FCC Seeks $2 Million in ‘Slamming’ Cases

Federal regulators are calling for fines of more than $2 million against two Midwest companies, alleging that the two switched the long-distance carriers of more than a dozen people without their permission. The proposed $1.12-million fine against St. Paul, Minn.-based Coleman Enterprises, which does business as Local Long Distance Inc., and the proposed $1-million fine against Westlake, Ohio-based Vista Group International Inc. stem from the Federal Communications Commission’s stepped-up efforts to curb “slamming,” which is the unauthorized switching of long-distance phone carriers. So far this year, the agency has received nearly 15,000 slamming complaints and has proposed fines of nearly $8 million for the practice. The target companies have 30 days to plead their cases before any action is taken. Separately, AT&T; agreed to settle a slamming complaint filed against it by the state of Arizona. Under the agreement, AT&T; will pay $150,000 to the state to cover legal costs stemming from the complaint and will change its telemarketing procedures in Arizona.