Have you ever looked at a phone bill and noticed additional charges that were placed inconspicuously without your authorization? That’s called "cramming"—and it’s illegal. These charges might be as small as 99 cents or as substantial as $19.99 per month. But because they are not clearly disclosed on the phone bill, they often go undetected for months or even years. Research suggests that only 1 in 20 consumers who are affected by "cramming" are aware of the problem, which likely costs Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will deliver an announcement about cramming from the Center for American Progress on Monday, June 20. The chairman will also discuss his consumer agenda, including proactive steps that the agency is taking to help consumers avoid cramming.