AT&T Charging Deposit 5 months after the fact.

Well not sure how much we can help here but:

My take is that this is not legal especially if you have an approval number. Incase if you haven't tried this... take that number into the AT&T store nearest to you, have them open up your account and tell them the problem... stand firm too...

With a letter of pre approval that says no deposit required then you easily have a case.

Well I wish the best to you. I have never had to with AT&T but I know with other wireless retailers I have had to be very firm and sometimes took days (which you apprantly only have two.)

Good Luck!

Disabled Veteran -

How did the bill get up to $750.00 or is this an accumulation of a number of months? Did you make your payments in a timely manner?

I just was at an AT&T store to activate a corporate account with AT&T and their agreement normally states that they have the right to require additional collateral in the event the credit evaluation of the customer changes due to circumstances.

If you feel that you are being dealt with unfairly, you always have the right, under law, to ask what created this credit crisis, and they are obligated to provide you with the information that cause this to occur.

They are also required to advise you who provided the report to them, i.e., the credit rating company, and that company is required to provide you with the information that may have caused your rating to change.

You can also challange that rating.

Forget taking this up with an AT&T retail store.

With the original pre-credit approval in hand, call AT&T customer support. Right away and politely ask to speak with a manager since this will probably end up there anyway from the front line folks that answer the phone.

With your pre-credit approval number in hand, having paid all previous bills in full and on time and 5 months after the fact, I don't see how AT&T has much leg to stand on here but you will attract more flies with honey - as the saying goes.

You can always switch to a Pay-As-You-Go plan instead which is an option instead of the deposit.

Since AT&T is 5 months behind with this, would you get the deposit back 7 months from now (since it is usually credited after 12 months of good payment history) or would it be credited 12 months from the billing date?

It will be an adjustment but I would opt for the Pay-As-You-Go plan instead of paying the deposit which AT&T cannot deny you.

Why do you think you would lose the deposit by switching from a post paid plan to a Pay-As-You-Go?

A deposit is required for those with poor credit and payment history or with no credit which is usually refunded after 12 months of good payment history. If one cancels their contract, the deposit is not lost - it is held until the final bill is paid or the final bill is paid for out of the deposit with the balance refunded.

Since you received a credit pre-approval before activating your iPhone with no indication a deposit was required - had you failed the credit check during the activation with a deposit required at that time, you would have had the option to go with the Pay-As-You-Go plan instead of paying the deposit - an option many have used that prefer not paying a huge deposit in order to have a post paid plan.

Since AT&T made a mistake with your credit check and is now requiring a deposit, I was just providing you another option that AT&T would probably allow you to do instead of paying the deposit without charging you the $175 ETF.

Pay the $700 deposit then.

Message was edited by: Allan Sampson

Disabled you should not give AT&T another dime until this issue is resolved. Call the Better Business Bureau and have them open a case for you. You have the pre-approval number saying that AT&T approved you for credit so they can't just charge you a deposit for no reason.

"Pay the $700 deposit then"

Don't be so rude. He's naturally upset and you would be too. Don't make him the victim. ATT does this type of stuff all the time, they don't know their butt from a hole in the ground, which is why I don't use them.

He shouldn't have to take your advice, if he's correct, then he's not the one at fault. He paid for a certain plan, and is not getting it. Changing to another plan because ATT screwed up is NOT the solution.

Think about it, and put yourself in that situation...

Good deal, let us know what happens!

and "Hello!" from an old (ex) Willoughby Spit resident...