Charity Charged For Service On Stolen Laptops

INDIANAPOLIS -- The theft of several laptops was a major blow for an Indianapolis charity, but organizers didn't expect to be threatened with legal action in the aftermath.

In September, seven laptops were stolen from School on Wheels, an organization which provides tutoring to children living in shelters, Call 6's Rafael Sanchez reported.

As the charity struggled to replace the computers, it was contacted by a collection agency on behalf of AT&T, the company that originally donated the equipment.

AT&T claimed that School on Wheels owned more than $2,700 for wireless service through December, even though the cards were taken along with the laptops in September.

"We were not expecting at all to get a call from a collection agency," said charity spokeswoman Sally Bindley. "People came took from the homeless kids then, boom, I feel like I am being robbed again."

Call 6 contacted AT&T about the matter. A representative said that the collection charge was the result of a miscommunication and that customer service was a top priority for the company.

"Our service representative may have misunderstood the customer's request to cancel the wireless services outright, as our notes indicate a request for a suspension of the account," the company said in a

statement

.

AT&T has since called off the collection agency and credited the charity's account.

School on Wheels was eventually able to replace the stolen laptops.

More Information:

Full AT&T Statement

School On Wheels