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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    1

    Exclamation Ex-Roommate, Left Us with Inflated Phone Bill

    My question involves small claims court in the state of: Pennsylvania

    In July, my current Roomie A, thought he was being a good friend and brought Roomie B into our house from Massachusetts, she had lost her job and had to move out of her apartment. She understood that she was to put in for bills/rent/etc, within 2 weeks she was employed with Roomie A, and within 4 weeks she was drunk every day, including at work, and was kicked out for deliberately destroying some of his personal property. (the property had little value aside from sentimental)

    She was able to shack up with someone in Michigan. Shortly afterward she emailed us out of the blue and demanded clothing she believes, and had, left here. She agreed to pay us back for the bus in exchange for the clothing. A few days later we got our phone bill and she had rung up 400 dollars in international calls (supposedly a fiance or boyfriend) When I emailed her asking for her to pay her part of the phone bill, she clammed up. In total, we're asking for 560.

    We have a fair amount of proof of her being here at the time the calls were made and that she is the one who made them. We are considering using the list of domestic numbers she called when she left to inquire as to her whereabouts/contact number and to possibly deliver the message to her about the phone bill. I have also just shot her an email asking for her to reply within a few days to arrange a payment plan, and that we're considering legal action.

    What, if anything, can I do or do I need to fill out a claim aside from what I have mentioned? Since PA is one of the few states that does not allow wage garnishment for repayment (as far as I have found), how else might I be able to collect? Since she does have connection to another country and a passport, I worry that she is also a flight risk, is there something that can be done for that as well?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Ex-Roommate, Left Us with Inflated Phone Bill

    What, if anything, can I do or do I need to fill out a claim aside from what I have mentioned? Since PA is one of the few states that does not allow wage garnishment for repayment (as far as I have found), how else might I be able to collect?
    You have a larger issue to contend with.

    You will not be able to file in your local small claims court. Rather, you'll need to file in the jurisdiction in which she lives in Michigan.

    Since she does have connection to another country and a passport, I worry that she is also a flight risk, is there something that can be done for that as well?
    No, there is not. Small claims court does not concern itself with "flight risk", and certainly not for so small a sum. (Yes, I know, it's a lot of money for you to have to shoulder, but for the purposes of the court, it's really not all that much.)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    CT & IL
    Posts
    5,273

    Default Re: Ex-Roommate, Left Us with Inflated Phone Bill

    Quote Quoting LawResearcherMissy
    View Post
    You have a larger issue to contend with.

    You will not be able to file in your local small claims court. Rather, you'll need to file in the jurisdiction in which she lives in Michigan.



    No, there is not. Small claims court does not concern itself with "flight risk", and certainly not for so small a sum. (Yes, I know, it's a lot of money for you to have to shoulder, but for the purposes of the court, it's really not all that much.)
    Wrong ... you can sue out of state people ... just different service is required

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