Linked account sent to collections

[CES760]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been a customer with Verizon for over 8 years now I feel like maybe even over 10 years now.
Several years ago  I added my sister, her son, and her friend to my account. Years later they broke off and created their own linked account in order to make payments easier for all parties. This year they all decided to switch carriers and end their relationship with Verizon.

I told them to make sure to pay all of their bills so all dues would be paid. My sister’s friend thought she had paid her final bill in its entirety but she actually left a past due balance of $183. Apparently she had been receiving texts asking to pay her final bill but she believed it was just a mistake because she had already paid her final bill. She never communicated with me that Verizon was asking her for a past due balance. Because they were in a separate but linked account, I never received texts about the past due amount. Had I received the text I would have paid it to keep my account in good standing like it has been for over 8 years. Since she did not pay the balance her bill was sent to collections which resulted in a 128 drop in my credit score. I called Verizon today but they told me that my account was in good standing and not in collections. I explained that I had a linked account that might have been responsible for the collection issue but they said they can not help me with that account even though I am the master account. All of the parties on the linked account are no longer with Verizon so I am not sure how to go about paying this past due balance.

This is entirely my fault for not being more diligent and making sure all bills from that account were paid. However, I am hoping that Verizon will show some mercy and in goodwill remove that collection report if I pay the full amount. I am ready to pay now but I am having issues getting the financial services to even show that my account is in collections since my master account has always been in good standing. I really want to pay this past due amount and get the collection removed and remain a Verizon customer. 

I emailed Sowmyanarayan Sampath, the Executive Vice President and CEO of Verizon Consumer Group in hopes that he can help me resolve this issue. I really just want my credit score to go back to where it was because I have worked hard over the last 5 years to get it to where it was. I am hoping to buy a home next year but if this collection report stays on my credit I may have a hard time getting a loan. 

Does anyone have any tips or a number I can call to get the ball rolling on a resolution to t is issue? 

Thank you in advance to anyone who helps me.