Cannot cancel Sprint PCS

In article <zVpJb.62581$hf1.5797@lakeread06>,
"RHertz" <[email protected]> wrote:

> After numerous attempts to get a living human being on the phone, and after
> two HOURS on hold, I FINALLY got someone on the line. They were barely
> audible, and I had to repeat, usually several times, what I was saying. I
> am trying to cancel my mom's Sprint account. She hasn't used the phone in
> over a year, and is now confined to her bed in a nursing home.
>
> The operator wanted to know the "password". Well, I had no clue. I am not
> even sure where the phone is. Finally, the operator said that I could use
> the last four number of her SSN. Then I was put on hold for TWENTY MORE
> MINUTES while the "people who cancel accounts" were consulted. I was told I
> could not cancel the account: either my mom (who can't walk, and can barely
> speak) would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with numerous
> IDs, etc.
>
> WHAT A BUNCH OF ****ING INSENSITIVE **** FOR BRAINS ASSHOLES!!!!! I will
> NEVER do business with such SCUM ever again!! I WILL NOT PAY the last bill
> for this account!! THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS NOW!!! It is
> NO SURPRISE that the WSJ ranked them DEAD LAST. THROW YOUR SPRINT PHONES IN
> THE DRINK! THOSE RAT****ING BASTARDS DESERVE TO BE UNEMPLOYED BUMS. IF YOU
> SEE THEM ON THE STREET, DON'T PUT QUARTERS IN THEIR CUPS! KICK THEM IN THE
> NUTS INSTEAD!

You are an idiot. Requiring the password or some other form of
verification of identity is a security feature designed to protect users
from unauthorized activity on their account. The company was not out to
get you or your mother and was not being insensitive. Given your tirade
above, I have to wonder if you started cussing out the customer service
rep as you started cussing in your post. That certainly would have
motivated them to want to help you more.

Go to a Sprint Store with some ID & verification of your mom's status.

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

---

› See More: Cannot cancel Sprint PCS

In article <p9qJb.62661$hf1.39889@lakeread06>,
"RHertz" <[email protected]> wrote:

> You're right. Maybe I can sue them for psychological injury.

I doubt it, because it appears to me that your psychological injury
happened long before you ever encountered Sprint PCS.

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

In article <[email protected]>,
SA <[email protected]> wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>,
> O/Siris <robjvargas@sprīntpcs.com> wrote:
>
> > In article <zVpJb.62581$hf1.5797@lakeread06>, [email protected]
> > says...
> > > After numerous attempts to get a living human being on the phone, and
> > > after
> > > two HOURS on hold, I FINALLY got someone on the line. They were barely
> > > audible, and I had to repeat, usually several times, what I was saying.
> > > I
> > > am trying to cancel my mom's Sprint account. She hasn't used the phone
> > > in
> > > over a year, and is now confined to her bed in a nursing home.
> > >
> > > The operator wanted to know the "password". Well, I had no clue. I am
> > > not
> > > even sure where the phone is. Finally, the operator said that I could
> > > use
> > > the last four number of her SSN. Then I was put on hold for TWENTY MORE
> > > MINUTES while the "people who cancel accounts" were consulted. I was
> > > told I
> > > could not cancel the account: either my mom (who can't walk, and can
> > > barely
> > > speak) would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with
> > > numerous
> > > IDs, etc.
> > >
> >
> > I can certainly understand your anger. You're in the midst of a very
> > painful personal crisis, and you just want everything taken care of.
> > Unfortunately, we have had issues with people trying all sorts of
> > fraudulent stories to try to get out of termination fees, or just to
> > maliciously get someone's service shut off. We need to *know* what's
> > happening is, in fact, happening.
> >
> > I certainly understand that you don't need this bureaucratic crap at
> > times like this. But please, I beg you, understand we need to make sure
> > what's the truth here. And, as soon as we do, we'll help you.
>
> I don't know, sounds like a typical Sprint CSR moronathon one would face
> if you asked anything out of the ordinary. And I am sure a letter to
> Sprint's corporate drones, even if he has a durable power of attorney as
> he likely does, wouldn't work either. Why not send a letter to a local
> store and hope the manager takes pity on you?

He should just go to the nearest Sprint PCS Store. It's far easier to
explain the situation in person and provide documentation than it is to
do it over the phone with one of the reps.

