For Immediate Release	CONTACT:	Holly Anderson, ext. 114
January 21, 1998
		(202) 835-3323

NCL UNVEILS SURVIVAL GUIDE TO FIGHT THE GROWING PROBLEM OF PHONE BILL SCAMS

CHICAGO...JANUARY 21 . . . Increased phone choices and third-party billing have led to consumer confusion and complaints, according to the National Consumers League which runs the National Fraud Information Center. To help consumers resolve and avoid phone scams the League today unveiled a new survival guide called "You Make the Call."

"Scams like slamming and cramming are climbing up the NFIC complaint charts and have reached national proportions," stated NCL Vice President Susan Grant. "The survival guide provides consumers with the tools they need to stop these frauds."

"The survival guide is an excellent resource for the growing number of consumers who need help understanding what services are available and how to select a service provider," according to Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine. "It is also helpful to consumers by providing information about remedies to seek if they believe they have been defrauded."

NFIC statistics reflect that Illinois was second to California in slamming cases in 1997. Overall, slamming was the sixth most common complaint received by the Fraud Center. NFIC has been tracking cramming complaints for 10 weeks, and most complaints have come from Illinois.

Phone slamming is the unauthorized switching of your long distance or regional phone service. Cramming occurs when consumers are charged for optional phone services without prior agreement. Cramming charges, for services such as voice mail, paging, a personal 800 number and club memberships, are assessed by third parties and billed through local phone carriers.

A recent NCL-sponsored Louis Harris and Associates poll showed that 71 percent of consumers are confused by the daily bombardment of new products and services from telephone companies.

To help consumers survive this bombardment, NCL wrote "You Make the Call," which is available for free by calling 800/355-9625 or at pubs@nclnet.org. It recommends tips on cramming and slamming, including:

• Find out whom your long distance carrier is calling toll-free, 700/555-4141. Check your local toll carrier call, 1 + area code + 700-4141. Call the 700 number ten days after receiving a telephone solicitation for long distance services which they have rejected.

• Read the fine print before filling out a contest form or coupon offer. You may be agreeing to new or additional phone services.

• If you've been crammed or slammed, first contact the slammer or crammer. If you have further problems call your local phone company and the National Fraud Information Center (1-800-876-7060) to report the problem.

• Shop around. Companies offer a variety of plans and pricing structures, so you need to comparison shop. Legitimate companies give you written information and answer all of your questions. Scam artists will pressure you to "ACT NOW!"

The survival guide, which was made possible with a grant from Ameritech, also offers tips on helping people shop for calling cards, long distance, and more.