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Slamming | |
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Slamming "Slamming" is the illegal practice of changing a consumer's telephone service - local, intralata service, or interlata service (including state to state, in state and international long distance) - without permission. The Commission's slamming liability rules provide a remedy if you've been slammed and take the profit out of slamming for telephone companies. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau will also take action against slammers. These rules apply to slamming violations that occur on or after November 28, 2000. (For slamming violations that occurred before that date, you can still file a complaint with the Commission. See information telephone number listed below.)
You may file a complaint with the relevant state agency or with the FCC (see below). If you find that you have been slammed, and you have NOT paid the bill of the carrier who slammed you:
If you HAVE paid your phone bill and then discover that you have been slammed:
With these rules, the Commission has taken the profit out of slamming and protected consumers from illegal charges.
If your telephone company has been changed without your permission:
See if your state is listed below. If it is, click on the state name to get directions on how to file your complaint. These states and commonwealths have agreed to handle your complaint. If your state is not listed above, file your complaint with the FCC. The best way to provide all the information needed for the FCC to process your slamming complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint Form 501 found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm; emailing slamming@fcc.gov; faxing 202-418-0035; or writing to: Federal Communications Commission If you file your complaint using Form 501 or by sending an e-mail, you must attach an electronic copy of any bill you are complaining about to the Form 501 or the e-mail. If you do not use the on-line complaint Form 501, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:
REMEMBER: You MUST include a copy of any bill you are complaining about. Please indicate on the copy of any bill the name of the unauthorized phone company and the disputed charges.
For futher information contact the FCC's Consumer Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC (voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY). |
last reviewed/updated on 8/22/08 |
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