Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 14-1322 - Third-Party Vendor Billing

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
        (2)    “Billing agent” means a person that submits charges for products or services to a telephone company or reseller on behalf of the person submitting the charges or on behalf of a third–party vendor.
        (3)    “Customer” means a customer of a telephone company or reseller.
        (4)    “Express authorization” means an express, affirmative act by an ordering customer in the form of:
            (i)    A written authorization;
            (ii)    An oral authorization verified and recorded by an independent party; or
            (iii)    A recorded electronic authorization.
        (5)    “Ordering customer” means a customer or another person ordering services that will appear on the customer’s telephone bill.
        (6)    “Reseller” means a person that provides wireline telephone voice service by using the transmission facilities of another person.
        (7)    “Telephone company” means a person that provides wireline telephone voice services.
        (8)    “Third–party vendor” means an entity not affiliated with a telephone company or reseller that:
            (i)    Provides products or services to a customer; and
            (ii)    Seeks to charge the customer through third–party vendor billing.
        (9)    (i)    “Third–party vendor billing” means the use of a telephone company’s or reseller’s billing system, either directly or through a billing agent, to charge a customer for products or services provided by a third–party vendor.
            (ii)    “Third–party vendor billing” does not include billing for:
                1.    Products or services offered by, or bundled with the products or services of, a telephone company, a reseller, or an affiliate of a telephone company or reseller;
                2.    Long distance services that a customer initiates by dialing 1+, 0+, 0–, or 1010XXX; or
                3.    Commercial mobile radio services.
    (b)    Unless the third–party vendor or billing agent first obtains an ordering customer’s express authorization, a third–party vendor or billing agent may not submit charges to a telephone company or reseller.
    (c)    The express authorization required under subsection (b) of this section shall:
        (1)    Be separate from any solicitation material or entry forms for sweepstakes or contests; and
        (2)    Include:
            (i)    The name and telephone number of the ordering customer;
            (ii)    The date of authorization;
            (iii)    An explanation of:
                1.    The product or service offered; and
                2.    All applicable charges; and
            (iv)    An affirmation by the ordering customer that:
                1.    The ordering customer is at least 18 years of age and authorized to order services that will appear on the customer’s telephone bill; and
                2.    Third–party vendor billing charges may be billed using the customer’s telephone bill.
    (d)    A third–party vendor or billing agent shall retain a copy of the express authorization required under subsection (b) of this section for 2 years after the date of authorization.
    (e)    A customer is not liable for third–party vendor billing charges unless:
        (1)    The customer has been given notice that the telephone company or reseller may allow third–party vendor billing and that free blocking of certain third–party vendor billing may be available to the customer; and
        (2)    The customer is provided access to:
            (i)    An itemization of the third–party vendor billing charges identifying them separately from other charges; and
            (ii)    The name and telephone number of the third–party vendor or its billing agent.
    (f)    Unless the third–party vendor or billing agent provides a copy of the authorization required under subsection (b) of this section to the customer and to the telephone company or reseller, a customer is not liable for third–party vendor billing charges if the customer, in good faith and in a reasonably timely manner, but not outside the time period specified in subsection (d) of this section, disputes that the charges were authorized.
    (g)    An agreement for third–party vendor billing entered into by a telephone company or reseller and a third–party vendor or billing agent on or after October 1, 2010, is void and unenforceable to the extent that it does not require the third–party vendor to comply with subsection (b) of this section.
    (h)    A violation of this section by a third–party vendor or billing agent:
        (1)    Is an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Title 13 of this article; and
        (2)    Except for the provisions of § 13–411 of this article, is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of this article.

Structure Maryland Statutes

Maryland Statutes

Commercial Law

Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions

Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 14-1301 - Definitions

Section 14-1302 - Preservation of Consumers' Claims and Defenses in Consumer Credit Contracts

Section 14-1303 - Waiver by Consumer Invalid in Certain Replevin Actions

Section 14-1304 - Unsolicited Sending of Merchandise

Section 14-1305 - Credit Card Issued Without Request

Section 14-1306 - Extension of Appliance Service Contract

Section 14-1307 - Ladders Capable of Conducting Electricity

Section 14-1308 - Processing Instructions on Certain Photographic Film

Section 14-1309 - Stoves and Freestanding Fireplaces

Section 14-1310 - Unvented Portable Kerosene-Fired Heaters

Section 14-1311 - Extended Warranties

Section 14-1312 - Return of Checks

Section 14-1313 - Unsolicited Facsimile Transmissions

Section 14-1314 - Security Systems

Section 14-1315 - Late Fees

Section 14-1316 - Limitation on Recovering of Bedding

Section 14-1317 - Receiving Consigned Goods From Transporter

Section 14-1318 - Printing Payment Device Numbers on Receipts

Section 14-1319 - Gift Certificates

Section 14-1320 - Gift Card

Section 14-1321 - Merchant Contact Information for Internet Sales Contracts

Section 14-1322 - Third-Party Vendor Billing

Section 14-1323 - Credit Card Blacklisting Prevention

Section 14-1324 - "Mug Shot" Web Sites

Section 14-1325 - Nondisparagement Clauses in Consumer Contracts

Section 14-1326 - Caller Id Spoofing Ban