Robo-collectors warned, prepaid customers shielded: two federal appeals courts …– Lexology (registration)

Dear Savvy Senior,

What are the cheapest cellphone options available today to seniors living on a shoestring budget? I only need it for occasional calls.

-Seldom Calling Senior

Dear Seldom,

For financially challenged seniors who only want a cellphone for emergency purposes or occasional calls, there are a number of inexpensive no-contract plans you can get.

Or, depending on your income level, there are also free cellphones and monthly airtime minutes you may qualify for. Here’s where to find some of the cheapest deals.

No-contract phones

One way infrequent cellphone users can save money is with a prepaid cellphone – also known as pay-as-you-go phones.

With a prepaid phone there’s no contract, no fixed monthly bills, no credit checks and no hidden costs that come with traditional cellphone plans.

With this type of service, you buy a special prepaid phone then pre-purchase a certain amount of minutes (for talk or text) that must be used within a specified period of time.

While most major carriers like AT&…………………continues on Edmonds Beacon