FCC Fines Seven Companies $1.2 Million for Slamming and Cramming Violations

The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission has settled its investigations of seven companies that have admitted to billing consumers for services without their authorization. Business Network Long Distance, Inc., Communications Network Billing, Inc., Integrated Services, Inc., Multiline Long Distance, Inc., National Access Long Distance, Inc., Nationwide Long Distance Service, Inc., and Network Service Billing, Inc., “slammed” consumers by changing their preferred long distance telephone carriers without authorization, and “crammed” consumers by assessing charges on their telephone bills without their consent. As part of the settlement, the companies will pay civil penalties totaling $1.2 million dollars, and must adopt comprehensive, rigorous compliance plans going forward to forestall future cramming and slamming violations. Back Office Support Systems, Inc. (BOSS) manages many functions for each of the companies, and is also bound by the compliance plan, as are its principal and the principals of each of the seven companies.