‘Slamming’ Ups Tab For Long-Distance Calls Practice Of Rogue Carriers Targeted
Telephone customers across the nation are paying hundreds of dollars more in charges after their long-distance carrier is changed without their knowledge or approval.
They are the victims of what has been dubbed “slamming.”
The illegal practice grew out of changes in federal law that opened long-distance telephone markets to unbridled competition.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission said slamming complaints have increased 122 percent in the past three years. The commission received 1,004 complaints in 1997.
“Along with the attorney general’s office, we’re trying to put some pressure on companies who are less than forthcoming,” said Beverly Barker, the director of consumer assistance at the commission.
Unauthorized switching of telephone companies ranked No. 9 on the list of the most common complaints received by Attorney General Al Lance in 1996. The 1997 top consumer complaints have not been tallied yet. But Deputy Attorney General Brett DeLange said slamming will probably rank No. 9 or higher.
State consumer protection laws allow the attorney general to pursue companies engaged in false or deceptive practices.
Last month, the attorney general’s office secured an agreement from EqualNet Corp. of Houston to pay a total of $225,000 to settle slamming allegations in Idaho and 10 other states. Although EqualNet did not admit to wrongdoing, it did agree to change the way it conducts business in Idaho and to make refunds to affected customers.
“Slamming is not just happening to residential consumers,” DeLange said. “Many businesses face the same problems. We’ve had cases where state agencies have also been slammed.”
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules to protect consumers from slamming. Among them is a provision that says customers must pay rogue companies only what they would have been charged by their regular carriers.
But even with laws prohibiting deceptive practices and FCC rules designed to protect consumers, slammers are finding ways to snag unsuspecting customers.