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

In article <[email protected]>,
"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Lawrence Glasser" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > SA wrote:
> > >
> > > In article <[email protected]>,
> > > O/Siris <robjvargas@sprīntpcs.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > In article <zVpJb.62581$hf1.5797@lakeread06>,
> [email protected]
> > > > says...
> > > > > After numerous attempts to get a living human being on the phone,
> and after
> > > > > two HOURS on hold, I FINALLY got someone on the line. They were
> barely
> > > > > audible, and I had to repeat, usually several times, what I was
> saying. I
> > > > > am trying to cancel my mom's Sprint account. She hasn't used the
> phone in
> > > > > over a year, and is now confined to her bed in a nursing home.
> > > > >
> > > > > The operator wanted to know the "password". Well, I had no clue. I
> am not
> > > > > even sure where the phone is. Finally, the operator said that I
> could use
> > > > > the last four number of her SSN. Then I was put on hold for TWENTY
> MORE
> > > > > MINUTES while the "people who cancel accounts" were consulted. I
> was told I
> > > > > could not cancel the account: either my mom (who can't walk, and can
> barely
> > > > > speak) would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with
> numerous
> > > > > IDs, etc.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > I can certainly understand your anger. You're in the midst of a very
> > > > painful personal crisis, and you just want everything taken care of.
> > > > Unfortunately, we have had issues with people trying all sorts of
> > > > fraudulent stories to try to get out of termination fees, or just to
> > > > maliciously get someone's service shut off. We need to *know* what's
> > > > happening is, in fact, happening.
> > > >
> > > > I certainly understand that you don't need this bureaucratic crap at
> > > > times like this. But please, I beg you, understand we need to make
> sure
> > > > what's the truth here. And, as soon as we do, we'll help you.
> > >
> > > I don't know, sounds like a typical Sprint CSR moronathon one would face
> > > if you asked anything out of the ordinary. And I am sure a letter to
> > > Sprint's corporate drones, even if he has a durable power of attorney as
> > > he likely does, wouldn't work either. Why not send a letter to a local
> > > store and hope the manager takes pity on you?
> >
> > As much as I dislike the TV News "Trouble Shooters," just the threat of
> > of such action might light a fire under someone's butt.
> >
> > Bad publicity, for any company, speaks rather loudly.
> >
> > Larry
>
> I am in agreement with SPCS about not turning off the service. There is a
> reason why we have passwords when speaking with SPCS. It's to guarantee who
> we are, when calling them up. It's to guarantee that someone else can't mess
> around with our account. How would like it if your ex-wife (not saying you
> are divorced there Larry ... ) wanted to spite you by calling SPCS and
> canceling your service? You wouldn't ... naturally.

Correct. The requirement of a password is a security feature designed to
protect the customer.


> The best advice given was to get a Power of Attorney. Fax or mail that into
> SPCS with a letter requesting the cancellation of the account.

Either that, or he should go to the nearest Sprint Store with the the
Power of Attorney, a recent bill, and some of his mother's ID (driver's
license, Social Security card) and get the account canceled. It might
take some wrangling (particularly if the manager isn't readily
available), but it should get the job done.

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

Orac wrote:
>
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > "Lawrence Glasser" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > SA wrote:
> > > >
> > > > In article <[email protected]>,
> > > > O/Siris <robjvargas@sprīntpcs.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > In article <zVpJb.62581$hf1.5797@lakeread06>,
> > [email protected]
> > > > > says...
> > > > > > After numerous attempts to get a living human being on the phone,
> > and after
> > > > > > two HOURS on hold, I FINALLY got someone on the line. They were
> > barely
> > > > > > audible, and I had to repeat, usually several times, what I was
> > saying. I
> > > > > > am trying to cancel my mom's Sprint account. She hasn't used the
> > phone in
> > > > > > over a year, and is now confined to her bed in a nursing home.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The operator wanted to know the "password". Well, I had no clue. I
> > am not
> > > > > > even sure where the phone is. Finally, the operator said that I
> > could use
> > > > > > the last four number of her SSN. Then I was put on hold for TWENTY
> > MORE
> > > > > > MINUTES while the "people who cancel accounts" were consulted. I
> > was told I
> > > > > > could not cancel the account: either my mom (who can't walk, and can
> > barely
> > > > > > speak) would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with
> > numerous
> > > > > > IDs, etc.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I can certainly understand your anger. You're in the midst of a very
> > > > > painful personal crisis, and you just want everything taken care of.
> > > > > Unfortunately, we have had issues with people trying all sorts of
> > > > > fraudulent stories to try to get out of termination fees, or just to
> > > > > maliciously get someone's service shut off. We need to *know* what's
> > > > > happening is, in fact, happening.
> > > > >
> > > > > I certainly understand that you don't need this bureaucratic crap at
> > > > > times like this. But please, I beg you, understand we need to make
> > sure
> > > > > what's the truth here. And, as soon as we do, we'll help you.
> > > >
> > > > I don't know, sounds like a typical Sprint CSR moronathon one would face
> > > > if you asked anything out of the ordinary. And I am sure a letter to
> > > > Sprint's corporate drones, even if he has a durable power of attorney as
> > > > he likely does, wouldn't work either. Why not send a letter to a local
> > > > store and hope the manager takes pity on you?
> > >
> > > As much as I dislike the TV News "Trouble Shooters," just the threat of
> > > of such action might light a fire under someone's butt.
> > >
> > > Bad publicity, for any company, speaks rather loudly.
> > >
> > > Larry
> >
> > I am in agreement with SPCS about not turning off the service. There is a
> > reason why we have passwords when speaking with SPCS. It's to guarantee who
> > we are, when calling them up. It's to guarantee that someone else can't mess
> > around with our account. How would like it if your ex-wife (not saying you
> > are divorced there Larry ... ) wanted to spite you by calling SPCS and
> > canceling your service? You wouldn't ... naturally.
>
> Correct. The requirement of a password is a security feature designed to
> protect the customer.
>
> > The best advice given was to get a Power of Attorney. Fax or mail that into
> > SPCS with a letter requesting the cancellation of the account.
>
> Either that, or he should go to the nearest Sprint Store with the the
> Power of Attorney, a recent bill, and some of his mother's ID (driver's
> license, Social Security card) and get the account canceled. It might
> take some wrangling (particularly if the manager isn't readily
> available), but it should get the job done.

