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Telecommunications
News
UCAN releases reply comments on phone billing fraud (cramming) reporting requirements in California
UCAN's reply comments support a strong reporting requirement for telecommunications abuses, something the Cellular Telephone Industry Association(CTIA), AT&T, Verizon and other carriers don't want. These proceedings will decide if the companies will have to comply with basic consumer protection standards, or will be allowed to police themselves. Read More
Sprint surcharges while stock sinks - No monthly fee, San Diego Pioneer Plan adds charges
UCAN releases comments on phone billing fraud (cramming) in California
UCAN has released comments regarding proposed "cramming" reporting requirements in California. Cramming is the placing of unauthorized charges are "crammed" into your phone bill where the charges are often unnoticed. UCAN supports tough reporting requirements, particularly due to abuses in the wireless phone industry.
UCAN wins refunds, customer service improvements, and billing system changes in settlement with MCI (Verizon)
Recent approval of a settlement in case 06-10-023, UCAN's cramming case against MCI, brings refunds to 1,890 customers as well as customer service and billing system improvements.
Skype Pro customers who paid $36 for one year of "unlimited" service charged additional $3 a month and limited to 3000 minutes
Skype Pro Customers who signed up for 12 months of unlimited service at $36 seem to be running into some problems and hidden gotchas with Skype.
Law & Policy
Issues
Sprint Nextel illegally billing taxes, fees, and text message charges on data broadband services plans
UCAN has filed a federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans. You can read the complaint here.
Ethiopian AT&T Wireless Roaming Overcharges and Cramming
AT&T's practice of enabling international roaming without customer notification violates the CA Public Utilities Code, which is intended to protect consumers from "cramming" of unauthorized charges. AT&T customers are also being charged for calls that were never placed. UCAN asserts that these customers never sought nor authorized international roaming as a service provided in connection with their cellular phone service.
California Lifeline/Universal Lifeline Telephone Service
California Lifeline, formerly known as Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS), provides discounted basic residential (landline) telephone service to low-income households.
MCI Long Distance Charges
UCAN's complaint, filed with the California Public Utilities Commission, details how MCI added surcharges to the bills of local phone customers in violation of California law. MCI's new long-distance "Basic Monthly Fee" is being imposed on those customers who use MCI's local phone service...but don't use MCI long-distance.
Ringtone and text message rip-offs
Of all the new features and capabilities of today's cell phones, UCAN receives the most complaints about ringtones and text messages. Our issue center contains all sorts of valuable information from consumer guides and updates to lawsuits and settlements against major cell phone providers. Come inside and see for yourself!
Cingular Customer Service Case 2002-2007
UCAN established that Cingular Wireless engaged in illegal marketing and customer service practices from 2000-2002 and filed a suit in July 2002. The case dragged on for years, but in was worth the wait. In 2006, a CA Court of Appeals judge ruled against Cingular and upheld a CPUC decision to hit Cingular with a large fine for its unconscionable actions. Get all the details inside our issue center.
Undergrounding
From SDG&E to SBC, get the real story on undergrounding in San Diego inside this issue center.
Legal Filings

UCAN Reply Comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements
Date of Filing/Decision
UCAN's reply comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements in proceeding 00-02-004 at the California Public Utilities Commission.
UCAN Comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements
Date of Filing/Decision
UCAN's comments filed regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements in the continuing CPUC rulemaking, 00-02-004.
UCAN v. MCI Final Settlement
Date of Filing/Decision
The final settlement in 06-10-023, UCAN's cramming case against MCI.
UCAN v. MCI CPUC Approval of Final Settlement
Date of Filing/Decision
The California Public Utilities Commission approval of the final settlement in 06-10-023, a cramming case brought by UCAN against MCI.
UCAN vs Sprint Nextel federal class action complaint for erroneous taxes, fees, and text message charges
Date of Filing/Decision
UCAN's federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans.
Tools
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How to Cancel Your Cell Phone Contract
Cell phone providers will let you get out of your contract for around $175 per phone line with no questions asked.
If that just isn't good enough for you, and it shouldn't be, then take a look at this guide to learn about asserting your rights!
How To Check Your Cell Phone Minutes and Account Balance
How not to go over your minutes and how to know the balance you owe
Free 411 Directory Assistance
In the past two years the cost of directory assistance has skyrocketed. Telephone companies are charging their customers unreasonable fees. Thankfully, there are some real alternatives available that should ensure consumers never pay for directory assistance again.
Mobile Phone Plan Checker - How to buy a cell phone
Don't sign a cell phone deal without it! UCAN's new and improved Mobile Phone Plan Checker forces cellular phone salespeople to back up their sales claims in writing.
The guide can help you compare and choose cell phone plans. It also offers lots of tips about researching before you buy and even how to handle a dispute with your cell phone company.
Featured
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Skype Pro customers who paid $36 for one year of "unlimited" service charged additional $3 a month and limited to 3000 minutes
Skype Pro Customers who signed up for 12 months of unlimited service at $36 seem to be running into some problems and hidden gotchas with Skype.
California's Telco Deregulation Fiasco: Finding Alternative Phone Service in a Competitive Wasteland
Your telephone rates have increased by between 70-276%.....in just the past year. From a few years ago, we are looking at 1000% price increases. Remarkably, many consumers aren't even aware of these price shocks. And when they find out, they feel helpless to do anything about them. They're partly right thanks to irresponsible regulatory oversight. But there are some ways to fight back..............read on.
Changes at AT&T May Change Your Phone Plan--Get Info in Advance
Your AT&T phone plan may be changing. This link directs you to the September 2007 rate changes. It includes information on what services and plans have changed or are obsolete whether you liked what you had or not. For example, an AT&T residential and business service was withdrawn as of 9/19/07. Up until that day, you were always able to call and get the "time of day". It's discontinued. Click on the link to see other changes to plans and services you once enjoyed. Mergers did bring us one thing and it wasn't market competition between companies. Mergers brought us reduced company choices, increased technology and marketing, increased "hold" times for customer service, fewer regulations to protect consumers and a great deal of billing confusion for customers who were "migrated" from "old AT&T" (Legacy T) to the "new AT&T. Check your bills very closely to make sure every service on your bill is exactly what you ordered. If not, write a letter to the company ASAP instead of calling and contact the UCAN Fraud Squad at 619-696-6966 or fill out a complaint form online and one of us will email and/or call you.
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network
(619) 696-6966 or file a complaint about a company online.
Terms & Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be, a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the fraud squad, and generally cut loose.
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