What is a Cease and Desist Letter?

The Cease and Desist Letter simply notifies the creditor of the violation and requests that they cease contacting you. It also gives you a form of evidence if you have to sue the collector. You are able to file a lawsuit within one year of the violation. If you win, the collector may be ordered to pay you up to $1000, and reimbursement for attorney’s fees and court costs.

First though, you will need the collection agency’s information. It is a good rule of thumb to get this information at the beginning of the phone call. You need the name of the person you are speaking to, the name of the collection agency, and an address and phone number and the account number they are calling about. Also, keep a journal next to the phone and log what time the creditor calls and the exact dates. Try to obtain as much information as you can regarding the account and the creditor.

Sample Cease and Desist Letter
Date
Your Address
Cit, State and Zip Code

Collection Agency Name
Collection Agency Address
City, State and Zip Code
RE: Account #___________
Original Creditor_____________

Dear Collection Agency:

Your company contacted me on _____ regarding a debt. I request that you cease and desist immediately in your efforts to collect on the above referenced account. It is my personal policy to not deal with collection agencies and I will only deal with the _________ (state original creditor) at this time.
You are hereby instructed to cease any further collection effort immediately or face legal sanctions under applicable Federal and State law.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Include in the letter the alleged violation along with dates and times that it occurred. In this situation, the more information you can provide regarding the collection calls, the better. For example, for calls that occur before 8 or after 9, include “I have received X number of calls after 9 p.m on the following dates from your company, which is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act”

If you are disputing that the debt is yours, state in the letter that you do not believe you owe the debt that they are contacting you about. In this example, you will also need to request in the letter that the collection agency provide you with what you owe the money for, how it is calculated in a way that you can understand, copies of papers where you agreed to pay, a copy of a judgment (if any), identification of the original creditor (if you don’t have this information) and a demonstration that the collection agency or company is licensed in the state you live in, along with the license number.

Be sure to copy the letter before sending, and mail it certified and return receipt requested. This will either stop the bill collector from calling you, or will result in the proof you will need if you proceed with a lawsuit. Most often, considering the cost of going to court and the possibility of losing a lawsuit, a cease and desist letter will be sufficient in stopping the phone calls.

For example, the cards I have that currently have the highest APR’s are Orbitz (23.9%), Hooters (21.45%), Target (25.24%) and Best Buy (22.99%).

First of all, I have to admit that I wasn’t completely aware that these particular cards had such outlandish interest rates. Which is a grave mistake to make if you’re trying to clean up your credit. You have to know what you’re paying. I knew that Hooters was pretty high and Target, just because it’s Target. I did not really know Orbitz and Best Buy were though, which is another reason to keep a spreadsheet of your credit cards.

The good news is that the Target card and Best Buy card have the two lowest balances, so essentially the Snowball Method would work. I could pay those off and then “snowball” those monthly payments onto the next lowest balance. BUT, the next lowest balances, are the lowest APR’s on my list of credit cards which are Capital One Platinum (13.99%) and Juniper (15.99%). So paying in order by highest APR is not always going to work with the Snowball Method.

I think instead, I’ll go to the next credit card with the highest APR as these are not only ridiculous but a large chunk of money. The two very lowest APRs are the Chase cards that I’m on the Hardship Program with. Part of the agreement with them is that my APR would be lowered to 6.00%, but the cards are closed. I’m not even fiddling with those at the moment because the payments are taken directly from my bank account and aren’t costing me as much in interest as a couple of the other cards. I also have to keep in mind that my debt to credit ratio has to lower to increase my credit score, which means I need to pay down the cards with the high balances.

Something else I’ve realized is that after bankruptcy, you may be stuck with some pretty crappy cards that require a lot of fees and are at the bottom of the credit card food chain. Even though I waited and avoided those cards, I still ended up with a lot of cards that are not much better than the bottom ones. Yes, they’re unsecured and no they don’t have additional fees or annual fees, but all in all, they’re still pretty crappy credit card deals. I would advise bankruptcy filers to hold out for the best cards with low APRs, which you can get…it  just takes a little time and patience. Once I get these paid down, I may try for some better credit cards but as far as bad deals and extreme interest rates go, I’m pretty much done with them.

