I expect that nobody from AT&T responds in any useful way on these forums, but I'd like to get advice from the community of customers on how to handle my situation.
For several years I had my wireless phone service paid for by my employer, who is a large AT&T customer. I left that job on June 1, 2016. My employer allowed me to take my phone number to a new provider, but in order to do that AT&T required that I first asume responsibility for my account. I did that via a phone call with AT&T on June 1. I wasn't given any account terms (not in writing, electronically, nor verbally), but I knew I would only have the account long enough to port my number away and would not use the service at all. I couldn't in fact, since the phone and SIM card associated with that account belonged to my previous employer and had been turned over to them on my last day.
On June 2 AT&T Wireless notified me via email that they had added a $30/mo data plan to my account. I called to protest since I had no ability to use this service and had not requested it. I had them suspend my service, to prevent the possibility of anyone using what used to be my phone with my account.
On June 3 I received my new phone and SIM card from another service provider and ported my number away.
On June 6 I called AT&T to ensure that my account was closed, and confirmed that it had no balance.
On June 11 I received a statement in the mail for $52.12. I called 1-800-331-0500 to discuss this, got transferred first to Finance, then to Customer Care. The woman I spoke with in Customer Care told me she could not see any billing details because my account had been closed, and stated that she was unable to help. She said I should pay the bill or AT&T would initiate collection activity that could damage my credit. She also said there was no other person or department at AT&T that could assist, so essentially it was a dead end.
In summary I had an account with AT&T Wireless for two days, which I explained to them at the outset was solely to allow me to port my number away. I made and received no calls or text messages and used no data. They now say I owe them $52.12. Other than paying this, does anyone have advice on how I can handle this? Is there really no person or department that can assist? Are there agencies I can complain to (FCC, BBB, etc) and will it make any difference?
Thanks,
MM