Comcast Went to Collections One Day After Sending a FIrst Bill

I have had many issues with Comcast, including spending a good ten hours of my time (that's a low-end estimate) trying to get them to make my Internet work properly. But I cancelled, sent them back their crappy equipment, and thought I was free. I am now embarrassed that I could have ever been so naive.

The details are difficult to understand; I don't even comprehend it and the people at Comcast seem even more confused--though, of course, I get a completely different answer from everyone I talk to. Basically, I canceled my service on July 14. I received a bill two days ago, dated August 14, for $39.74--presumably what I owe for two week's worth of internet and cable--that says its due September 3. It doesn't say "second notice," carries no late fees, etc.--it's just a normal bill. Today, I get a bill for the same amount from a collections agency working on Comcast's behalf. Turns out they charged off my account ONE DAY after SENDING me my final bill--that is, while the FIRST COPY of my final bill was making its way to me via US mail, they put my account into collections. I couldn't have paid them even right when I got the bill--it was already too late.

I called for an explanation, of course, and was told that my account was ninety-five days past due. Apparently, I had owed them $13 and change in March, and even though I paid that I never apparently paid another bill in full. See, here's the thing: Comcast over-billed me many times, including the month of July. I had a lot of credits put on my account for the amount of trouble I had with their services, and half the time the bill wouldn't reflect these. I always called and demanded an accurate bill before I paid, and then always paid what I owed, but each time I didn't pay them in full when they were over-charging me, it showed up as "past due" in their system--even when the amounts were later adjusted in my favor. By mid-June, I had already put in a cancellation request for July 14 (we were moving, and there was no way I was dealing with them anymore), but they sent me a bill towards the end of June that covered part of June's services and all of July's. I paid the amount for June, and said I paid what i owed for July when they sent a bill. They said no problem.

They sent an original bill (according to them; I never received it, but an interstate move means anything's possible) on July 15 that included the $39.74 and a charge for a service call--probably the guy they sent to pick up their equipment, but I honestly have no idea). A month later, without any prompting from me, they sent out the bill showing an "adjustment" that removed the service fee and a "previous balance" of $39.74. Comcast has confirmed (as much as they ever can) that this is the only money I owe them, and that it is for services from July 1-14. The only reason my account is "ninety-five days past due", then, is because I refused to pay when they were overcharging me. The actual amount I owe them has only been owed since July 1, and the only appropriate bill for these services was sent out August 14, but because I didn't just pony up when they said to, I get to deal with a collections agency.

I'm not one for swearing on online forums, but I f***ing hate these f***ing Comcast bastards.

My plan: I am writing a letter to the collections agency letting them know that I have never received an itemized bill detailing the charges they are attempting to collect, and that I will require such verification before any payment is made. That's all I wanted from Comcast in the first place--that, and a chance to pay what I owe. I will also be filing a formal complaint with the FTC against Comcast for unfair debt collection, and if this ends up adversely affecting my credit I will be taking them to small claims court for damages.