1.  Chase Bank

Yes, I hated Chase Bank. Yes, I said they raped me because of the credit limit and interest rate slam. But that was yesterday and all I can do is move forward. I am still paying the monthly payments that were set up as part of the Hardship Program and even added the other Chase card to the program as well. The card was already closed and it doesn’t affect my credit score negatively; in fact if you’re having problems paying your bill I would actually recommend a Hardship Program. It lowered my interest and payments and the balance owing on the second card was actually lowered as well.  So although we’re not dating, we’re at least friends. Not BFF’s but at least I don’t break out into a rash when I think of them.

2. Canceling Satellite

I still think canceling Dish Network was a great decision. I’ve saved $70 a month for quite a while now (almost a year) and have lived just fine on DVDs. I will admit that once in a while when at my parents’ house or a someone else’s normal homes, I do miss cable television shows. Never enough to add it back though and pay the monthly fees.

3. Canceling the Land Line

What land line. I’m about to throw away the land line phone actually because I don’t ever plan on having one again. Saved at least $30 a month and this I can say I don’t miss it at all. In fact, I will go as far as saying that I think land lines in homes will become a thing of the past. Cell phones are more than capable of handling phone needs. It almost doesn’t make sense to have a phone at home AND a cell phone. I never did try a pay as you go phone, which would probably be cheaper, but since getting the iPhone I’ve become way too reliant on it to change anything.

4. Savings

I am still adding money every month to my savings account with ING. Ever since they had that contest that I didn’t win and I signed up for the automatic monthly transfer, the savings has been growing. Let me tell you, even though I forget about it, when I do think about that savings account it feels good. Knowing that you are saving instead of wishing you would each month is almost as awesome as finding free money. Almost but not really.

5. Debt

Things are getting paid off so I can see a light at the end of the financial tunnel. My medical bills are almost paid down as well as the dental bill (after setting up payment arrangements and asking for discounts). My credit cards need more work but I’m paying those down as well. Nothing is in collections and nothing has late payments so my credit score is well on its way back up.

Other News

I bought a pair of tall BearPaw boots. Kind of a cheaper version of the Uggs that I wanted, but now that I have them I don’t even want Uggs. These BearPaw boots are awesome and comfy and the warmest boots I’ve ever had. I can wear them with leggings and not freeze to death even though I live in American Siberia. I’m considering getting some for my daughter also.

I’m back in school to finish a couple degrees. I need to not only reduce my debt, but I need to make more money as well and furthering my education can only help. I know what you’re thinking. School loans are going to bring me back down into a black hole in a few years. I plan on having everything in order by then though so all I have to focus on is the school loans. I’m confident it’ll be okay.

Am I still bankrupt? I pay my bills, I feed my child, I’m happy, she’s happy. Yeah, I am kind of still bankrupt but I really can’t complain. It’s getting better for us and it’ll get better for you.

Really.

You know it isn’t a statement because it isn’t thick with ads and miscellaneous sheets of paper. You suspect it’s notifying you of change that is most likely unfavorable (to you). In the last year, I have received many of these from Chase Bank, beginning with the jacked up interest rate and continuing to the decrease in limit to the “Congratulations! We’re now closing your account loser!”

Well, even though Chase Bank and I have made up, I was still afraid that somehow the mail had brought me bad news. Like maybe another credit card was going to rape me. Or maybe Chase Bank changed their mind about the hardship plan I had set up with them.

Fortunately, the letter began with “We have good news for you!” So I have to thank Chase Bank for reversing the heart attack that the envelope had initially inspired. In their words:

…Your recent payments have qualified your credit card account for our Reage Program and it’s no longer past due. As long as you pay the minimum due each month on your current balance, you will enjoy these benefits:

• no late fees;
• updated credit record to reflect your account is in good standing; and
• no collection calls…

First of all, whoever wrote that form letter was pretty much a genius. The way that it is worded kind of made me wonder if I had actually won something.

So What is the Reage Program?

Since I was pretty sure I hadn’t won anything, (they love me and we made up, but we didn’t actually get married) I decided to go forth and figure out what exactly the good news is about Chase Bank’s Reage Program.

First of all there is a difference between a reaged program like the one with Chase Bank, and the other, which is when people refer to collection agencies “reaging” an account to change the initial delinquency date so the statute of limitations on collection doesn’t run out. If a collection agency does this, it is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and should be handled completely differently (for starters, congratulations wouldn’t be nearly as appropriate a greeting).

