A New York Jets attorney is going on the offensive against a cell phone carrier and its collection agency for $2,000 in allegedly false charges that have sunk his credit score, he claims in a new lawsuit.
Andrew Lee, 40, of Westport, Conn., says his debt troubles with T-Mobile began when his wife’s cell phone was stolen in 2007, according to court papers filed today in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Though he “immediately called T-Mobile customer service to place a hold on the line so that no unauthorized calls could be made,” he was told that the carrier’s “system was down.”
But, he claims, the operator assured him “he would not be charged for any unauthorized activity on the account,” according to the suit.
Weeks later Lee was shocked to receive a bill for $1,500 in calls to “someplace described as the ‘Yemnar Republic.” Over five years of haggling and partial payments, Lee says he’s still getting “harassing calls” from collection agencies.
A 60-point dip in his credit score prevented Lee from obtaining a home mortgage, he said in the lawsuit. “Apparently, T-Mobile’s purported claim against Lee is simply being recycled through various agencies in a type of ‘churn’ obviously designed to wear down Lee into submission,” documents charge.
But Lee, whose clients include artist Julian Schnabel and the New York and New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee, won’t be beat.
He’s looking to score a $2.1 million judgment against the company and its debt collector, Receivables Performance Management.
A spokesperson for cell phone carrier said, “T-Mobile does not comment on pending litigation.” The debt company did not return messages.