Carefully Check over your Statements

AT&T Leases Push-Button Phone For Over $7,500 To Elderly

AT&T leased a crappy old-school phone to an elderly gentleman for over $7500 over a span of 30-plus years, his son just discovered.

Kimdog writes:

"Recently, my boyfriend has been helping his 88 year old father with bills and other financial matters. Upon reviewing his dad's phone bill, he found something horrifying. His parents had been leasing two ratty push button phones from AT&T at the rate of ...$10 a month per phone... They've probably been doing so since the 60's, so we figure that they've paid well over $7500 for the "use" of these phones."

When Kim's boyfriend called to cancel the leasing service, AT&T sent two postage-paid mailers for return of the phones. If they don't return the phones, AT&T will charge them for the "cost of the equipment."

If your grandparents or elderly friends have an old phone and haven't moved in over 20 years, check their phone bill to make sure they're not still renting their phone. — BEN POPKEN

You know I preach to look over your statements carefully. I must have 2-3 entries about it a week. Really it's very important and can save you tons of money in the long run.

Take this example above. Baby Bell's broke up in the early 80's (maybe 1983?) so really this man has been leasing his equipment unnecessarily 26-27 years. Even if he wanted to wait a few years to see if the phones being sold were the same quality that's still 24-25 years. Yes he's 86 years old now but 25 years ago he was 61 years old. Not that old really. Barring any mental conditions he should have been able to read a bill and make a decision.

I hate when people cry "elderly abuse". People still have responsibility for their own affairs. If and when they aren't then family members should take over. In this case many years ago.

When I worked in the billing department, I was appalled at the charges that older people would accept for gosh only knows what. I'd ask questions and of course it would end up being that a marketer called to make an offer, the customer declined, the marketer kept talking until just to get them off the phone the customer agreed. They didn't know what they agreed to until they get the next phone bill. Since we had 3rd party billing, we collected the charges. Typically $30-$60 per month. Every month. Just because the person wouldn't hang up the phone. I'd say "ma'am when you GET a call you didn't ask for and you don't want what they are selling--HANG UP THE PHONE". I can't believe how many people (women especially) who were shocked by my suggestion. That's not the way they were raised to use the telephone.

For homework today--I would check your parents, grandparents and inlaws phone bills, electric bills, everything. Better safe than sorry.


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