The Reage Program with Chase Bank (or any other credit card company) however, simply means that they will remove the negative history and give you a clean entry on the credit report. In most instances, the account will be removed from the “adverse account” list and noted as “closed by consumer” which of course is better than “closed by credit grantor”. Unfortunately, it will not wipe off any previous late payments, but who can expect that? If your payment was late it was late.

So, it may actually seem like a minor change to an account that I’ve been tussling with for the last year, but it’s good to know it’s being resolved, and in not such a negative manner.

I will check my credit reports next month and let you know exactly how everything turned out.

On another note, regarding the dental bill I was bracing myself for, I did find out that my daughter’s medical insurance includes dental which will cover a lot of the expenses. I use the term “a lot” even though I have no clue, but going from anticipating full payment from my pocket, to whatever the insurance pays, to me is a lot. I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
–Walt Disney

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Some Things in Life ARE Free…Really

First, I always use www.annualcreditreport.com because it is an automatic credit report from all three credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) every year for free. Everyone is entitled to a free report once a year, no hassles, no hidden fees. Free.

There are other ways to receive a free credit report, for instance if you have recently been denied credit.  I also read an article at CNN Money today which mentions that companies that offer those other types of “free credit reports” have to disclose that it isn’t actually the annual free report that you are entitled to and that it may be a part of a promotion or marketing for a service or product that costs money. This part of the new CARD act of 2009 will hopefully save a lot of people from getting duped into buying extra credit monitoring services and products just to get a “free” credit report.

The Monster was Quite Friendly, Actually

Anyway, it was to my great surprise that my credit reports aren’t as dismal as I anticipated. There is one medical bill ding on there that I can take care of easily within the next couple months, and one error that I will dispute online immediately. (By the way, 4 out of 5 credit reports have errors which can include anything from accounts that aren’t yours to incorrect amounts owed.)

The only other big problem on my reports was the utilization ratio of my debts. I could see that I need to work harder at paying them down. It doesn’t help of course that Chase Bank dropped my limit on one card to the amount that was owed. Having maxed out cards, or a high utilization ratio (large debt to available credit) can harm your credit immensely. I have paid down 3 small store cards and will continue to pay down the rest using the snowball method.

Hope is Inspirational

These are the only things I need to fix on my credit report, which surprised me quite a bit. Setting up the payment arrangements and making payments is not only getting things paid off but keeping my credit reports a little cleaner than I thought. Well duh…I hear you all saying. But, until you actually take a look it’s difficult to actually see that your hard work is helping. Or in this case what I don’t see (negative items on my credit reports) that have given me hope.

Not perfect by a long shot, but will be soon. Thanks for reading and in a way keeping me focused and accountable.

Have a great weekend and a fantastic family filled Easter!

If you remember, I posted a while back about My Deadbeat Television, meaning the expense that wasn’t pitching in around the house. We still only watched two or three channels and even with knocking loads of extra expenses off, my bill was never lower than $60 a month. I’m sorry. SpongeBob and Food Network are not worth $2 a day, even if for some odd reason we watched them 24/7. I’d gladly pay what they’re worth and to me, that’s about $5 a month. Total. Or like a nickel per use, which would be about $1.50 a month (again, if we watched it every single day). That’s my deal, they can take it or leave it.

My contract was up in February I think and I hadn’t paid my bill in over a month. No real reason except that it kept slipping my mind and I usually call when they threaten to disconnect and pay over the phone immediately. This time I didn’t though. I called and asked what I needed to do to cancel the service.

CSR: You have a balance of (whatever he said). Will you be paying with check or credit card?

Me: I’m not paying that right now. I just asked what I need to do to cancel the service.

CSR: Hold on, I’ll transfer you to cancellation.

Couple seconds later, same rep. “We’ll cancel it now and you’ll be credited (whatever amount he said).

Me: What? Wait. I didn’t install the dish, I have no idea what I need to do.

CSR: We’ll send a box with instructions.

Me: What about fees. What will I have to pay?

CSR: Just the amount you owe or it’ll go to collections.

Drumroll please.

And the Award for Most Unhelpful Person on Earth goes to… Mr. CSR from Dish Network.

I emailed with more specific questions and still haven’t heard anything. Apparently they don’t care that I’m canceling, but again it’s the same concept when you break off any relationship. After the phone call and the unanswered email I’m not looking back. The one thing that kept me on the fence was the fear that once I canceled the service I’d realize I was missing something I really needed. Unfortunately, even if this did happen, I would go somewhere else. Definitely not Dish Network. Well, unless they agree to the $1.50 a month package that I suggested. Then we can talk.

