How do I deal with a collections agency that t-mobile reported me to for an...

[Kba]

...invalid charge? Long story short, I bought a phone from t-mobile. There was something wrong with it, so I sent it back (with their packaging and UPS label) and they sent me a new one. It was a non contract account. I eventually closed the account and kept the phone that I had paid for in full. About a month later, I get notices saying that I owe them for the second phone. I called them and they said woops sorry this was a mistake, we are going to fix it. I had to call again and wait for an hour, they said sorry its taking so long, this will get cleared in a few business days.

Months later, I get a another notice from a collections agency. I was so mad, I called t-mobile and they said we can not speak to you about this because it has already been turned over to the agency. I said even though this was t-mobiles fault, I did nothing wrong and it is a false charge?

Does anyone have advise about what I can do? I will try contacting the collections agency, but I assume they will say why should we believe you v.s. t-mobile, and their job is to get the money from me plus their collection fee. What are my rights and what I can I do so that t-mobile does not get to screw me.

Thanks

[bloomorningglory]

Ask them for debt validation. They need to provide proof or they need to stop harassing you. Google "debt validation" for more info.

[Toni]

First thing I would do is send a letter by certified mail to t-mobile explaining the situation.
And demanding that the charge be removed and the collections account cleared.
Anything by phone will be usless from this point on.
A certified letter represents that you are willing to take legal action against them...

[EdwardFox]

As far as I know T-Mobile offer either contract phones or prepay phones

Not sure what you mean by a "non contract account". In my experience, if there is no contract, there is no account