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WHAT
YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TELEPHONE FRAUD!
MANY
CHOICES, MORE COMPETITION
The
telecommunications landscape has dramatically changed since the days of "Ma
Bell." Gone are the days when
one telephone company handled all of our telephone needs.
As
a consumer, you now have choices as to who will provide your local and
long-distance telephone service. And
this opportunity to choose may mean lower prices. Competition promises many benefits.
But
as competition for telephone service services grows, so does the potential for
fraudulent activity. And for
consumers, this activity comes in the form of "Slamming" and "Cramming."
BEEN
SWITCHED WITHOUT PERMISSION?
"Slamming"
is the unauthorized switching of a person or end user's local and/or long
distance telephone service. You've
been slammed if your local or long distance telephone service has been changed
without your knowledge or permission.
PAYING
FOR SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T ORDER?
"Cramming"
is the billing for products or services never ordered.
If you are being billed for something that was never authorized by you or
someone you know, such as Caller ID, Internet access, or an additional telephone
line, or any other telecommunications related service or product, it's likely
that you've been crammed.
PROTECT
YOURSELF!
What
YOU can do to prevent Slamming and Cramming
You can "freeze" your existing local or long-distance carrier.
Placing a freeze on your service will prevent unscrupulous companies
from tampering with your account. Contact
your local telephone service provider for information.
Review your monthly telephone statements carefully for billing errors
and service provider changes. If
you see anything unusual, report them to your local service provider.
If your telephone service has been changed without your permission, inform
the provider listed on your statement of the unauthorized change.
Then contact your local phone company to verify that your problem has
been corrected.
When signing your name to any type of sweepstakes, promotional offer, or
contest, read the fine print. You
could be giving authorization to make changes to your telephone service.
STEPS
TO TAKE IF YOU'VE BEEN SLAMMED OR CRAMMED?
Inform your local telephone company that the changes made to your account
were not authorized, and that you'd like to be reconnected to your previous
service provider or to have the unordered services or products removed from
your account.
If you are unable to resolve the issue with your local service provider, you
may contact the Tennessee Regulatory Authority at 1-800-342-8359 to file a
formal complaint, or you may file a complaint electronically.
