FCC Seeks Tougher Phone-Switching Rules

Flooded with thousands of complaints, federal regulators moved to beef up rules that protect consumers from having their phone service switched without their approval. The Federal Communications Commission proposed to extend its rules against “slamming” to unapproved changes in local phone service--on top of existing rules covering long-distance calling. The plan would tighten company procedures for verifying changes in a customer’s local and long-distance service. The proposal would also make unauthorized phone companies liable for perks, such as frequent-flier miles, that “slammed” consumers would have received from their regular carrier. And the FCC is considering whether to require consumers to continue paying unauthorized carriers for phone service. Consumers must now pay the new carrier at a rate equal to the amount that the authorized company would have charged for the calls. About 50 million people deliberately switch long-distance companies each year. But 16,000 people last year complained to the FCC that they were switched without their consent. It’s the No. 1 source of complaints at the agency.