The truth is, we only think we need things like satellite television because they’ve always been there. I’m guessing it’ll be a lot like when I canceled the land line. I’ll miss it occasionally, but I think I might enjoy the extra $60 a month.

Three Things I’ve Figured Out:

1. Apparently I associate dating with utility bills and credit card companies.
2. I have broken up with Qwest (landline), Chase Bank and now Dish Network.
3. I should be dating people and not utility companies.

It’s a good feeling, though. Here’s to saving money (and finding relationships that are worth it).

My biggest problem, of course was keeping track of everything. I’m eternally wondering if I’ve paid something, if I forgot to pay something or if I’m going to forget to pay something. Unfortunately, not paying or paying late isn’t an option for me on the medical bills, because this could result in voiding the payment plans or discount I’ve received on the bills. I definitely can’t afford to let that happen.

Tips for Keeping Payments Organized

Keep a Calendar: Whether online or printed, a calendar with big enough spaces to write when things need to be paid helps out a lot. I prefer printed calendars, and for a while even used just printed pages of each month of simple Word program calendar pages. Now I’m trying out a small monthly pocket calendar, but I think the daily spaces are too small for the things I need to keep track of.

Keep a Notebook: Even if you happen to be uber organized and file your statements religiously in the appropriately tabbed folders, it is still nice to have a notebook with account numbers for utilities, phone numbers, and other contact information. I wrote everything down in a small notebook that I carry with me today, while on the phone with each facility. Let’s face it, we aren’t always at home next to the filing cabinet when we need that information.

Keep Envelopes and Stamps Handy: This may seem strange because almost everything is accessible online now. Who still needs envelopes and stamps? I do, that’s who. I have one bill that does not accept payments online or over the phone and for this reason gets forgotten quite often. It does help to have the supplies I need right with me so I can write out the check and send it out while I’m sitting in the car or at work. My electric bill, for example does accept online payments but costs I think 3.95 to pay that way, which I won’t do. Paying online is convenient and nice, but I won’t pay anything extra for it. So, that bill has to be mailed in as well.

With all of the iPhone apps available, I’m sure there are pretty cool apps that can probably handle all three of these tips. I happen to not have an iPhone yet, though it’s at the top of my list of things I absolutely, really want and will starve for. There are also a number of computer programs that will regulate everything for you, but I don’t always have access to my computer. This, my friends, is why I carry around such a big bag (dubbed my “suitcase”) by many that know me. I need everything in that bag. Okay, maybe not the empty gum wrappers and Barbie sunglasses, but this is how I remember and keep track of my bills.

What do you do to help keep your bills organized? (And don’t worry if you’re using a method from the 90s, I’m still dragging around notebooks and stuff…)

I know things haven’t been right with us, especially after I wrote the blog post claiming I was being raped by credit card. Our relationship has resembled a crappy high school relationship in a lot of ways. You don’t like listening so I doubt you’ll get it. Well, after a long, more stressful than a boyfriend relationship, Chase Bank, you and I are friends again…kind of.

So here’s how I think it happened and granted this is through the eyes of a disgruntled cardholder. I knew we were done when I began rejecting your phone calls. It’s not like I enjoy hitting the “reject” button everytime one of your representatives calls me. I did it for your own safety, because I honestly felt like talking to one more person would result in a headline similar to “Girl Chokes Someone at Chase Bank”. I mean, when I was with Washington Mutual before you, I was the most loyal cardholder on earth. It seems that when everything changed to Chase Bank all hell broke loose. Why would you raise my interest rate to 28%? If you were resentful of my previous relationship with Washington Mutual you should’ve said something.

Then, to make matters worse, you canceled my card. Fine. I didn’t want to tell you, but because of my journey to becoming financially intelligent, I stopped using it and was planning on leaving you one day anyway. Everyone, and I mean everyone suggested that I call and work something out, (ie beg you to come back), and I did. After all, you’ve always been cool with Mom and Dad. So, I called to ask that you drop the interest rate. I called to see if there was anything I could do to fix what had happened.

Nothing.

