Hi, I'm curious about debt collection rules. I had an account with verizon up to May 2008 and I canceled the account that month. Apparently, the service rep messed up and left my account open.

I got a letter from a collection agency saying that I owe $72.57 for a verizon bill. After I explained to them in writing that I canceled the service in May and if the service rep left my account open by mistake, I can't be responsible for that, they sent a letter that said they confirmed the debt with verizon. Nothing more, not how the debt originated or anything.

Any idea on what I should do next? My account had always been paid in full up to the month (May) that I called to cancel. In addition to calling to cancel, I unplugged the DSL in May and never used it again, so I don't see how they can say I owe any debt.