Returned Defected iPhone but Verizon cannot locate it in the factory?

Question

On January 14th 2013, my iPhone 5 top button stopped functioning. Received replacement two days later. I then packaged and returned old iPhone with the return label provided by Verizon on January 19th 2013. Tracking number states factory received the package in January 29th 2013. On February 27th 2013, Verizon reports “Equipment charge” for $749.99 Device not returned. After a two months of calling each week and talking to numerous representatives Verizon told me that the factory is saying that the iPhone was never received and they could not locate the device but the $749.99 charge still stands. Verizon lost the iPhone and/or it was misplaced in factory. Verizon states the iPhone was never returned. Tracking Number was not recorded and neither was the phone’s IMEI number on file. If I did not keep all the documents then I would not have any proof of the device was shipped back and or even EXISTED!

Answer 1

I hate to say this but do not let this continue with verizon. Go to small claims court and have them served for the full amount they are saying you owe. Add in the court filing fees, time loss from work, postage costs etc. in the meantime send a written dispute to the address on your bill send it Certified Return Receipt and tell verizon you have proof of delivery as your dispute. Pay only the portion of your bill that is not in dispute. By federal and state laws they cannot report you as deliquent nor can they report you late to the credit bureaus. They also cannot harass you for payment of the disputed amount. if they call and send letters after your dispute is received you can ask for three times the amount they claim you owe for violation of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. And there are state laws that give you rights. Add the costs of the letters and other real costs to the small claims filing.  Verizon will call and settle. unless its settled via written agreement with all charges removed I personally would go to court anyway. Do not arbitrate under any circumstances.