Sent to collections for phones I never opened on lines I never activated

[amyjo77]

I ordered phones & new lines last year for Christmas presents.  Before I did, I asked if I could wait to start being billed after I activated service because I didn't want to pay my current provider and Verizon for the same period.  Plus I wanted to retain the current phone numbers and couldn't port them until I cancelled with my current provider. 

I was billed right away.  Called, explained the situation and they resolved after some back and forth.

I was billed again a few weeks later.  Called and they credited again.

I was billed again a bit later.  I called and they told me the best course of action would be to just return the phones.  They sent me prepaid return labels and said I wouldn't be charged since the phones were never opened and I was within the 30 days.  I returned right away.

Got another bill.  Called and they confirmed they received the phones but someone had forgotten to update something.  They said they would resolve.

Got another billed.  Called and they said someone forgot to deactivate the lines and that I would be credited and should have no more issued.  Very apologetic.

Got my first collections letter.  Called verizon, said they couldn't discuss with me and I had to deal with collector.  So I disputed.  Never heard anything again.

Got my 2nd collections letter from another company.  Disputed and an few months later they sent copy of the bill.  I responded with the whole explanation again.  never heard anything again.

Yesterday I got a 3rd collections letter from a 3rd company.  Obviously, I am going to dispute again.

Has anyone ever dealt with this?   I am so frustrated.  This has been going on since the end of November 2024.  I'm beyond frustrated.