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Don't Be Slammed, Crammed or Scammed

Written by: Steven G. Atkinson

Article Overview: Does it ever seem as if there’s always someone trying to get your money? Even in telecommunications it’s that way. Here are some helpful tips to try to keep your money in your pocket. Some of these may seem like ancient history, but could still happen.

Don't Be Slammed, Crammed or Scammed

Sometimes it seems as if there’s always someone trying to get your money? Even in telecommunications it’s that way. Some people may be trying to get your money to help your business, such as consultants, while others are nothing more than crooks trying to steal.

Here are some helpful tips to try to keep your money in your pocket. Some of these may seem like ancient history, but could still happen.

Don’t be slammed.
Slamming is when your long-distance telephone service is switched to another company without your permission. This could happen in many ways, it could be in the form of what appears to be a check, cashing it will allow them to change your present service to theirs, usually at a much higher rate. Another way is to receive a telephone call offering you lower rates, even declining the service you may have been switched.

Watch for Cramming.
Cramming is when optional services such as voice mail, paging, a personal 800 numbers or club membership appears on your telephone bill. This can happen, like slamming, by filling out a contest entry form, failing to respond to a negative option sales pitch, or calling a 900 number. It can happen simply by the crammer picking your telephone number out of the blue and placing charges on your bill through your local telephone company by claiming that you agreed to purchase the services.

Be aware of scams.
Two of the most common ones are the “809 area code” and the “90#” scam. The 809 scam is a valid concern since 809 appears as a usual US area code but you’re actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, in the Caribbean, and charged international call rates to some number. Other area codes associated with this are 284 and 876. Because they are outside of US they are not under any US regulations. The “90#” is also true, but only to a degree. It only works on systems that require a user to dial a ‘9’ for an outside line and there aren’t any other restrictions placed on the service.

It’s important that you check your telephone bill each and every month. It’s your right to dispute any charges you do not believe are yours, but you should put those reasons in writing. Be sure to pay your bill on time. You may subtract the disputed third-party amount and any taxes or fees associated with it along with written notice detailing the reason for your dispute. Your phone service should not be disconnected, but be aware that these charges could be referred to a collection agency.

© 2006-2008 Steven G. Atkinson – All Rights Reserved

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Article Tags: 800 numbers, 809 area code, 809 scam, area codes, contest entry, crammer, distance telephone service, international call rates, local telephone company, long distance telephone, long distance telephone service, money in your pocket, negative option, option sales, optional services, present service, sales pitch, telephone bill, valid concern, voice mail



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