Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Michigan

Collection agency sent me bill which I dispute (for a phone call)

The phone company charged me a high rate because they swear that I did not dial a prefix before dialing the international phone #. So instead of paying $6 as I expected, the bill was $78. I swear that I did dial the prefix before making this call. It was given to a collection agency, who rasied the total to $114. I wrote a letter of dispute to the collection agency, and then they did not contact me anymore. Now, 6 months later, I received a bill for the same amount from a second collection agency. Am I required to pay this? What will happen if I do not pay it? Thank you.


Asked on 4/24/02, 1:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gregory J. Roth Gregory J. Roth, PLLC

Re: Collection agency sent me bill which I dispute (for a phone call)

Do the same thing as before. Write a letter to the collection agency (do this within 30 days from your receipt of the bill/notice) indicating that you are disputing the debt. The collection agency must then provide you with validation/proof of the debt(and documentation to support the same). The collection agency must cease any and all collection on the disputed amount until it does this. Wait for the response, if any. You are not obligated to pay on an unverified, disputed debt. Additionally, if you owe other valid amounts to the same phone company, the debt collector may not apply payments on valid amounts to the disputed debt. If you have further questions, please contact me at [email protected] or consult my attorney profile.

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Answered on 4/24/02, 4:16 pm


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