There’s been a lot of coverage in the media over the last few years about "Slamming" in the telephone business. Slamming is when a disreputable telemarketer switches a consumer’s long distance carrier without permission. Now that local service is becoming competitive, consumers must be alert to a new twist in the scammer’s presentation.

A recent example of slamming outlines a scheme where telemarketers contacted business customers of a traditional, rural LEC in Pennsylvania. The marketeers represented themselves as being with "The Phone Company." The customer naturally assumes from this that the caller is with their local service provider. The pitch then goes on: "Competition is coming to your area. You are one of our valued customers and we want to retain your business in the future. As a result, we are offering you a 20% discount on your toll calls."

If the customer expresses interest, the call is transferred to a second marketeer who advises that the call is being recorded and asks several questions such as Mother’s maiden name, last four digits of their Social Security Number or a birth date. These questions are asked "for security purposes." There is no indication that the customer is authorizing a long distance carrier switch. The customer has no idea what has happened until the next phone arrives and reflects toll charges from "The Phone Company." This example occurred in Pennsylvania but slamming can and does occur all across the country. PUCs in every state have thousands of complaints on record.

         BEWARE! If the call sounds fishy, it probably is!

What can you do to help prevent being slammed? The best steps to take involve scaring the scammers away.

Ask for a call back number. If the pitch is legitimate, a number will be gladly provided. If it’s a scam, the caller will likely just hang up. If a number is given . . . call it! It’s probably not valid or will just ring, unanswered.

Don’t offer too much information. Don’t mention the name of your local service provider or who your long distance carrier is. Don’t mention names of people at your phone company. The scam artist will use everything you say to strengthen their next call.

Read your local phone bill. You could be slammed and not notice much of a change in your phone rates. Look for company names that you don’t recognize.

If you have any, call your local phone company or your long distance service provider.