SBC Asks California to Probe WorldCom Sales

SBC Communications Inc., the biggest local-telephone company in California, asked the state’s Public Utilities Commission and attorney general to investigate rival WorldCom Inc.’s sales practices.

SBC said it received 5,172 complaints from California residential customers who SBC said had their local service switched to WorldCom without permission. A spokeswoman for WorldCom disputed the claim.

“SBC is more interested in disparaging competitors than competing,” she said.

SBC shares fell 47 cents to $23.85 on the NYSE.