Slamming and Cramming
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How to avoid getting slammed or crammed
- Read the small print. Contest and sweepstakes entries, even those at fairs and festivals and on the Internet, can include language that authorizes a switch in long-distance service. Some long-distance providers use these tactics to entice consumers to sign entry forms that double as an authorization form. Also, avoid signing bonus checks or responding to offers of prizes and cash. If a form or a caller requests your phone or fax number, ask more questions, including why the number is needed.
- Carefully review your monthly phone bill. If you see an unfamiliar name instead of your long-distance company, you might have been slammed. You also might see a switching fee of about $5.
- Understand questions before you answer "yes" or "no" when phoned about switching your long-distance service. You might inadvertently agree to a switch. Get the name of the caller and company and the service's cost.
- Request a "PIC freeze" form from your local phone carrier and then sign and return it. (PIC stands for primary interexchange carrier, a technical term for long-distance carrier.) This signed form prohibits the local carrier from changing your long-distance service without your written permission. This is not foolproof since some switches are made by using a forged authorization form, but it will prevent changes from being made based on a verbal order.
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