I can't decide which was more infuriating, AT&T's incompetence, or Franklin Collections' cocky little worm who seems to think answering phones makes him GOD!

I made the mistake of signing up with AT&T for home phone service last year. I eventually decided to drop them. I PAID THE BILL and cancelled the service. The other day, I received a rude and agressive letter from Franklin Collections in Tupelo, Mississippi stating that I owe $40.10 to AT&T, and if I don't pay up, I'm going to be garnished, sued, everything short of tarred and feathered! Since I AM in the habit of paying my bills on time, I was unaware that your dispute must be "in writing." The letter stated to contact them if there is a dispute and gave a phone number, it did not specify "in writing."

I contacted Franklin, and the hateful snot that took the call became very abrupt with me, as though I'M the moron for calling to dispute! After asking me why I'm disputing, he told me I would have to deal with AT&T because as far as he's concerned I'm just trying to dodge paying the bill! He also was very condescending when telling me I could not dispute over the phone, that it must be in writing- As if I was supposed to know this-As if being turned over to collections is a regular thing for me!

Then, I contacted AT&T, who claim they have absolutely no record of my payment ever being made! I have to send them copies of my bank statement showing that I made the payment, or else I have to pay them AGAIN!

And another thing about AT&T, these are a bunch of con artists! I also had made the mistake of getting a cell phone with them--- HUGE MISTAKE! Twice I have received bills in excess of $300, full of calls I never made! I had to fight tooth and nail and threaten legal action to get the charges removed! Mind you, I'm not one of these dimwits with the permanent Bluetooth implant. I don't even talk enough to justify purchasing such a silly piece of junk. I have a grand total of 7 people (4 are also on AT&T, so no charge there!) I actually communicate with (not even daily), so I know very well who I have spoken to and how often. I have been counting down the days until August when the contract expires so I can divorce AT&T!! I will get a cheap, pre-paid (NOT AT&T) cell from now on. DEATH TO AT&T!!