You might remember slamming, or switching someone’s long-distance carrier without their knowledge or permission, as a crime of the years just after phone deregulation, when the idea that one could switch long-distance carriers was novel. It’s a scam that still happens to people with landlines, though, and you should know how to prevent it, and what you should warn landline-having friends and relatives not to do. [More]
slamming
Watch Out: Spam Texts Could Be Text Scams
By 12.31.10
Ah, for the days when phone slammers had to actually call you in order to enroll you in services you don’t want. P.W. tells Consumerist that he received a few texts from an unknown shortcode number, most likely wrote them off as spam, and ignored them. Until he noticed a mysterious $10 charge on his phone bill. [More]
Keep Your Small Dog Info To Yourself; The Person Calling You Doesn't Need To Know
By 9.13.10
Here’s a weird possible scam going around. Our reader Chris writes, “Every day for the past week, I’ve been getting an automated call that asks me, ‘This is Survey 2010. Do you have a small dog?'” [More]
IDT Back In Brooklyn, Working Their Door To Door Scamming Magic
By 1.5.09
Just a quick heads up to everyone that IDT has nothing of value to offer you, so if someone claiming to be from IDT (or any other energy company that’s not the one you already buy energy from) comes to your door and asks to see your bill, give them a good how do you do and send them on their way. I’ve had IDT scammers hit my building twice in the past two weeks, and just now returned from throwing them out of the building a few minutes ago.
Verizon Loses Your Order, Tries To Install FiOS Without Permission, And Disconnects Your Phone
By 12.20.07
It has now been 72 hours since Verizon took control of reader Matt’s phone, according to his new website www.verizon-fios-sucks.com. He originally tried to order FiOS way back in November, but when no one called to schedule an installation, he was told that his order didn’t exist and would need to reorder.
ConEd Takes Lying ESCOs Like IDT Energy Super Seriously
By 2.14.07
After seeing our post, “What ConEd Thinks Of IDT Energy Slamming Its Customers,” spokesman Alfonso Quiroz called back to say “your statement is incorrect.”
What ConEd Thinks Of IDT Energy Slamming Its Customers
By 2.13.07
ConEd spokesman Alfonso Quiroz let us know that they, “always encourage customers to shop around.” He pointed to poweryourway.com as a great place to find alternate energy service companies or ESCOs.
Help! Roommate Signed Us Over To IDT Energy
By 2.12.07
Pete got switched over to IDT Energy by a scammy door-to-door salesman, thanks to his sleepy and ignorant roommate, and now he wants help.
IDT Energy At Your Door? Call 212-416-8000
By 2.9.07
According to the NY Attorney General’s office, they’ve never heard any complaints about IDT Energy. Bryan writes:
IDT Energy Continues To Con New Yorkers
By 2.9.07
Door to door marketers working for IDT Energy are still preying upon New Yorkers, pretending to work for ConEd in an effort to get residents to switch over electrical service to the energy reseller.
Buzz Telecom Good At Confusing Ancient People From Iowa
By 12.14.06
The Iowa Attorney General is warning people that they may have been fooled by an Indiana-based phone company.
