If you file a chap 7 bankruptcy and charged off cell phone bill what happens if trying to reapply?
I am curious because I filed a chapter 7 and I had two cell phone companies in the bankruptcy. I’m not planning on opening an account but what if I had to in the future? Would I have to pay the outstanding debt before I started service even though it’s been charged off?
The cell phone company can decline to provide you service after filing bankruptcy. Unlike landline providers, cellphone providers are not a regulated public utility.
All creditors are prohibited from doing anything to attempt to collect discharged debts. If any creditor does anything that you feel is an attempt to make you pay a discharged debt, take that info to your bankruptcy attorney who can deal with discharge order violations in bankruptcy court.
Most cell phone companies are well aware of this issue, and because of not wanting to violate the discharge order, they probably won’t tell you that you “have to pay the [discharged - not "outstanding"] balance” in order to get their service. They, instead, will just decline to provide service at all, which (unlike landline providers) they are entitled to do.