The Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning the state’s businesses and anyone else with a phone of authorized cramming charges popping up on their phone bills.
These cramming charges are usually small amounts and can appear legitimate when listed such as User Fee, Activation, Member Fee and Voice mail. These charges can be for unwanted services such as Web hosting, international calls or club memberships. The hidden fees can pop up as long-distance charges made to unfamiliar area codes.
Because the charges are small, they can be overlooked. Telephone carriers do not verify the legitimacy of third-party charges, so the CT BBB warns everyone to pay close attention to their bills.
“Cramming is easier to catch for consumers whose phone bills don’t vary from month to month,” said CT BBB President Paulette Scarpetti. “However, consumers whose charges change frequently should examine their bills monthly to check for unusual activity and ensure they are not paying for services they never wanted or ordered.”