Just to clear up what appears to be a misconception... Power of Attorney
isn't someone that you hire, it's a title given to (usually) a relative,
when someone can't (physically or mentally) make decisions for themselves.

For example, I'm my mother's Power of Attorney. If/when the time comes
that she can't make decisions, it becomes my responsibility.

Larry

RHertz <[email protected]> wrote:
> After numerous attempts to get a living human being on the phone, and after
> two HOURS on hold, I FINALLY got someone on the line. They were barely
> audible, and I had to repeat, usually several times, what I was saying. I
> am trying to cancel my mom's Sprint account. She hasn't used the phone in
> over a year, and is now confined to her bed in a nursing home.
>
> The operator wanted to know the "password".

There IS no password on an SPCS account unless you specifically set one.
Which I personally did, because I don't like giving out the last four digits
of my SSN.


> MINUTES while the "people who cancel accounts" were consulted. I was told I
> could not cancel the account: either my mom (who can't walk, and can barely
> speak) would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with numerous
> IDs, etc.

Someone needs to get a clue.

If your mother is financially responsible for the account, SHE needs to cancel
it, unless she *specifically* told Sprint to give you access to the account.

Would you prefer that anyone could cancel your account just by calling Sprint?

> WHAT A BUNCH OF ****ING INSENSITIVE **** FOR BRAINS ASSHOLES!!!!! I will

No, I think you're a "****ing insensitive ****-for-brains asshole."

> NEVER do business with such SCUM ever again!! I WILL NOT PAY the last bill
> for this account!!

Oh, good. So you screw your mother over in retaliation? It screws up her
credit, not yours, you idiot.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services
22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
Steve Sobol, Geek In Charge * 888.480.4NET (4638) * [email protected]

[email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> Why bother with a Droid? They're taught canned solutions to a finite number
> of problems, and you're obviously not on the list.
> This is clearly a perfect solution for a clear written statement of facts,
> plus a formal request, sent via certified mail with a copy via the website.
> Demand retroactivity and then negotiate.

Um.

If his mother is responsible for the account and didn't give anyone else
the authority to cancel or make other changes, why should Sprint let anyone
else cancel or make other changes?

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services
22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
Steve Sobol, Geek In Charge * 888.480.4NET (4638) * [email protected]

Lawrence Glasser <[email protected]> wrote:

> Just to clear up what appears to be a misconception... Power of Attorney
> isn't someone that you hire, it's a title given to (usually) a relative,
> when someone can't (physically or mentally) make decisions for themselves.

It's also the legal document you sign to give someone else that authority.

When I leased a car from Ford Credit, I had to go get the plates, but they
owned the car, so they sent me one authorizing me to register the car with
the BMV. (For example. There are lots of other good examples of PoA.)

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services
22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
Steve Sobol, Geek In Charge * 888.480.4NET (4638) * [email protected]

Steven J Sobol wrote:
> There IS no password on an SPCS account unless you specifically set one.
> Which I personally did, because I don't like giving out the last four digits
> of my SSN.

Have you been a SPCS customer for a very long time? I've been with them
for a while, and I've been selling them through an independent retailer
for a somewhat shorter, but still substantial amount of time. When I
opened my account in the late 90's, they had me assign a password to the
account. I think they wanted my mother's maiden name, but would accept
something different. Now, by default, they assign the last four digits
of the new customer's SSN as the account password. Either way, there
should be a password on the majority of accounts, though I could see
yours not automatically having one if Sprint wasn't assiging them at the
time.

