{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-479.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-479.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-479.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-479.3.html"}],"law_id":62586,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62586,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.3","catch_line":"Authorization and verification for products, goods, and services to be billed on a telephone bill","history":"2010, c. 322.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Billing agent” means any entity that submits charges for products, goods, or services to the billing carrier on behalf of itself or any service provider.\n\t\t\t“Billing carrier” means any telephone company that issues a telephone bill directly to customers.\n\t\t\t“Service provider” means any entity that offers products, goods, and services to a customer and that directly or indirectly charges to or collects from a customer’s bill received from a billing carrier an amount for such products, goods, or services.B\n\nThis section does not apply to (i) products, goods, or services offered by or bundled with the services of a telephone company or its affiliates; (ii) telephone calls that are customer initiated by dialing 1+, 0+, 0-, or 1010XXX or that a customer accepts as collect; or (iii) commercial mobile radio services.C\n\nNo service provider or billing agent shall willfully (i) add products, goods, or services not authorized by any customer or (ii) charge or attempt to collect charges from any customer for any such products, goods, or services without the customer’s authorization. A customer is not liable for an amount charged through a billing carrier by a service provider or a billing agent without the authorization of the customer.D\n\nA service provider or billing agent shall obtain verification of a customer’s authorization before submitting charges for products, goods, or services directly or indirectly to the billing carrier. The verification may be in written, oral, or electronic form and shall be verified by an independent third party. The service provider shall retain the verification for a minimum of two years.E\n\nA billing carrier shall not enter into an agreement to bill for any charges for products, goods, or services for a service provider or billing agent unless that agreement requires the service provider or billing agent to comply with subsection D.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228226,"text":"As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Billing agent” means any entity that submits charges for products, goods, or services to the billing carrier on behalf of itself or any service provider.\n\t\t\t“Billing carrier” means any telephone company that issues a telephone bill directly to customers.\n\t\t\t“Service provider” means any entity that offers products, goods, and services to a customer and that directly or indirectly charges to or collects from a customer’s bill received from a billing carrier an amount for such products, goods, or services.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":228227,"text":"This section does not apply to (i) products, goods, or services offered by or bundled with the services of a telephone company or its affiliates; (ii) telephone calls that are customer initiated by dialing 1+, 0+, 0-, or 1010XXX or that a customer accepts as collect; or (iii) commercial mobile radio services.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":228228,"text":"No service provider or billing agent shall willfully (i) add products, goods, or services not authorized by any customer or (ii) charge or attempt to collect charges from any customer for any such products, goods, or services without the customer’s authorization. A customer is not liable for an amount charged through a billing carrier by a service provider or a billing agent without the authorization of the customer.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":228229,"text":"A service provider or billing agent shall obtain verification of a customer’s authorization before submitting charges for products, goods, or services directly or indirectly to the billing carrier. The verification may be in written, oral, or electronic form and shall be verified by an independent third party. The service provider shall retain the verification for a minimum of two years.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":228230,"text":"A billing carrier shall not enter into an agreement to bill for any charges for products, goods, or services for a service provider or billing agent unless that agreement requires the service provider or billing agent to comply with subsection D.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13124,"edition_id":1,"name":"Supervision by Commission","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13123,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":249901,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13124,"identifier":"3","token":"56\/15\/3","url":"\/56\/15\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13123,"edition_id":1,"name":"Telegraph and Telephone Companies","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":249827,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13123,"identifier":"15","token":"56\/15","url":"\/56\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68778,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-478","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-478\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-478","metadata":false},{"id":76714,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-478.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-478.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-478.1","metadata":false},{"id":55155,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479","catch_line":"Commission to make rules; require connection between companies; inspect lines and buildings","url":"\/56-479\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479","metadata":false},{"id":71000,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.1","catch_line":"Long distance service; change of carriers; prior authorization","url":"\/56-479.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.1","metadata":false},{"id":65935,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.2","catch_line":"Anti-competitive acts; injunctive relief","url":"\/56-479.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.2","metadata":false},{"id":62586,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.3","catch_line":"Authorization and verification for products, goods, and services to be billed on a telephone bill","url":"\/56-479.3\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.3","metadata":false},{"id":75146,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-479.4","catch_line":"Designation of eligible telecommunications carrier for purposes of providing Lifeline service","url":"\/56-479.4\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.4","metadata":false},{"id":81279,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-480","catch_line":"Rates, etc., on file with Commission not to be questioned in courts; revision; proof","url":"\/56-480\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-480","metadata":false},{"id":82603,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-480.1","catch_line":"Time limit on institution of approved rates","url":"\/56-480.