Guard Against Telephone Cramming

Source: Coast to Coast Press Release, April, 1998




Beware of a new scam known as cramming -- when services are added or crammed into phone bills without the customers knowledge or consent. These charges may go unnoticed because they are often listed on a phone bill under nondescript names such as "enhanced services."

A victim of cramming unwittingly pays for services such as paging, voice mail, or personal toll-free numbers. These charges are sometimes assessed by third parties and billed through local phone carriers.

Cramming is a growing problem: The Michigan Public Service Commission receives about 15-20 complaints a day about this type of scam!

You can guard against cramming by remembering these tips:

  • Read the fine print before filling out a contest form or coupon offer. You may be agreeing to additional phone services.
  • Be careful when calling 800 or 900 numbers. Be wary when instructions ask you to enter "activation code numbers" that may result in unauthorized phone services.
  • Scrutinize every page of your phone bill each month.
  • If you've been crammed, report the problem to your local phone company and the National Fraud Information Center at 800-876-7060.
  • Notify the Michigan Public Service Commission at 800-292-9555.
  • File a letter of complaint with the FCC's Consumer Protection BRanch, Mail Stop 1600A2, Washington D.C. 20554.