I got a Verizon account I never signed up for and it’s gone to collections

TLDR: Verizon signed me up for an account I didn't authorize and it's in collections. What do I do?

I have a Frontier internet provider. A while ago some workers were building a fence outside and severed my internet line. I called to have it repaired and somehow ended up talking to a Verizon representative who told me I needed to upgrade my account to get it repaired. I immediately said NO THANKS because that's obviously not true and went about looking for another solution

Well somehow this person ended up signing me up for a Verizon account without my consent.

I had no idea until I got a bill a month or two later. I immediately called Verizon and had it resolved, or so I thought.

The bill was deleted but I got a $25 service charge activation fee. I called again to dispute it, explaining all of the above, and they swore it was taken care of. The next month, the bill came again. I called again… lather, rinse repeat. And this time I spent three hours trying to resolve it. They again swore it was taken care of.

Two months later, I get a notice from a collection agency saying this $25 bill has gone to collections. I don't know what to do and it is very frustrating. I'm being told by google that I need to file a police report and report identity theft. But that's not the issue. Or maybe it is… some random Verizon employee stole my identity?

Has anyone experienced this before? Should I file a police report? Should I just pay the small fee that I can easily afford? Should I ignore it? This is a gigantic hassle and I have NEVER been a Verizon customer. This has got to be fraudulent in some way.. maybe I should get the cops involved…

what do you all think?

EDITED TO ADD: Should I call the collection company and request any info they have and tell them I'm actively disputing the claim? Or should I remain silent? I hate the idea of talking to collections and don't want any communication to be seen as admission of guilt or anything.