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-480.1","metadata":false},{"id":61400,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-480.2","catch_line":"Operator assistance at pay stations","url":"\/56-480.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-480.2","metadata":false},{"id":70696,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-481\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481","metadata":false},{"id":64697,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481.1","catch_line":"Rates, charges, and regulations for interexchange telephone service","url":"\/56-481.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.1","metadata":false},{"id":58465,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-481.2","catch_line":"Rates, charges and regulations for local exchange telephone services provided by new entrants","url":"\/56-481.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-481.2","metadata":false},{"id":70457,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482","catch_line":"Agreements between telephone companies to be submitted to Commission","url":"\/56-482\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482","metadata":false},{"id":78090,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482.1","catch_line":"Reports required of interexchange telephone companies","url":"\/56-482.1\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482.1","metadata":false},{"id":69467,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-482.2","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/56-482.2\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-482.2","metadata":false},{"id":60571,"structure_id":13124,"section_number":"56-483","catch_line":"Refusal or neglect to make reports; 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This law was first created in 2010. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 322<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":249923,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62586,"identifier":"56-479.3","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.3","url":"\/56-479.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-479.3\/","token":"56\/15\/3\/56-479.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authorization and verification for products, goods, and services to be billed on a telephone bill","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-479.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Billing agent<\/span>” means any entity that submits charges for products, goods, or services to the billing carrier<\/span> on behalf of itself or any service provider<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Billing carrier<\/span>” means any telephone company<\/span> that issues<\/span> a telephone bill directly to customers.\n\t\t\t“Service provider<\/span>” means any entity that offers products, goods, and services to a customer and that directly or indirectly charges to or collects from a customer’s bill received from a billing carrier<\/span> an amount for such products, goods, or services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> This section does not apply to (i) products, goods, or services offered by or bundled with the services of a telephone company<\/span> or its affiliates; (ii) telephone calls that are customer initiated by dialing 1+, 0+, 0-, or 1010XXX or that a customer accepts as collect; or (iii) commercial mobile radio services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No service provider<\/span> or billing agent<\/span> shall willfully (i) add products, goods, or services not authorized by any customer or (ii) charge or attempt to collect charges from any customer for any such products, goods, or services without the customer’s authorization. A customer is not liable for an amount charged through a billing carrier<\/span> by a service provider<\/span> or a billing agent<\/span> without the authorization of the customer. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A service provider<\/span> or billing agent<\/span> shall obtain verification of a customer’s authorization before submitting charges for products, goods, or services directly or indirectly to the billing carrier<\/span>. The verification may be in written, oral, or electronic form and shall be verified by an independent third party<\/span>. The service provider<\/span> shall retain the verification for a minimum of two years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A billing carrier<\/span> shall not enter into an agreement to bill for any charges for products, goods, or services for a service provider<\/span> or billing agent<\/span> unless that agreement requires the service provider<\/span> or billing agent<\/span> to comply with subsection D. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORIZATION AND VERIFICATION FOR PRODUCTS, GOODS, AND SERVICES TO BE BILLED ON\nA TELEPHONE BILL (\u00a7 56-479.3)\n\nA. As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t\t“Billing agent” means any entity that submits charges for\nproducts, goods, or services to the billing carrier on behalf of itself or any\nservice provider.\n\t\t\t“Billing carrier” means any telephone company that issues a\ntelephone bill directly to customers.\n\t\t\t“Service provider” means any entity that offers products, goods,\nand services to a customer and that directly or indirectly charges to or\ncollects from a customer’s bill received from a billing carrier an amount\nfor such products, goods, or services.\n\nB. This section does not apply to (i) products, goods, or services offered by or\nbundled with the services of a telephone company or its affiliates; (ii)\ntelephone calls that are customer initiated by dialing 1+, 0+, 0-, or 1010XXX or\nthat a customer accepts as collect; or (iii) commercial mobile radio services.\n\nC. No service provider or billing agent shall willfully (i) add products, goods,\nor services not authorized by any customer or (ii) charge or attempt to collect\ncharges from any customer for any such products, goods, or services without the\ncustomer’s authorization. A customer is not liable for an amount charged\nthrough a billing carrier by a service provider or a billing agent without the\nauthorization of the customer.\n\nD. A service provider or billing agent shall obtain verification of a\ncustomer’s authorization before submitting charges for products, goods, or\nservices directly or indirectly to the billing carrier. The verification may be\nin written, oral, or electronic form and shall be verified by an independent\nthird party. The service provider shall retain the verification for a minimum of\ntwo years.\n\nE. A billing carrier shall not enter into an agreement to bill for any charges\nfor products, goods, or services for a service provider or billing agent unless\nthat agreement requires the service provider or billing agent to comply with\nsubsection D.\n\nHISTORY: 2010, c. 322.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}