What is Cramming?
Cramming is the intentional billing of charges to a consumer's local phone bill for services that the consumer did not use, authorize, or contract for. The charges are often unrelated to phone service and not clearly described on the phone bill. Because cramming is on the increase, consumers need to educate themselves about cramming and the various ways in which it can occur.
What Should Consumers Do?
Carefully Review Your Phone Bill
Consumers can help protect themselves against cramming by thoroughly reviewing the charges on their monthly phone bill immediately after receiving it. All charges for extra services should be itemized and should show the name of the company responsible for the charges. In addition, the bill should list a toll-free number that consumers can use to contact the company to discuss questionable charges. If consumers continue to have any questions about the charges on their bill, they should contact the toll free number listed on their bill.
Read the Fine Print
Consumers should be extremely careful about signing contest forms that promise expensive, free prizes such as cars or vacation getaways. In the fine print, there may be a notice that a consumer is agreeing to pay a monthly fee for a service that can be billed to the consumer through their local phone company's monthly invoice.
Be Aware of Giveaways
Consumers should use caution when making calls to entertainment lines that promise free services. By dialing the entertainment line phone number, the consumer may be at risk of agreeing to a monthly charge that could be added to the consumer's monthly phone bill.