Federal laws protect American telecommunications consumers from practices that are deemed unjust and unreasonable in nature. In addition, FCC regulations generally prohibit deceptive and fraudulent practices, and require phone bills to be accurate and not misleading.
- Slamming—the practice of switching or seeking to switch a consumer’s traditional wireline telephone company for local, local toll, or long-distance service without following prescribed procedures. Slamming violates Section 258 of the Act and Section 64.1120 of the Commission’s rules.
- Cramming—the practice of charging consumers for telecommunications services without the consumer’s authorization. For example, a charge on a consumer’s phone bill for a service or item that the consumer did not authorize is an example of “cramming.” Cramming violates Section 201(b) of the Act and Section 64.2401(g) of the Commission’s rules.