DREUBEN@eagle.wesleyan.edu (Douglas Scott Reuben) (02/28/91)
Just got my bill today from SNET. Some rather interesting stuff in the
Newsbriefs ("SNET News") insert:
Slamming: "A word to the wise...don't get SLAMMED, watch your phone bill."
In carrying out the fight for their share of customers, sales
people for some inter-state carriers may switch you from your long
distance carrier without your approval.
Here's how it can work.
A salesperson calls and asks if you'd like to save money on
your long distance bill and if you'd switch away from your present
carrier.
Unless you are absolutely clear in your responses -- for
example -- "I'm pleased with my present carrier and I do not want you
to initiate any changes,", the salesperson may notify SNET, indicating
that you have approved a switch.
If that happens, you've just been SLAMMED and SNET switches
you away from your carrier of choice. In that process, SNET puts a
one-time charge on your bill under "Other Charges and Credits" to
cover the cost of making that change.
SNET urges you to be as explicit as possible if you get one of
these calls and to carefully watch your monthly bill. Notify us
immediately if you believe that you've been SLAMMED. (There've been
instances of SLAMMING without a sales call.)
We'll remove the charge and return you to your former carrier.
And, if you wish, we'll put a "freeze" on your line so only YOU can
tell us to switch carriers for you.
--------------------
Also stuff about blocking of 900 numbers, and how "adult" messages
must be scrambled (hmmm???), use pre-payment by credit card, or have
some sort of access code, or else they are in violation of FCC rules.
(Never heard of this before ... something new?)
Finally, a small piece about "collect" calls to help out troops in the
Gulf, and how these are usually scams and how to get them taken off
your bill.
Seems like SNET is actually trying to keep up with new developements
in the Telecommunications industry ... a few years ago you could ask
them about Equal Access and they would have NO idea what you were
talking about!
I asked that a freeze be put on my lines, in two different towns in
CT, and it was no problem for them. The whole call to the service
center took less than two minutes, and the sales rep. was polite and
knew exactly what I was requesting. Very efficient...
Doug dreuben@eagle.wesleyan.edu dreuben@wesleyan.bitnet