The back story...

In the summer of 2000, I decided that I needed a cellular phone and, after examining the different providers and plans available, I settled on Microcell Solutions, better known as Fido.

Since then, I've had many changes in my life. I freely admit that I haven't been the best customer that Fido has ever had; I've had bouts of unemployment and limited cashflow which has resulted in a less-than-stellar payment history. I have always paid my bill though, just not always on time. It was important to me to keep the same number, and as a result I have been a loyal customer who has given Fido thousands of dollars in exchange for cellular service, which included my girlfriend's phone as well as my own.

In late 2007, I decided that I would switch my provider to Bell due to an excellent promotional rate that Bell was offering. This decision was motivated, in part, by Fido suspending my service on the day that I paid my bill to them. I made a phone call to Fido's customer service department and confirmed that the bill had been paid in full. I also asked the agent (who never provided a name) that I spoke with when my contract for the newer phone plan was complete; she informed me that it was up as of January 21st, 2008. The older phone plan was not under any contractual obligation.

On January 17th, I moved the newer phone over to Bell, followed by the older phone on January 22nd. In addition, I called Fido customer service on the 22nd to confirm cancellation of both numbers, and spoke with another agent who had a thick accent and mumbled his name. He confirmed that the numbers were indeed cancelled. I also asked him if there were any additional charges that I should be expecting, and he informed me that there would be no cancellation charge or any other additional charges.

I thanked him for his service, and wished him well. I foolishly thought that was all there was to it.

More to follow...