NASUCA Supports FCC Proposals Targeting Cramming and Slamming, in Late-Filed Comments
The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates backed an FCC proposal to institute a rule against cramming, the inclusion of unauthorized charges on consumer phone bills. "Codifying the cramming prohibition for wireline and wireless carriers would act as a…
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deterrent, provide further clarity and aid in enforcement," said late-filed (see 1709140023) NASUCA comments posted Tuesday in docket 17-169. "The cramming prohibition should extend to all providers of voice communications, regardless of technology, including wireless and interconnected VoIP." An NPRM proposed rule says, "Carriers shall not place or cause to be placed on any telephone bill charges that have not been authorized by the subscriber," and would apply to any bill with interstate telecom service charges. NASUCA also backed an FCC anti-slamming proposal to ban misrepresentative sales calls leading to changes in a consumer's preferred telecom service provider, and urged the agency to clarify that its rules don't pre-empt state efforts against slamming and cramming. The group said the comments were prepared Sept. 13 but inadvertently weren't filed. Replies are due Oct. 13.