Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

collect calls accepted by third party-- liability?

Over the summer I was petsitting for a friend, while this friend was working out of state.

I ended up running up a gigantic long distance phone bill (collect calls).

MY Questions Are....

1.) Would it be possible for me to some how assume the debt?/ Have the debt put in my name?

2.) Where can I find the regulations that govern rates/charges for these (or similar) types of collect calls? ...U.S.C.'s for example?

In Washington.... If someone makes pay-per-call type calls (such as 900#'s, etc) on your phone without your knowledge/consent you can dispute the charges on your bill and potentially not be held liable for these types of calls.

Wouldn't Collect Calls Constitute a Pay-Per-Call type of Call???

The following INFO may/may not be relevant in answering my ?'s above......

I did not ask my friend if I could accept these calls at his house, but figured it wouldn't be a problem because I planned to pay for the calls. However, I was obviously oblivious to what each call was going to cost, for had I known (had the cost for each call been disclosed up front) I wouldn't have accepted quite so many of them.

We are talking more than $20 per each 20 minute call.

Sincerely:

kblowers


Asked on 1/29/04, 2:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Matthew King Wershow & Ritter, Inc. P.S.

Re: collect calls accepted by third party-- liability?

You can sign a contract between you and your friend, however, the telephone company does not have to accept the contract as an assignment of the debt. This means that they can sue your friend, and then your friend can sue you on the basis of the contract. I recommend an immediate payment of all the overdue phone charges so that your friend's credit rating is not impaired by a judgment against him by the phone company.

Read more
Answered on 2/02/04, 10:23 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Consumer Law questions and answers in Washington