Verizon's Negligence Ruined My Credit – Need Immediate Help!

[vardan1]

Hello everyone,

I am an international student who recently graduated from a university in the United States and am currently seeking employment in my field. It’s important to share that I’m on my own here, without family or friends I can rely on for support, trying to navigate and survive.

This issue began in February 2024 when my ex-roommates canceled our Verizon Home Internet service. We had started the service in October 2022, with all bills paid on time through Auto-Pay. As we prepared to graduate in Spring 2024, my roommates decided to end the service and return the router. Verizon promised to send a return kit with instructions and a shipping label.

However, the return kit never arrived. Despite multiple calls, the agents repeatedly told us to wait, with no other solution offered. Weeks passed, and after numerous frustrating calls, my roommate finally spoke to a helpful agent who advised us to visit a Verizon store and get a shipping label there. On May 21st, 2024, we returned the router via FedEx, which was received by Verizon on May 24th (tracking number 776472773605).

Despite this, I received emails from Verizon claiming we owed $200 for unreturned equipment. My roommate contacted Verizon immediately, explaining that the return kit was never sent and that the delay was their fault. After many more hours on the phone, an agent finally promised that the $200 charge would be waived due to Verizon's error.

Today, September 30th, 2024, I discovered that my credit score dropped drastically from 781 to 569. After consulting my bank and checking my Experian report, I was shocked to see a delinquency of $228 from Verizon. I've since spent hours trying to resolve this with Verizon and the debt collectors (Diversified Adjustment Services), but the agents are rude, unhelpful, and frequently disconnect calls. I even tried to raise a dispute and I've been kept in the blind by all of these agents and don't know what is going on anymore.

I am now extremely worried about how this credit issue has already affected my job search, ability to secure rental housing, or buy a car. If anyone has advice or can help me resolve this and remove the negative impact from my credit report, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.