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How to Accept Collect Calls on a Cell Phone for Free Image Credit: oatawa/iStock/GettyImagesA collect call occurs when a person calls someone else's phone, and the charges are applied to the answerer's phone bill. At one time, landlines made this easy, but Verizon's decision to discontinue collect calls reduces those options. Although most providers don't allow you to accept collect calls directly to a cellphone for free, cheap calling options are available.
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If you're on a cellphone plan that allows it, accepting collect calls is simple – but not free. You receive an incoming call with the automated system on the other end letting you know you have a collect call. You can choose to accept or decline it.
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If you accept it, you will see the call on your next phone bill. If you have AT&T, you'll pay $9.99 for up to 20 minutes of talk time. Any one can call you this way, with one exception: Collect calls can't be made from a pay phone to an AT&T phone.
Even with AT&T, one of the few cellphone providers that offer collect calling, the process isn't straightforward. Your friends or loved ones can't just place a collect call to your phone number. They must call 1-800-CALL-ATT and choose the Collect to Wireless option when prompted. They then enter your 10-digit wireless number to connect to you.
