For Immediate Release:	CONTACT:	Holly Anderson, ext. 114
October 20, 1997
		(202) 835-3323

POLL REVEALS MAJOR FINDINGS
ON PHONE SLAMMING
One-third of Chicago residents were slammed
or know of someone who was slammed.

      CHICAGO.... Phone slamming is more prevalent than previously reported and affects one-third of Chicago area residents according to a new Louis Harris and Associates poll released today by the National Consumers League (NCL).

      "The League's National Fraud Information Center hotline has seen a surge in slamming complaints. The Harris survey shows that the problem is much more pervasive but also that it hits minority communities harder than others," stated NCL's Vice President, Susan Grant.

      Phone slamming is the unauthorized switching of your long distance or regional phone service.

      Joining the League in warning the public about slamming are several law enforcement agencies that have been actively fighting the problem, including the Illinois Attorney General's Office, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, and the Chicago Department of Consumer Services. Recent victims of slamming have also come forward to share their experience.

      "Together we form a united front against telephone slamming which I view as a kind of assault," said Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine. "We will be watching the practices of phone companies very closely and are prepared to act where we suspect fraud of any kind."

      The survey revealed that the likelihood of being slammed or knowing someone who has been slammed, increases with household income, level of education, the amount spent on an average phone bill, and is higher among African Americans and Latinos than Whites.

      The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also seen a rise in complaints. It received 11,278 slamming complaints in 1995 and more than 16,000 in 1996.

      Consumers who have been slammed have several rights under Federal law. FCC rules state that consumers have a right to be switched back at no charge. The regulations also allow consumers to be rebilled at the rate their original carrier charges. Consumers may have other rights under state law.

      Consumers can find out who their current long distance carrier is by calling toll-free, 700-555-4141. The League recommends consumers call the 700# ten days after receiving a telephone solicitation for long distance services which they have rejected.

      In conjunction with this educational effort, the League is releasing a survival tip sheet to help people avoid slamming. It is available for free by calling NCL at 800/355-9625 or at

      The League commissioned the Louis Harris and Associates survey in September 1997. The survey interviewed 1,500 consumers in Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids. The margin of error is plus or minus 4. The National Consumers League received a grant from Ameritech to fund this consumer education project. This is part of a larger effort to educate consumers and small business owners on telephone issues.

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. The NCL's three-pronged approach of research, education and advocacy has made it an effective representative and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to representing consumers on issues of concern.

Editor's note: The NCL brochure "You Make the Call" offers tips for consumers on cramming and other phone issues, including slamming and long-distance scams. The brochure is available via the NCL web site.