Watch Out for Slamming

Slamming - the illegal act of having your telephone company changed without your permission - is on the rise. Most consumers and small businesses that are slammed do not realize it until they get their next telephone bill.

Slamming used to be limited to long distance service. But as competition expands to local toll and local service, slamming is expanding as well.

Many offers are disguised as surveys or include incentives like bonus checks, free minutes, raffle entries and other contests. If you get an offer in the mail, make sure you read all the material before returning the authorization form.

If you get a call about telephone service, be careful how you answer. Make sure you know what you are responding to before you say, "yes" or "no." Ask questions before you agree to change your long distance, local toll, or local service company. Tell the caller to send you written material about the offer and an authorization form so you can check out the details.

Slamming frequently occurs when a company calls and offers to consolidate all of your telephone services on one bill. But most consumers and small businesses already get one bill from their local telephone company.

You can check who provides your long distance service by dialing 1 (700) 555-4141 and your local toll service by dialing 1+your area code+700-4141. These calls are free.

You Can Protect Yourself From Slamming

If you are slammed, know your rights. You have the right to get your service switched back at no charge and be rebilled by the company that slammed you at the rates that your original carrier would have charged for the calls.

Follow these steps:

• Call your local telephone company, explain that you have been slammed, and ask to be switched back to your original carrier with no "change charges."

• Call the company that slammed you and demand to be rebilled at the rates your original carrier would have charged. Use the company's 1-800 number listed on your telephone bill.

• Call your original carrier, explain that you have been slammed, and tell them that you want to switch back and be re-enrolled in any special calling plan that you had previously selected.

• Notify local law enforcement and consumer protection authorities by writing a letter describing the problem and enclosing a copy of your bill. Send a copy of the letter to the Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20554. Report the incident to the National Consumer League's National Fraud Information Center at 1 (800) 876-7060.

• For more protection against slamming, call your local telephone company and ask them not to change your long distance or local toll company unless they receive a written or verbal authorization from you. There is no charge for this service.