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WHAT IS SLAMMING? |
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| Slamming is the term used when your local or long distance carrier is illegally changed without your consent. | ||
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HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? |
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| There are a number of ways unethical sales people can cause your phone service to be switched without your knowledge. The Federal Communications Commission allows companies to use telemarketing techniques to solicit your business. Telemarketers can cause your phone service to be switched by getting you to say "yes" during a telemarketing call. Also, you can inadvertently agree to switch your carrier by signing a card to enter a sweepstakes. In some circumstances, failure to return a postage-paid card within a certain number of days will trigger an unauthorized change. Sometimes a family member or office associate unknowingly authorizes the change. | ||
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HOW DO I KNOW I'VE BEEN SLAMMED? |
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| Usually you find out your carrier has been switched when you look at the long distance portion of your phone bill and realize your normal carrier has been replaced by another. The new carrier may charge higher rates and you could be facing a higher bill. | ||
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WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT SLAMMING? |
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Read your phone bill carefully each month. Make
sure your local and long distance carriers are the ones you have chosen. Be
familiar with the various charges and services. Also, you can call 1-700-555-4141
and a recording will tell you which long distance carrier is connected to your
line.
If you are slammed, call your local phone company and request Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC) protection on your phone line(s). A PIC freeze prohibits any change in long distance carriers without your express authorization. Take preventive steps by educating your family and office associates. Only one person should have the authority to change your home or business phone company. Make sure everyone knows what to do if they receive calls regarding telephone service. | ||
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THE PUCN WILL HELP |
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The Public Utilities
Commission of Nevada's Division of Consumer Complaint Resolution is here to
help. In addition to tracking which companies are using misleading or fraudulent
tactics, we can work with your long distance and local carriers to return you to your
carrier of choice without any charge. We will work to obtain any refunds you are
owed due to higher charges.
Call us. We have offices in Carson City (775) 684-6100; and Las Vegas (702) 486-2600. | ||
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DO ANY CONSUMER SAFEGUARDS EXIST? |
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| Both the PUCN and FCC have rules that carriers should follow when soliciting a customer to switch phone companies. The rules say the customer is entitled to receive confirmation of his requested switch in writing, by calling an 800 verification number and/or by having an independent third party verify the change. However, these consumer safeguards are increasingly being violated as carriers compete for new customers in the competitive telecommunications markets. | ||
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WHAT IS CRAMMING? |
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| Some companies also try to bill you for other calling services which you did not request. This practice is known as "cramming." The best defense is to listen carefully to sales pitches and closely review monthly bills. Whenever filling out sweepstakes entries, read the fine print. | ||
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WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? |
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You need to be a savvy phone customer. Ask
questions. Never allow your service to be changed unless you fully understand the
new rates and services you will be receiving. Sometimes there is a charge to switch
phone companies. You need to know the amount of the charge and whether you or
the new carrier will pay it.
Do not give out your credit card numbers, Social Security number, or other personal information over the phone to an unknown caller. Also, protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or any other personal information from an unknown caller. You can also instruct a telemarketer to be put on the telemarketer's "do not call" list. | ||
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FINES / PENALTIES |
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Phone companies that break the rules and engage
in illegal switching are subject to fines up to $100,000 per offense by the
Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC's toll free number is 1-888-225-5322.
They also can be prohibited from doing any business within Nevada. If you've been slammed, we need to know. | ||