In the meantime, you raised my monthly payments to around $170.00 which I could not pay. What kind of unfriendly crap is that? So after you kick me you want to punch me too? I don’t know if you know, but Chase Bank, I’m a girl. You’re not supposed to punch and kick girls. For years I had these cards and paid them on time. I did nothing wrong in this relationship to deserve anything you did to me.
Yet, I still hoped for the best and decided to try one…more…time.

Since I couldn’t make my payments, I continued to pay what I could every month. This was causing all kinds of additional fees which meant the total I was past due all of a sudden was around $700. After praying and rehearsing my get back together speech, I called you, dear Chase again.

“Is there any way I can get this taken care of with suitable payments?” I begged in my nicest voice. And you know me, I’m not always nice to your representatives.

“No, now you have to pay the past due amount of $700 in a month or we can’t work with you,” said the Wicked Witch of Chase Bank.

“What? I can’t pay $700. That’s insane? Are you stupid? (Okay, I didn’t ask if she was stupid. Honest, and if she said I did she’s lying.)

“Nope. As long as that past due amount is there we can’t help you,” she growled. What’s that all about?

With my heart broken in two, I told the Wicked Witch of Chase Bank “Thank you, I’ll see what I can do” and hung up the phone knowing I was lying out of my clenched teeth. I didn’t mean to lie, but geez what do you expect? To be fair, you did tell me once that I needed that wrinkle cream and I didn’t, so we’re even. Not to mention you were dishonest in multiple other ways.

I still continued to pay what I could pay. After all, you’d kicked me, punched me and spit in my face. What else could you do? Cancel my card? Hahaha…you already did, remember? And I suspect you didn’t want to turn my account over to collections because…don’t you lose money if you do that?

Anyway, fast forward two months. When I received the call from the Chase Bank representative I was a bit shocked, first of all because I thought I blocked your stinking numbers, all 4 of those strange numbers I never recognized. I must’ve been tired because my finger wasn’t so quick on the “reject” button but alas, I’m glad I took the call. Your rep asked me what the problem was. I was like “Duh, ask Mr. Big. I just called two months ago about this,” but I still repeated everything I anyway…just because you know I like hearing myself talk. Well, surprise, Chase Bank, the representative must’ve liked my new $6 haircut .

“You might qualify for an exception,” said the Good Witch of Chase Bank.

“Sure,” I replied, waiting for her to request a million bazillion dollars or something else ridiculous.

To make a long story short, I did qualify for the exception. My payments were lowered to an amount even lower than when we first began dating and my interest was lowered to 6%- a ridiculously low rate for a person in my situation and way lower than any rate I’ve had since I had the cards. Either you’re drunk or your rep doesn’t like you either.

Some will say I should’ve just let the account go to collections and let the statute of limitations run out and whatever other ways there are to not pay a bill. I’m not sneaky like you though. My intention has always been to pay the bill, I was just begging for someone to help me out with a suitable arrangement. I am nervous that this deal will somehow hurt me in the long run and I’ll regret getting so damn happy about it–and I mean practically dancing on my desk happy. Still, for now I choose to be satisfied. My bill with Chase Bank can now be paid with payments I can afford. That’s all I ever wanted. I’m still not elated about being forced into this friendship with you for as long as the cows come home (or whatever that saying is about the cows that means practically the rest of my life.) It’s nice to at least have the option now to make double payments so I can ditch your ass sooner.

My dad joked that afterwards you’ll probably offer me another card. I want to say you can kiss my you know what. I forgive but I don’t forget.

You will regret treating me badly.

You will miss me. I could’ve been the best credit cardholder you ever had. Okay, that’s probably stretching it.

Thanks for the memories and thanks for making up with me.

Sincerely (and I mean that),

Miss Bankrupt

Not true, of course. I don’t think they’re allowed to use hammers. Anyway, although my friend fully intends on paying her bill with the collection agency (sooner than she thought simply out of fear), I thought I’d take a look at what exactly our rights are when dealing with collection agents.

1. Debt Collectors Cannot Curse You Out

According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are prohibited from harassment and cannot use obscene or threatening language. You will hear horror stories about agents doing exactly the opposite, but they’re not supposed to. Unfortunately, they are permitted to talk down to you and make you feel like a loser.

2. You Are Allowed to Negotiate

Collection agents will tell you that you have to pay a certain amount and that they won’t accept anything less or any other payment terms. You always have the right to negotiate. After all, what are they going to do, send you to collections? Isn’t it weird that the amount they request is almost always enough to starve you to death? Negotiate, set up a payment arrangement, ask for a lesser amount to pay the debt in full. You always have options.

