Q: Is it legal for a receptionist to discuss your balance due loudly for others to hear?
I went to my appointment and went to check in. She asked name and then said are you aware of the balance you owe. I said yes. She said a balance of 200+ loudly and asked if I was going to pay. I said not right now but in a few days. I don’t think that is legal and if it is , well it feels like it shouldn’t.
A: This is no different than a cashier at a fast food restaurant, grocery store, or retail store telling you the the total amount owed for a purchase. No reasonable person overhearing the conversation would consider it defamatory or really think anything much about it. Her telling you your balance in no way harms you, costs you any additional money, or causes any sort of harm to you. Of course it is legal.
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