LAS CRUCES, N.M., May 27 (UPI) -- A couple who formerly lived in New Mexico said they moved to another state after a Verizon Wireless bill collector threatened to blow up their house.
Al Burrows, 45, formerly of Las Cruces, said a second bill collector threatened him after a first collector had already given him 90 days to pay a $308 bill, ABC News reported Thursday.
Burrows has filed a lawsuit against Verizon in a New Mexico court, ABC News said.
"I can say the alleged behavior is inappropriate and we take such allegations very seriously," a Verizon Wireless spokesman said, adding the company declines to comment on pending litigation.
Burrows said the alleged threat distressed him and his wife, forcing him to change his door locks and then move to another state.
Burrows said when he first called Verizon to complain, a customer service representative allegedly accused him of fabricating the story. He said Verizon has not yet apologized.
The lawsuit, if it proceeds, would force Verizon Wireless to defend itself against the type of accusations sometimes made against third-party debt collectors, ABC News said.
