I recently signed for a cell phone for my friend, and he doesnt pay for his part of the bill, what can I do?

Question

The phone is in my name, and hasn't been paid on in over 3 months. The bill is currently at 1,000 dollars and I have no way to contact him because the phones are shut off. He ran up the bill month after month with text messaging and told me over and over that he would pay me, but never did. Another reason I can't get ahold of him is because he is enlisted in the Army and last I knew he had reported to boot camp, but I am unsure of when he will be returning. I have tried contacting his parents, but they ignored my letters. I need help, this is putting a hurting on my credit.

Answer 1

Never put your name on something you aren't going to be directly responsible for, all I can tell you is that when he gets back give him one more chance to pay it and if he refuses, take him to small clams court, since the bill is in your name you're responsible for it, sorry.

Answer 2

Wow, $1000 is a lot of money but you are in luck because it is small enough where you can take him to small claims court.

First thing you need to do is report the cell phone lost so they will temporary disconnect the number, you dont want to cancel the number yet because you may have to pay the early termination fee. If your cell phone service is GSM (ie. Tmobile or Cingular) you can just cancel the SIM card and get another SIM card for under $20 some case free. This way your friend can not continue to use the cell phone. If you have Verizon which is a TDMA service you still need to report it lost. It may help if you just cancel the contract and pay the Early Termination Fee rather than pay the monthly service contract if you can't find someone else to take over the phone.

As far as getting your money back. Print out documentations of phone records of the phone number that he use and file a small claims court case. You will likely will get the money back.

Meanwhile you have to pay the bill to the cell phone company because when you signed the contract your name was on it so you are directly responsible for the charges regardless who uses it.

Answer 3

Pay the $1000 and think of it as a expensive lesson learned. You got screwed over and there is no way for you to really fix that since all the liability is on you because it's in your name. You have no proof that he actually said he would pay for it or that he didn't. It's you word against his so you can't win. If your lucky you can get on "Judge Judy" or another show like that and get a free trip and hopefully all of your money back. In addition if you want to try and get him back, if you can come up with a professional letter, you can mail it to the army and I don't know what it will do but it can't be helpful.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, you have to pay the bill. One lesson we learn in life, is to not co sign for anyone. You can call the company and have the phone discontinued, as this will prevent him from running the bill up even more.

Answer 5

It's in your name- you should have had it turned off at the $300 mark or so. You'll have to keep paying the monthly minimum, and some towards the total, but if you work with the phone company to alleviate the debt they should be willing to help.

Answer 6

Well if the phone is in your name then just disconnect it! now the bill is another thing, hope you can get things worked out somehow...good luck.

Answer 7

pay off the side of your bill and leave your friends phone off until he coughs up the money.and if he still does'nt get a lawsuit against him. vote for me

Answer 8

I would cancel the account. O well if hes ur friend its hurting u and hes not doing anything about it just cancel it and have him pay u his fee later or somthing.