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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)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Webmaster and owner of
www.TheLowestRates.Com,
LLC Your residential long distance phone service internet and
travel source.
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