[mbreid]

my cell phone was stolen several months ago. at the time i thought i had just misplaced it and did not immediately cancel it. in that time period $2000 worth of charges were made on it in international calls. the cell phone company at the time told me that my contract stated that i was liable for any charges made on the phone.

at this time i was also going through a difficult personal time. won't get into it but long story short is that after the company wouldn't take the charges off, i didn't pay them. they turned off the account and sent it to collections.

i've gotten myself back together and am trying to fix this. i don't want to pay $2000 dollars but i to me it's worth some money to keep this from affecting my credit rating so if i have to pay i will. i'm looking for advice on how to get this off my credit report.

negotiate with cell phone company? with the collection agency? go to the CRAs?

thanks!