Cramming

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding "Cramming"

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What is "Cramming"?
We have been crammed, now what?
Is there any way to protect against being "crammed"?

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What is "Cramming"?

"Cramming" is similar to another telephone service scam called slamming, which switches your long distance carrier without your permission, often to one with much higher rates. But with cramming, one time and/or monthly recurring charges are added to your local telephone company bill for services you never meant to authorize -- for example, Internet access voice mail, calling cards, psychic hot lines and more. [Back to Cramming FAQ Table of Contents]

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We have been crammed, now what?

If you see what appear to be unauthorized charges on your local telephone company bill, first contact your local telephone company. They will probably suggest that you call the company that initiated the charges and can give you the number if that's not clear from your bill.

Call the company in question, explain that you are being billed for services that you did not request and ask that the charges be credited and discontinued on future billings.

If you meet resistance, tell the company that you intend to:

• dispute the charges through your local telephone company
• report this situation and their practice to the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") http://www.fcc.gov and
• report this situation and their practice to the Public Service or Utility Commission in your state.
  
  
  Then call your local telephone company again, register your dispute, ask for the charges to be removed. It will instruct you to pay only the amount of your bill that is not in dispute and will remove the contested charges from your bill - thought this may take more than one billing cycle.

BellSouth spokesman Ellen Jones emphasizes that the outside company may still try to hold you responsible for the charges and could even contact a collection agency or use other means to seek payment. However, your local telephone service should not be affected. [Back to Cramming FAQ Table of Contents]

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To protect yourself against being "crammed", exercise caution when:

• Making toll-free, 900, 976 calls or calls to a number starting with 011, 500 or another unfamiliar area code
• Entering contests or sweepstakes
• Responding to promotions offering "free" minutes to a date line, psychic line, etc.
• Asked to respond to a telephone offer by saying "yes"

  Make sure to read all forms and promotional materials carefully before signing your name. Carefully review your local telephone company bill each month to check for unfamiliar charges. If you find anything unusual or confusing, follow the instructions above. [Back to Cramming FAQ Table of Contents]