Beware of telephone scams

Beware of telephone scams

It’s illegal. It’s deceptive. It’s costly. But getting “slammed” (having your long-distance telephone carrier switched without your permission) is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Three of every five people surveyed by the National Consumers League report that they or someone they know has been a victim of slamming. Slamming ranks as the fifth most reported telemarketing incident by the National Consumers League. The growing number of slamming complaints suggests that this illegal practice costs customers more than $100 million each year. Current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations state that it is illegal for a company to switch your long distance service without a signed (or verbal and verified by a third party) authorization form from the consumer. To avoid getting slammed and joining the above statistics, consumers must first understand how it happens.

How it happens

Scenario #1: A telemarketer may call and try to switch you to a different long distance carrier. Even though you say “no,” there is a possibility that the person will switch you anyway.

Scenario #2: A check may arrive in the mail. By signing and cashing this check, you may be signing up for a new long distance carrier.

Scenario #3: Entering a contest may give you a chance to win a car or trip, or even the surprise (in fine print) of a new long distance carrier as well.

Various other slamming scenarios exist, including small companies that buy telephone service from larger carriers, such as AT&T, at wholesale rates and then resell this service at a retail rate. These carriers may try to confuse customers by associating the large carrier’s name with their own service and rates, which is like trying to compare apples to oranges.

How to avoid it

You are already on the right track to side-stepping a “slam” by educating yourself. Simply being aware that slamming can occur is important. Always read the fine print to find out exactly what it is you are signing up for. In addition, be certain to: Know who your current long distance carrier is. Call your local telephone company to find out.

Keep an eye on your telephone bills to see if your carrier changes or if the charges for your long distance calls increase significantly. The FCC requires carrier charges to be “clearly and conspicuously” indicated on all telephone bills.

Call your local telephone company and request a “carrier freeze.” Currently, your local company will switch you whenever a request is made by a long distance carrier. A call to your local telephone company is currently the only way to block a switch without your direct consent.

If you have been slammed

Call your local telephone company immediately and notify them that you did not authorize the switching of your long distance service, ask them to switch you back to your original carrier. You are not required to pay any fees associated with switching back to your original long distance telephone company. Also call your long distance company and make them aware of the slamming. Ask the company to make sure your account is in order and that you will not be penalized with charges resulting from the slamming.

The FCC issued new slamming rules effective November 28, 2000. Once a slamming complaint has been verified by the FCC, consumers are guaranteed compensation.

Consumers who have been slammed and have not paid the unauthorized carrier, will not be responsible to pay for service for up to 30 days after the slam occurred.

Consumers who have been slammed and have paid the unauthorized carrier will receive a 50 percent reimbursement of all paid charges. The rules require the unauthorized carrier to pay 150 percent of all charges to your authorized carrier, which in turn is responsible for reimbursing you 50 percent of those same charges.

To report an unauthorized carrier, or if you think you’ve been slammed, you can call:

Attorney General: 1-800-282-0515 (toll free)

FCC: 1-888-225-5322 (toll free)

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