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Released: March 16, 2011

Help Desk FAQ

My long distance company was changed without my consent. What can I do?

Unauthorized switching of your long distance company is known as "slamming." Take the following steps, if you are slammed:

• Call your local phone company. Ask to be returned to your original long distance company and not be charged for this change.

• Call your long distance company and tell them that you were slammed by another company and want to be returned to their service.

• Call the long distance company listed on your phone bill. (The company that slammed you.) Tell them that you did not give permission to be switched and that you have requested that the local phone company return you to your original company. Ask the slamming company to recalculate the charges for your calls according to your original company's rates. You should pay only the same amount that your original long distance company would have charged you. If you cannot reach the offending company by phone, send them a certified letter with the same request.

• Always send a written complaint to:

  Federal Communications Commission
  Common Carrier Bureau
  1919 M Street, NW
  Washington, D.C., 20554
  (202) 632-7553

  In California:

  California Public Utilities Commission
  107 S. Broadway, Room 5109
  Los Angeles, CA 90012
  (800) 649-7570
  (213) 897-0426 (TTY)

  California Public Utilities Commission
  505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2003
  San Francisco, CA 94102
  (800) 649-7570
  (213) 897-0426 (TTY)

  In other states: Search at the National Association of Utilities Commissions.

• Send a copy of your complaint to Consumer Action by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)