-mike

"Steven J Sobol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Why bother with a Droid? They're taught canned solutions to a finite
number
> > of problems, and you're obviously not on the list.
> > This is clearly a perfect solution for a clear written statement of
facts,
> > plus a formal request, sent via certified mail with a copy via the
website.
> > Demand retroactivity and then negotiate.
>
> Um.
>
> If his mother is responsible for the account and didn't give anyone else
> the authority to cancel or make other changes, why should Sprint let
anyone
> else cancel or make other changes?

I deal with these types of situations for a financial insitution. The front
line reps are constantly having to forward calls like this. The people are
pissed off and telling us we don't understand. The people who call think we
don't care, but the issue is that the customer didn't get their affairs in
order and nobody can do anything until the whole thing goes to probate.
What they don't get is that if she comes out of this and her accounts are
exactly how she left them, we are in a world of hurt. If she doesn't come
out then the whole thing goes to probate, including that Sprint Bill.

"Orac" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> > The best advice given was to get a Power of Attorney. Fax or mail that
into
> > SPCS with a letter requesting the cancellation of the account.
>
> Either that, or he should go to the nearest Sprint Store with the the
> Power of Attorney, a recent bill, and some of his mother's ID (driver's
> license, Social Security card) and get the account canceled. It might
> take some wrangling (particularly if the manager isn't readily
> available), but it should get the job done.

Didn't he mention in the initial post that it was suggested to him that he
go in with his mother's ID to take care of this and he found that
unreasonable? "would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with
numerous IDs, etc."

He's a troll...

In article <[email protected]>,
"ZJ Driver" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Orac" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > "Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >
> > > The best advice given was to get a Power of Attorney. Fax or mail that
> into
> > > SPCS with a letter requesting the cancellation of the account.
> >
> > Either that, or he should go to the nearest Sprint Store with the the
> > Power of Attorney, a recent bill, and some of his mother's ID (driver's
> > license, Social Security card) and get the account canceled. It might
> > take some wrangling (particularly if the manager isn't readily
> > available), but it should get the job done.
>
> Didn't he mention in the initial post that it was suggested to him that he
> go in with his mother's ID to take care of this and he found that
> unreasonable? "would have to call or go to a sprint store, or I would, with
> numerous IDs, etc."
>
> He's a troll...

Possibly, or he could simply be easily frustrated.

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

Amen brother!
"Orac" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> In article <p9qJb.62661$hf1.39889@lakeread06>,
> "RHertz" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > You're right. Maybe I can sue them for psychological injury.
>
> I doubt it, because it appears to me that your psychological injury
> happened long before you ever encountered Sprint PCS.
>
> --
> Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
> |
> |"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
> | inconvenience me with questions?"

In article <[email protected]>,
Steven J Sobol <[email protected]> wrote:

> RHertz <[email protected]> wrote:
> > After numerous attempts to get a living human being on the phone, and after
> > two HOURS on hold, I FINALLY got someone on the line. They were barely
> > audible, and I had to repeat, usually several times, what I was saying. I
> > am trying to cancel my mom's Sprint account. She hasn't used the phone in
> > over a year, and is now confined to her bed in a nursing home.
> >
> > The operator wanted to know the "password".
>
> There IS no password on an SPCS account unless you specifically set one.
> Which I personally did, because I don't like giving out the last four digits
> of my SSN.

Which meant that his mother must have set a password on her account.

[Snip]

> > WHAT A BUNCH OF ****ING INSENSITIVE **** FOR BRAINS ASSHOLES!!!!! I will
>
> No, I think you're a "****ing insensitive ****-for-brains asshole."

That's what I thought initially. However, time has mellowed me. It could
just be that he is ignorant and/or easily frustrated.

[Snip]

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

Mike <[email protected]> wrote:
> Steven J Sobol wrote:
>> There IS no password on an SPCS account unless you specifically set one.
>> Which I personally did, because I don't like giving out the last four digits
>> of my SSN.
>
> Have you been a SPCS customer for a very long time?

December of '01, roughly. In other words, just a smidge over two years.

> account. I think they wanted my mother's maiden name, but would accept
> something different. Now, by default, they assign the last four digits
> of the new customer's SSN as the account password.

Well, right, they did it for me and so did other companies I do business
with, but none of the companies I've dealt with, including Verizon (the
other cell carrier with whom I currently have an account), call the number
a password if they use the last four of the SSN; they ask for "the last
four digits of your social security number". If you have another number set
on the account, *then* they refer to it as a "password."

I don't think the policy has changed.

> should be a password on the majority of accounts, though I could see
> yours not automatically having one if Sprint wasn't assiging them at the
> time.

It did. They were. But they don't call it a password if it's the last four
of the SSN; they call it the last four of the SSN. Sorry about the
misunderstanding.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services
22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
Steve Sobol, Geek In Charge * 888.480.4NET (4638) * [email protected]