<prompt> Human: I live in Virginia. My mother passed away 2 years ago and my halfbrother had been living in the house along with my mothers boyfriend. While I have kept in contact, I havent been living at the house and didnt realize they had gotten the internet cut off for non-payment.I am now moving in to renovate the house for sale living alone, they have moved out and I set up CenturyLink via their online process Tuesday. Yesterday I received an email saying that they apologize, but could not give me service because of non-payment. I called the number and the gentleman was very nice surprisingly so based on previous experiences. He worked for 20 minutes or so trying to override the block, even speaking to his superiors. At the end of the day though, he said he was sorry, but was overruled by his supervisors and that I would have to pay 550 if I wanted to get service. I told him that wasnt a feasible solution, thanked him for trying, and hung up.Is it legal for them to do this? Are there complaints I can file with FTC, FCC, etc.?Normally, I would just search for another ISP or just use my phone as a hotspotI sell on Amazon, which is why I need the internet, but the house is in a rural area where CenturyLink is the only available ISP and phone service is abysmal.Any advice would be greatly appreciated. EDIT: So there seems to be some responses with mentions of deeds and estates. My mother did not have a will for what its worth. I had agreed verbally--no papers, yes I am stupid that I would relinquish rights to the house so long as everything stayed kosher. Last year, the bank tried to foreclose on the house. We filed a successful injunction because they had not gone after the life insurance policy that we directed them to. My brother and his family were unable to make payments which is why they no longer wanted the home.This put me in the position to either take over payments or sell. As it stands we my brother and I were able to get free legal aid--albeit is limited have an agreement between the banks lawyers and ours to give me time to unfuck what my brother has done to the home and to sell with us the heirs receiving any difference between the life insurance covered portion and selling price of the home. So with all that:TLDR-- I honestly dont know whos name the home is in.EDIT 2: Obligatory RIP Inbox. Only took 5 years. Thanks for all the replies, they have been really helpful. Sorry I am only updating now, but my workweek is Thursday - Sunday and I just havent had the time.To update: After getting some advice from on here I went ahead and filed a complaint with the FCC on Thursday. Friday I received an email from the FCC saying that the complaint request has been sent to CenturyLink and they will be contacting me soon and CenturyLink would be required to respond to them within 30 days as well. The email didnt mention anything else of importance.Now that Ive got to enjoy my personal Saturday I plan to give CenturyLink another call tomorrow. Per the advice of uchb1000001 I will be recording the call. I did think it was odd that the CSR was so open with giving me other peoples info without any assurance of who I actually was. I will also check and add a link to VA recording laws for everyones reference in my next update.I will continue to try to respond to comments as this progresses as well.  <response>: This isnt uncommon. Many cable companies wont hook up service at an address where a large debt is owed. This is to prevent someone from running up a big debt then setting up service in their roommmates name.When I bought my current house the previous owners owed a large balance to Comcast. I had to show them the paperwork proving I had recently bought the house. My mom had a similar issue with Verizon at a house she rented, but showing she had a lease that the person who owed the debt wasnt on allowed them to hook up service. I suspect something similar would work for you, unless of course the house was put in your name before the bills were run up. 