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I don't understand. A collect call (in The Netherlands) would just move the costs of the call to the reciever.

Why is it beneficial to call an answering machine and have its owners pay for it?

Presumably a collect call that connects to a premium number, a service offered by some providers that allows collecting fees for receiving calls (dial-to-enter competitions and info services)

"third party payer"

What is that?

Usually A calls B, and B accepts the charges. In this case, A calls B and then C is contacted to accept the charge.

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