I bought an iphone 5 through a 3rd party person and to make sure I wasn't buying a stolen or invalid phone I went to my local AT&T store to make the deal. The representative I spoke to checked the IMEI and told me that the phone was good. I specifically asked him if I would be charged anything by making it my phone and putting my number on it. He assured me that I would incur no charges by buying the phone. A month later I saw a "Telesales CPE Chargeback" for $703 on my bill statement. I called AT&T, they opened up a case, and told me they would call back in 2 weeks with an update. They never called, so I called them. Apparently they had closed the case and they never gave me a reason why. So I opened up a new case and they told me they would call me back within a week. Again, they never called me so I had to call them. This time they had to open up a new case because an incorrect case had been opened with the previous representative. They told me they would call back on a specific date. For the third time, they never called me. I called them back and this time the representative talked to his manager to figure out what was happening. I was told that the charges were valid because it's the risk from buying a 3rd party phone. Apparently the original owner of the phone disputed her credit card charges for the phone and didn't pay for it. She STOLE the phone and sold it to me. Now I'm incurring her debt. I have a bill for over $900 even though I did everything in my power to make sure I was buying a legal non stolen phone. I've been a loyal AT&T customer for over 10 years, I've never stolen anything in my life, and now I'm stuck with a stolen phone that I have to pay for. I don't understand how this is even legal. I originally paid $500 to the 3rd party seller at the AT&T store and now AT&T is charging me an extra $703 even though I was assured by an AT&T representative that I would not incur any extra charges. I've been lied to by the third party individual as well as the AT&T corporation. I need answers. How is the passing of debt to another person without that person even knowing legal? How come I am not allowed to return this stolen phone and get those charges removed? Why was I told that everything was OK with the phone and that I wouldn't incur any charges?
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