3. Debt Collectors Cannot Put You in Jail

I’ve heard this before, especially when I was much younger and collectors were basically allowed to say anything they wanted. Debt collectors are telephone agents, not police officers. They cannot come to your house and take you to jail. They can’t arrest you for not paying your bills.

4. Debt Collectors Cannot Call Whenever They Feel Like It

If you’ve ever been contacted by a debt collector, you know that it seems like they can call 24/7. They can’t, it just seems like that when you’re avoiding phone calls. According to the FTC, debt collectors cannot call at inconvenient times or places, like before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. They are also not supposed to call you at work if you have notified them that you aren’t allowed to receive collection calls at work.

5. Collection Agencies Are Not Allowed to Contact Everyone You Know

They can’t call your family members to tell them about your debt, but they are allowed to contact them to find out if your address or phone number. They are not allowed to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse or your attorney.

If you’re having repeat problems with a collection agency, you may have to start documenting the events. Sometimes you may even need to get an attorney. Alleged violations can also be reported to your state Attorney General’s office, www.naag.org or www.ftc.gov. The Federal Trade Commission website also has more information regarding your rights when dealing with collection agents.

Of course we made the debt, we owe the money. I’m in no way saying that we shouldn’t pay our debts. I am saying that it is not okay to be bullied or frightened into paying our bills. Remember, they won’t kill you and eat you. Keep that in mind and you may come away from the conversation with a workable deal.

These are not tips from the customer service agent to save money on my cell phone bill, just some things that I realized during our conversation.

Watch Your Minutes

You could probably guess that I’m on the lowest plan possible. I do pay extra for unlimited texting and generally I’m a hardcore texter. It is a rare occasion that I actually talk on the phone. Sometimes, though, for example you have to talk on the phone during the day. Medical facilities for instance, will not discuss your bill via text and are not open on nighttime or weekend minutes. Credit card companies also will not correspond via text messaging. Unfortunately, these are times when you may find yourself on hold for a long period of time, thus eating up your daytime minutes.

Make sure you use the handy code on your cellphone to check your usage if there’s a question. Also check online, AT&T allows you to see how many minutes you’ve used and how many are left. You do not want to end up paying for over your minute calls because in my case, they are about .45 cents per minute.

Reject Incoming Calls

Not a big deal, but if you don’t want to rack up minutes in the daytime, reject incoming calls. Even if you just let them go to voicemail, messages are counted in your anytime minutes.

Pay Your Cell Phone Bill Online

Either pay your bill online or through the automated selection on your phone. If the customer service rep has to take your payment there is usually a fee, AT&T charges $5 but will sometimes waive it. Paying online also cuts out postage . I usually pay my bill over the phone, especially if I’m close to the due date.

Check Your Bill for Unnecessary Features

With most bills, there is usually something extra being billed that you’re not aware of, or do not use and aren’t aware that you’re not using it. Take a look at your next cell phone and see if there’s anything you can cancel or switch around. For instance, my unlimited texting costs $30.00 a month. If I text less and need more minutes, I may need to change the plan. I have also never had an expensive phone so I don’t buy the insurance and can’t speak of whether it’s necessary or not. I wait for the special free phone deals usually.

As you’ve probably guessed, I got a surprise on my bill from last month. I never pay attention to my minutes because I don’t usually talk on the phone. When I received my bill, however, I had around $65 in overages. After studying my bill and talking with the customer service rep, I still have no idea how it went over so much. I have incoming calls but no one could tell me where they were from and I honestly still can’t think of anyone that called me so much.

Luckily, after much patience and a lengthy 40 minutes on the phone, the customer service rep agreed to remove the overages. They could tell that in the many years I’ve had my cell phone with this exact number that I’ve never gone over nor racked up so many minutes. I also think it was because the rep for some reason or another couldn’t tell me where the calls came from. Still, it was a learning experience and even though I still have no clue what happened, I vowed to pay more attention to my bill.

One last note…I found out that it’s also possible that my 40 minute phone call to AT&T could count toward my anytime minutes unless you call through a certain number or the code on the phone. That’ll be the next thing I call them about…tomorow.

Operation WITHIMMG: Edited Friday Day 5 for spending
Day 6: McDonald’s with daughter $10
Day 7: 0
Day 8: 0