Even Death Won't Get You Out Of Early Termination Fees

from the early-termination-indeed dept

Fri, Jun 4th 2004 2:24pm — Mike Masnick

You know those early termination fees that the wireless carriers like to lock you into? An article on the sorts of complaints people have with their mobile phone providers includes the story of a man who died. When his wife tried to cancel his mobile phone service, she was told she needed to pay the "early termination" fee. Early termination, indeed. The rest of the article includes all of the typical complaints, and points out what everyone knows already: wireless customer service is dreadful and the wireless carriers know it.

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3 Comments

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Jeff, 4 Jun 2004 @ 2:24pm

What if you don't pay?
Does anyone know what the negative consequences to NOT paying the early termination fee? Are there actual cases of negative impacts to credit scores for not paying the ETF?
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RNR, 24 Oct 2007 @ 2:15pm

Early Termination when the subscriber really dies?
If the subscriber is dead, can the provider (e.g. Hughes.net) charge an early termination fee to the wife of the subscriber? She does not want the internet at all, and has had to submit a copy of her husband's death certificate as well as a formal letter asking for the service to be terminated. They still want to charge her an early termination fee. Can they legally do this?
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Charlie, 29 Sep 2009 @ 10:43am

Re: Early Termination when the subscriber really dies?
Going through stuff now. They can go after the estate for the termination fee. I think its poor taste but the deceased entered into a contract and created a debt. The estate is responsible for the debts of the deceased.
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