Phone Cramming
What is "Cramming" fraud?
Cramming is the practice of assessing misleading or unauthorized charges on a consumer's telephone bill. Authorized charges may also constitute cramming if the telecommunications company used false advertising to mislead consumers about the cost of a service. Cramming charges may appear on local telephone bills, as well as long distance telephone bills or cell phone bills.
Examples of charges that constitute cramming, if they are unauthorized, include:
- Charges with vague purposes, such as a "service fee," or
- Charges without any explanation of the nature of the service, such as a "monthly fee."
Preventing Cramming on Telephone and Cell Phone Bills
The Federal Communication Commission requires that telecommunication companies clearly describe each service for which the customer has been billed. Under the FCC's Truth-in-Billing rules, telecommunication companies must:
- Clearly identify the service provider that is associated with each charge on a bill (for example, a bill issued by a local telephone company may include a charge issued by a long-distance company).
- Clearly explain the consequences of non-payment of each type of charge. This rule prevents consumers from paying suspicious charges out of fear that their basic service may be cancelled.
- Include a toll-free number on the bill that customers can call to dispute charges.
Holding Companies Accountable for Phone Cramming
At Girard Gibbs, our attorneys have extensive experience litigating class action lawsuits against telephone and wireless companies, including AT&T, Sprint, MCI and others. Here is an example of one of our cases involving cramming:
AT&T Cramming Class Action Lawsuit
Girard Gibbs filed a class action lawsuit against AT&T on behalf of consumers who were assessed with charges that they never authorized for long-distance services. The class action lawsuit also alleged that AT&T also engaged in slamming by charging long-distance services on the telephone bills of consumers who were not current AT&T customers and had not requested AT&T long distance. Girard Gibbs achieved class wide settlement that provided affected consumers with cash reimbursements and other benefits.
Report Phone Cramming Fraud to our Consumer Attorneys
Speak with one of our consumer attorney by calling toll-free (866) 981-4800 or filling out the form to the right.
 Eric Gibbs |
 A. J. De Bartolomeo |
 Dylan Hughes |
 Geoff Munroe |
Why Girard Gibbs LLP?
Girard Gibbs is a national litigation firm representing consumers, investors, employees, and small businesses in cases involving consumer protection, personal injury, securities, antitrust, and employment laws. The firm’s senior partners, Daniel Girard and Eric Gibbs, have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 and Northern California Super Lawyers, and have earned AV-Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, recognizing them in the highest class of attorneys for professional ethics and legal skills.
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