Is there a law on who pays for unauthorized use of a 1-900 numbers?

Question

If minors dial 1-900 calls form your phone, unauthorized, are you liable to pay the bill. Is there a law concerning this?

Answer 1

yes. the law states that you are not responsible for non basic charges to your phone. if there is a 900 number billed to your phone you can call the telephone company and tell them you will not pay it. you can ask for them to put a block on 900 #'s on your phone, but more than likely they will do this for you. a telephone company can try, but is not legally entitled to collect money from anyone disputing their for bill, other than for basic long distance charges.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, the only law that applies is the one that states that the owner of the phone line is responsible for any and all use of the line. How can you prove to them that you or someone else didn't make that phone call? Just because you know you don't lie and wouldn't have called that number, how do they know that? As someone suggested, they may make a exception and an adjustment if you call, but they don't have to. There are things you can do to protect yourself from someone doing that in the future, but I bet after this episode, that particular minor will think twice before dialing 1-900-hot mama again.

Answer 3

Who ever has the account in their name is liable for the charges. You can however have 900/976 calls blocked by the telephone company. A simple phone call, or even perhaps going on line and changing your options is all you have to do.

Answer 4

I have seen phone companies void the bill, once. After that you will be charged. I don't have any kids at home and I still have 900 numbers blocked from my phone. It's easier to prevent it than fight it.

Answer 5

The person who's phone it was called from. You may want to your local phone company to see if there is any thing you can get done about it, but if they made it from your phone then most likely you have to pay for it. The vendor has no way of knowing who made the call other than it came from you phone.

Answer 6

if you didn't know that the call was an 900 number you can
usually get it waved *once* you will have to talk to the phone company billing department rep they can advise you better

Answer 7

You are expected to be in control of your own phone. Therefor, your phone, your bill. If the minor is a neighbour kid, or a friend of your kid, talk to the parent about reimbursing you.
In Canada, you have the right to dispute the bill, once and once only. It can be waived if the dispute is reasonable.

Answer 8

You make the call, you pay. Makes sense.