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"I'm Getting A Phone Call From THE WHITEHOUSE!!!": Can You Really Modify How Your CallerID Appears?
Can You Change, On Demand, The Caller ID Which Displays When You Call Someone? You Can But Not On Your Own
Chula Vista Utility Users Tax: Is Proposition H really Preparation H?
In November, the citizens of Chula Vista will be presented with Proposition H -- claiming to "modernize" an existing utility users tax but claiming that it is not a rate increase. The truth is that this initiative does neither.
T-Mobile Sued in California For Limiting Data Plan
Restrictions and limitations are the bane of any consumer, especially in the form of a little asterisk above wonderful phrases like "free" or "buy one get one free." However, it's downright deceptive to place restrictions and limitations on services without giving notice to the consumer. This is exactly what a California consumer is alleging T-Mobile did with its unlimited data plan offerings.
International Roaming: Have phone, will travel, but at what cost?
With the summer break in full swing, many people are taking time off. Some lucky people even get to travel abroad, taking with them their handy-dandy smartphones. I mean, what use is it going to the Eiffel Tower if you can’t twitter about it? One of the great things about smartphones is that many of them do work in foreign countries, roaming on other carriers’ networks. However, just because your phone works just as it does at home doesn't mean you’ll be charged like you are at home. Read on to learn how you can protect yourself from bill shock.
Cox's Residential Price Lock Guarantee: a helping hand or a headlock?
Some of you Cox subscribers may have received a notice in a recent bill about Cox’s Residential Price Lock Guarantee (or PLG for those in the biz). But what is it and is it good for consumers? Hit the jump to find out more.
Android Phones lack Bluetooth Voice Dialing
Android phones currently lack Bluetooth voice dialing and any other 100% hands free dialing and some consumers are not being fully informed when they ask about such abilities.
Read the Fine Print: Time Warner "guaranteed" rate promo does not include all charges
In troubling economic times, consumers are counting their pennies to make sure they can squeeze as much value out of the services they purchase. Companies' tantalizing offers to entice consumers into their service gingerbread house may be the breadcrumbs that lead you into the hell-hot oven of customer service headaches and unanticipated charges.
John Mattes is an embedded reporter for the New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigating UCAN issues.
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John Mattes, UCAN's embedded reporter, goes out in the field to investigate cell phone kiosks which house "authorized retailers". They make customers sign additional contracts for new phones and plans, that include hidden fees of more than $100 dollars.
DON'T BUY A MOBILE PHONE WITHOUT UCAN'S CELLPHONE PLAN CHECKER and check out NEW MEDIA RIGHTS CREATIVE COMMONS HOW-TO AND LEGAL GUIDES
The Fraud Squad Network helps a victim of Gargantuan Phone Co.
File a Consumer Complaint with UCAN!
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? There are two ways you can get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad: (1) using our Online Complaint Forms, and (2) calling the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966.
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Negotiate a better TV/Internet package
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How to Buy A Cell Phone!
Don't buy a cell phone without our Mobile Phone Plan Checker!
Register to get it FREE right now!
Issues
FCC Communications Consumer Protection and Empowerment Proceeding
The FCC recently sought comment concerning what actions need to be taken to ensure consumers of wireless, broadband, and video services are well informed about: the costs associated with the services; the contracts consumers must enter into; the charges for which consumers are billed; and the methods for resolving billing issues.
Telepacific charges for calls never made -- blame the phone company or hackers?
Imagine you are small business and you get a bill from your local phone company for $1000. You are shocked because your monthly bill is usually closer to $100 per month. The company claims that your higher bill is for the international calls that you made from your fax machine. "Hold on", you think. "I didn't make any international calls from my fax machine or from ANY phone. I didn't make any international calls at all!"
You protest but the phone company says that even though you didn't make the calls, someone was able to hack into your phone system and make the calls. "But wait", you exclaim, "I don't have a phone system. I don't have a PBX. I just have two phone lines provided by you".
"Ah, but you didn't take precautions to protect your phones from being hacked," responds the phone company.
"What precautions!", you reply. "I put international call blocking on my phone service".
An impossible scenario? Apparently not accordingly to Telepacific/MPower. It did almost exactly this to a San Diego-based flower shop. Read our complaint about this shocking practice.
Cramming Requirement Revisions in California
The CPUC is considering revising the rules regarding reporting of unauthorized charges for telecommunications services. Learn about the proposed changes as well as UCAN's position and legal filings on the issue.
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.
AT&T International 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.
Tools
VoIP Comparison Table
UCAN has compiled a list of VoIP providers and their current costs and features for comparison purposes. Let us know if we missed any providers. UCAN does not endorse or recommend any of these services. This list is just for comparison purposes and to let you the consumer know what's available.
Updated: 05/06/2010
Surprising Ways to Reduce Your Cable TV Bills - More TV, Less Money
With the average family paying upwards of $70 per month for cable alone and when you throw on another $40-50 per month for broadband Internet, the bucks are really adding up. In many cases, families pay more for cable/Internet than they do for electricity or water each month. Fortunately, cable customers are not powerless to fight back. Here are some proven and probably surprising tips about how to get your monthly cable bill lower.
Unsolicited or SPAM Text Messages
Despite continuous improvements to the technology, wireless companies have not found a way to stop unsolicited or SPAM Text Messages. There are a few solutions out there that each of the companies allow. Here are the steps you can take with the 4 largest wireless companies to help stop unsolicited text messages.
Stop Telemarketers Now - An Anti-Telemarketing Guide
Want to bring the hammer down on annoying telemarketers? The following guide will give you all the resources you need to get your number off telemarketing lists. But some telemarketers just won't take no NO for an answer. That's when you take them to court and hurt 'em where it counts...in the pocketbook.
"Material Adverse" Clauses in Cell Phone Contracts
Each carrier takes a different stance on what is materially adverse, who can get out (Cingular for instance has eliminated language in some contracts that claims that text messages are an "optional service"). You usually (except for Verizon which does offer 60 day period to call and claim materially adverse) only have a short time to claim a change as materially adverse, sometimes less than 14 days.
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!
- Consumer Resource Center (2)
- Issue Center (13)
- Legal & Regulatory Filings/Testimony (44)
- News/Articles (138)
- Policy Papers/Letters (8)
- UCAN Blog (182)
- Forum topic (20)
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John Mattes, UCAN's embedded reporter, goes out in the field to investigate cell phone kiosks which house "authorized retailers". They make customers sign additional contracts for new phones and plans, that include hidden fees of more than $100 dollars.
DON'T BUY A MOBILE PHONE WITHOUT UCAN'S CELLPHONE PLAN CHECKER and check out NEW MEDIA RIGHTS CREATIVE COMMONS HOW-TO AND LEGAL GUIDES
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
Terms and 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.
See our Terms of Use, Privacy, and Copyright complaint policies as well as our Content Reuse Policy, Some Rights Reserved. Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use New Media Rights' multimedia studio and equipment for free.
