Slamming -- having your telephone company changed without your permission -- is on the rise.  Most consumers and small businesses that are slammed do not realize it until they get their next telephone bill.   One lady attended an air show and signed a document she believed to be a sweepstakes entry only to find that in fine print she had switched long distance service to an expensive reseller.

    Consumers should also be aware of another emerging telephone scam known as cramming.  This practice occurs when consumers are charged for optional telephone services without prior agreement.  Cramming charges for services such as voice mail, paging, a personal 800 number and club memberships, are assessed by third parties and billed through local telephone carriers.

    Sometimes the company names listed on the bills in connection with these charges sound like they are from local carriers -- for instance, "Enhanced Services" -- making it difficult for consumers to detect them.  Those companies are often "billing aggregators," or go-betweens, for the real providers of the unauthorized services, adding confusion when consumers attempt to dispute charges.   These unauthorized charges can range from $4.95 to $30 per month. A recent NCL-sponsored Louis Harris and Associates poll showed that 71 percent of consumers are confused by the daily bombardment of new products and services from telephone companies.

    To help consumers survive this bombardment, the National Consumers League wrote "You Make the Call," which is available for free by calling 800-355-9625 or at www.natlconsumersleague.org.   It recommends the following tips:

• Periodically check your long distance service by dialing, 1-700-555-4141 and to check your local toll carrier by dialing, 1 + area code + 700-4141. You will not be charged for these calls.

• Reading the fine print before filling out a contest form or coupon offer. You may be agreeing to have new or additional telephone services.

• If you have been crammed or slammed, first contact the slammer or crammer.  If you have further problems call your local telephone company or the Department.

• Shop around.  Companies offer a variety of plans and pricing structures, so you need to comparison shop.  Legitimate companies give you written information and answer all of your questions.  Scam artists will pressure you to "ACT NOW!"

    With competition in the marketplace growing, you will have more choices than ever before.  To make the best choices, you need to understand what is being offered and what is right for you.  And you need to protect yourself against fraudulent marketing schemes.