and bank account caring for them. All of my other creditors have been more than understanding and cooperative in dealing with me over the last two months. What are my options in dealing with Cingular? I'm willing to set up auto-pay or whatever, but I desperately need two of these lines turned back on. How should I address the situation?

Please advise.
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ralph_on_me

Nov 27, 2006, 1:40 PM
If they're asking for a deposit then the lines were shut off for awhile. If your previous payment history was good they may be able to waive any deposit, but that doesn't sound like it was the case. The $300 deposit is either based off your credit score, or your payment history with the company.
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mick the quick

Nov 27, 2006, 2:02 PM
Shut off on 11/26. I went to the Cingular store in my city same day. The rep advised me to make a payment at the paystation, then she would call and have my lines reactivated. She made a call, then told me that "Cingular Financial" would only reactivate with the deposit. Why would they base it off my credit score? I've been a Cingular customer for a decade. As for payment history, there have only been the two late payments very recently.

Looks like I'll be looking for a new provider.
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chainsaw

Nov 27, 2006, 2:05 PM
were the lines susepended for non-payment or were they suspended for a while then cancelled?
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mick the quick

Nov 27, 2006, 2:38 PM
Non-payment I suppose. I had lapsed one month, but on 11/8 I could only afford to pay the past due amount. On the 26th, the lines were suspended, and I paid the full amount. Suggestions?
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ralph_on_me

Nov 27, 2006, 3:08 PM
So you could still make calls from the devices until the 26th?

If you've been a customer that long and have only had a few late payments recently I'd call in to CS and see if they can override the deposit. I know they can do it based on the account history.
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mick the quick

Nov 28, 2006, 8:04 PM
Thank you all for your advice. I spent 40 minutes on the phone with Cingular Customer Service, spoke to three different people, and eventually got my account reactivated w/o having to pay a deposit. I just kept explaining the chronology, my complaint, and asking to speak to a decision maker. It paid off. I will have to pay a $36 activation fee, but that's far better than a $300 deposit for me in my current situation.

Everyone I spoke to was courteous and patient. I have no complaints with the people at Cingular. The policies are a different story. I'll shop when my 2 years expire next August.

Thanks again for the help and support.
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chainsaw

Nov 27, 2006, 5:00 PM
That doesn't sound right. If the phones were active and you paid the full amount the day they were suspended the lines shouldn't have been terminated. Atleast thats how they operate in my market.
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nic_grenada

Nov 27, 2006, 2:47 PM
Yea, I think I would just tell them to shove all 3 lines "where the sun don't shine" and go to another provider. The early termination fees will be WAY less than $900 bucks. Sounds like you may have talked to the one idiot at the call center...or Cingular just doesn't want you as a customer anymore.. Either way... Business is Business. Its just a cell-phone. They aren't selling oxygen or anything. Good luck!
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sowhatsowhat10

Nov 27, 2006, 6:01 PM
do any of you lines show that they were billed etf's (early tem fees)?
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