Phone Bill Cramming
If
you looked at your phone bill and didn't know what charges were and paid
then anyway, you are a good target for cramming! Phone bill confusion turns
thousands of concerns into cramming victims every year. Its one of the fastest
growing complaints filed with the FCC.
Cramming is the illegal practice of placing
unauthorized, deceptive or misleading charges on phone bills. Most of the
time, these charges are buried in the phone bill or are worded using official
sounding names.
To avoid being crammed you need to inspect
your phone bill. Look for charges and services that you didn't request or
ones that are defined in general terms, like: Service Fee, Service Charge,
Expanded Calling Features, Voice Mail and Membership. These charges may be
legitimate but you are only responsible for them if you authorized them.
The following is the FCCs top recommendations
on how to prevent being a cramming victim.
-
Review your phone bill every month. Read each
line and make sure you know the names of the companies listed. Double check
their rates are what you were told originally. Also, make sure there are
not charges for calls you didn't make or services you didn't authorize.
-
If a description of a service on your bill
is unclear call the company that charged you and ask them to explain it.
Before you sign up for any kind of telephone or Internet service, read all
of the forms and promotional information available. Don't overlook the fine
print on any material.
-
Finally, use your power as a consumer to get
the best deal possible. If you think you are being charged incorrectly, start
shopping for a better service provider.
If you think you have been crammed you should
call the company that charged you and ask for an explanation. If the charges
are unauthorized ask for an adjustment. Then call and report the charges
to your local phone company and then ask how to remove these charges from
your bill.
If you still can't get the matter resolved
you should file a written complaint with the FCC. Most complaints are resolved
prior to this because the FCC has the power to levy havy fines on the company
placing unauthorized charges.
Send your written complaint(s) to:
FCC
Common Carrier Bureau
Consumer Complaints
Mail Stop Code 1066A2
Washington, D.C. 20554
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