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Phone "Slamming"

September 18, 1995
By: REBECCA HEAD
State Capital Bureau

JEFFERSON CITY - The number of "slamming" victims is exploding across the state, according to the state attorney general's office.

"Slamming" is the practice of illegally switching long-distance carriers without the customer's authorization. Usually, customers don't find out about the change until they receive a copy of their phone bill or get a call from their former long-distance provider asking them to return.

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office has been flooded with calls during the past few months with complaints about this deceptive practice. More than 50 companies have been accused.

"There are potentially thousands of consumers who have been switched without their consent," Nixon said. "Consumers must be protected from companies who use deceptive practices to acquire their business and refuse to release them from fraudulent contracts."

In most cases, the perpetrators are small, little-known companies that charge higher rates. Commonly, these carriers will buy large blocks of long-distance time from major providers like AT&T or MCI at a discounted rate and resell it to consumers at a profit.

In response, Nixon has filed petitions seeking injunctions against two Texas carriers - Nationwide Long Distance and Home Owners Long Distance. The companies generated frequent complaints due to their highly deceptive methods, said Scott Holste, an official at the attorney general's office.

According to Nixon, Nationwide and Home Owners solicited long-distance customers by distributing contest entry forms that stated, in small type, that customers signing the form were approving a change in their long-distance service. They also failed to verify the written statements with consumers, which consumer complaints indicate were often forged.

Nixon is seeking restitution and penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Holste said he hopes the lawsuits will keep the companies from doing further business in Missouri.

Nixon is investigating other companies mentioned in complaints.

To protect yourself from phone slamming, the Attorney General's office recommends that you contact your local phone service provider and say you want to freeze your account with your current carrier.

"Look over your phone bills carefully," Holste advised. "If anything looks strange or out of the ordinary, contact your local phone company, your new long-distance carrier and your old carrier."

To check with your long-distance carrier, dial toll-free at anytime, 1-700-555-4141, you should hear a recording.

If you find that you are a victim of phone slamming and wish to issue a complaint, call the Attorney General's consumer protection hotline at 1-800-392-8222.