"Slamming" is the illegal practice of changing a consumer's telephone service - local and/or long distance service - without permission.

Click on the questions below for answers:

How can I protect myself from being slammed?

1. The best way to keep from being slammed is to request a "PIC Freeze" for your line.

PIC (Pre-subscribed Interexchange Carrier) is the telecom industry's term for a long distance company. By "freezing" your PIC, you are asking your local phone company to ensure that your long distance carrier is never changed without your permission. It's easy to do and can save you a lot of time, money and headaches in the future.

Contact First Step Member Services toll free at 1.800.385.9000 for instructions.

2. Read your phone bills carefully.
Look for your chosen carrier's name and company logo. Check for any unexpected or abnormal fees; particularly "switching fees" that many companies charge to change your long distance service.

3. Educate everyone.
Slammers will often use the authorization of whoever answers the phone to switch your service - even if they are talking to a child! Make sure everyone knows who makes the decisions for telephone services. If you decide to change carriers, let the others know so a false slamming claim is not made by them.

4. Do not sign anything without reading it first.
Many direct mail pieces, contests and giveaways are actually sneaky tactics to trick you into switching phone companies. Be sure to read the fine print on anything before you sign it.

5. Stand up to telemarketers.
When a company calls trying to get you to switch carriers, tell them you are not interested. If they persist or become rude, simply hang up. One tactic slammers have been known to use is to get you to say the word "yes" about anything - even confirming that you are who they asked for - and they use that "yes" as authorization to switch your service.

What should I do if I've been slammed?

1. Contact First Step right away .
Contact a Member Services Representative toll free at 1.800.385.9000 for instructions.

2. Contact the long distance company that slammed you.
Federal and state laws protect you from slamming and punish those companies that practice it. Insist on receiving any credits and refunds that you are entitled to.

3. Get the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) involved if the issue is not resolved
Write a letter explaining what happened. Include the names and phone numbers for each company involved and the actions you have already taken to try to resolve the issue. Mail the letter to:

Federal Communications Commission
Common Carrier Bureau Enforcement Division
Informal Complaints and Public Inquiries Branch
Mail Stop Code 1600A2
2025 M. St., NW
Washington, DC 20554

4. Notify your state's telecommunications licensing group.
In many states, the Public Service or Public Utility Commission is the place to call.

What are my rights?

:· You have the right to choose your long distance provider.
:· You have the right to credits/refunds based on current state and federal laws. Insist on these refunds with the carrier who slammed you.
:· You have the right to request that any changes to your long distance service must be received from you in writing.
:· You have the right to report a slamming offense to regulatory and consumer rights groups. Slamming is illegal and may result in heavy fines to the company that slammed you. If a complaint is not resolved, contact the FCC, your state telecommunications licensing group or even your state Attorney General's office.
:· You have the right to have your slamming complaint resolved quickly.