Problems with First Data Merchant Services

So here's my tale of woe.

Early this spring, I thought I needed to have the ability to take credit cards for purchases on my tiny little company's website, BelfortandBastion.com. For companies interested in getting such a capacity, my web hosting providers, GoDaddy, offers a link to First Data Merchant Services a.k.a., First Data.

I filled out the necessary forms, including one that listed my bank account number and the routing number of my bank. However, when I did so, I must have mistyped one of those two numbers. Either way, something went wrong.

Then, in May, I received a note from First Data Merchant Services (or, more precisely, its collection department) saying that I was in default, that I had not paid the $30 a month processing fees, or start-up costs, and billing me $160. The note, by the way, was dated May 12.

I contacted First Data and some very nice person there explained what had happened. When First Data had been unable to collect its fees from my bank account (because I'd mistyped a number), my First Data account had been instantly closed. (She was unable to explain why no one attempted contact me before the account was shut down, but that's beside the point.)

I asked if that meant I no longer had an account with First Data. She said that was correct.

I was not concerned about that because I had realized I really didn't need credit card processing (just yet) for my company, which only sells a few items a year. I therefore said I understood, and was content that I no longer had an account with First Data. I then sent the company a check for what I owed, i.e., $160.

I thought the incident was closed.

However, yesterday, or June 30, I received a "second notice" from First Data's collection department saying that I now owed $235 and that failure to pay could negatively impact my credit rating.

But, of course, the problem is that I thought I no longer had an account with First Data, and so it seems as if I'm being charged credit card processing fees for credit cards that aren't, well, being processed.

So how on earth do I get out of this situation? I've left a message with First Data's collection department, but so far haven't heard back from them.


Thank you so much in advance.

mjt