AT&T; Wins Reversal on ‘Slamming’ Fines

AT&T; Corp. won a reversal of $80,000 in regulatory fines it was ordered to pay for switching two customers’ long-distance service accounts without their permission.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., said the Federal Communications Commission exceeded the intent of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by requiring phone companies to verify that the person who gave permission for the switch had authorization over the account.

An FCC spokesman said the agency hadn’t reviewed the decision and wouldn’t comment.

Shares of New York-based AT&T; rose 25 cents to $15.11 on the NYSE.

From Bloomberg News