Help! Can DISH take money from checking account?

[diyguy]

I have a friend who was making check payments on her roommate's DISH Network account. Well, her roommate moved out and my friend cancelled the service on her behalf.

Now there is a billing problem which my friend is not obligated to pay since it wasn't her account.

However, she is worried that since DISH Network converts check payments into electronic debit transactions that they will just "debit" the overdue balance from her checking account even without a signed paper check in their hands and even though it's not her DISH Network account.

Is it possible that they could take the money from my friend's checking account this way? Your fast replies will be appreciated!

[SatinKzo]

AFAIK, this is a state issue. In Michigan, I know for past due claims, they have allowed companies to come after the person responsible for the debt and hit any bank account held in the state. Usually this is for alimony and child support, but I have actually read reports of it being for simple utility bills too. So the big warning in the state now is in respect to estate planning for parents "Don't put your kids on your accounts cause if they become past-due, they can take money from that account if collections gets approval"

I don't think dish can go after it until at least 60 days past due, then collections gets involved. I still wouldn't think it would be for anyones account other than the account's registered owner.

if they did debit her account without written approval (a check) then I would say she has some legal ground to stand on.

Although, you mention that your friend cancelled the account on her behalf, so in essence, she committed fraud by impersonating her old roommate. I know she probably had her roommates permission and such, but why couldn't her roommate call and cancel it herself? I assume dish asked for some personal info to confirm cancellation etc and she had it since her friend gave it to her, but seems kinda odd.

[diyguy]

I still wouldn't think it would be for anyones account other than the account's registered owner.

Well, that's what I thought too until I read about Victoria Farrell who had made a couple of debit card payments for her friend, Carmen. DISH then came after Victoria's debit card for past due amounts owed by Carmen. And DISH claimed it was all legal!

P.S. This forum won't let me post the URL to the above story until I've made 5 posts! ROTFLOL!!!

[SatinKzo]

Wow, that would be an intersting precedence if taken to court. Did it go to court? I can claim anything is legal, but I think a judge/jury needs to address that.

[Iceberg]

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P.S. This forum won't let me post the URL to the above story until I've made 5 posts! ROTFLOL!!!

reason being was too many spammers

[GaryPen]

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