When Your Preferred Telephone Company Is Switched Without Your Permission

That's the definition for "Slamming."
Actually my preferred long distance company was switched with my permission, but I was half asleep (poor excuse!) when it happened.

For all those suckers (like me) who got 'slammed' by a telemarketer, check out this site:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/slamming.html
Or read the article below:

Background

Equal access allows telephone subscribers to choose a preferred or authorized telephone company or telephone companies to handle local toll and long distance toll (including international) calls from their traditional, wireline telephones. Where equal access is available, subscribers may choose separate preferred telephone companies for each of these services, or one preferred telephone company for both of them. Subscribers can place local toll and long distance toll calls using their preferred telephone company or companies by dialing 1 (or 011 for international calls) plus the appropriate code and telephone number. Subscribers can place calls using other telephone companies by dialing a 1010XXX access code. To learn more about these different types of calls, go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/local_long.html. Subscribers can change their preferred telephone company or companies at any time, but may be charged for doing so.

Wireless telephone companies are not required to provide equal access, and generally choose a preferred telephone company for their subscribers. If wireless companies allow use of “dial-around” 1010XXX access codes, they can choose to charge their customers a fee for doing so.

The FCC has adopted detailed “slamming” rules to prevent telephone companies from switching subscribers from one preferred telephone company to another without authorization. These rules provide a remedy if you’ve been slammed.
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Your Rights If You Have Been Slammed

If you have been slammed and HAVE NOT paid the bill of the company that slammed you:

You DO NOT have to pay anyone for service for up to 30 days after being slammed. Therefore, you do not have to pay either your authorized telephone company (the company you actually chose to provide service) or the slamming company. You must pay any charges for service beyond 30 days to your authorized company, but at that company’s rates, not the slammer’s rates.

If you HAVE paid your telephone bill and then discover that you have been slammed:

The slamming (unauthorized) company must pay your authorized company 150% of the charges you paid. Out of this amount, your authorized company will then reimburse you 50% of the charges you paid to the slammer. For example, if you were charged $100 by the slamming company, that company will have to give your authorized company $150, and you will receive $50 as a reimbursement.

With these rules, the FCC has taken the profit out of slamming and protected consumers from illegal changes.

Authorized Switching Methods

Your telephone service cannot legally be switched from your existing preferred telephone company to a new company unless the new company verifies the switch using one of the following methods:

Uses an independent third party to verify your oral authorization to switch.

Provides and obtains your signature on a letter that indicates, in writing, that you want to switch preferred telephone companies.

Provides a toll-free number that you can call to confirm the order to switch preferred telephone companies.

NOTE: The Communications Act makes telephone companies responsible for the acts of their agents, including their telemarketers.

New Guidelines for Telemarketing Switches

Before a telephone company can place an order to switch a subscriber who agreed to sign up for service during a telemarketing call, the company must verify the subscriber’s decision to switch by: (1) connecting the customer to a third party verifier; (2) sending the subscriber a letter of agency (LOA) to sign and return; or (3) providing a toll-free number to the subscriber to confirm the decision electronically. The requirements for each method are:

Third Party Verification: All third party verifications must elicit from the subscriber: (1) the identity of the subscriber; (2) confirmation that the person on the call is authorized to make the change; (3) confirmation that the person on the call wants to make the change; (4) the names of the telephone companies affected by the change (not including the name of the displaced company); (5) the telephone numbers to be switched; (6) the types of service involved; and (7) appropriate verification data (such as, the subscriber's date of birth or social security number).

Third party verifiers may not market the telephone company's services by providing additional information, including information regarding preferred telephone company freeze procedures.

Letter of Agency: Any written or electronic LOA used to confirm a telemarketing order must include: (1) the subscriber's billing name and address; (2) each telephone number to be covered by the order to change the subscriber's preferred telephone company; (3) a statement that the subscriber intends to change from his or her current preferred telephone company to the new company; (4) a statement that the subscriber designates the new company to act as the agent for this change; and (5) a statement that the subscriber understands that there may be a charge for this change. The LOA also must be separate from any promotional material - like prizes or contest entry forms - that are mailed.

An LOA provided to you by a telephone company must be limited strictly to authorizing a change in preferred telephone company and clearly identified as an LOA authorizing a change. The LOA must be written in clear language, and make clear to you that the document, when signed, will change your preferred telephone company. The print must be readable and comparable in type, style, and size to any promotional materials. Only the name of the telephone company that will set your rates can appear on the LOA. The LOA must also contain full translations if it uses more than one language.

NOTE: Advertising promotions that send a check for payment to encourage you to switch preferred telephone companies can incorporate an LOA, but must meet specific guidelines. The check must contain the necessary information to make it payable, and can't contain any other promotional language or material.

The telephone company must place the required LOA language near the signature line on the back of the check. In addition, the company must print on the front of the check, in easily readable, bold-faced type, a notice that your signature will authorize a change in your preferred telephone company.

Toll-Free Number for Electronic Confirmation: Telephone companies electing to confirm sales electronically must establish one or more toll-free telephone numbers exclusively for that purpose. Calls to the number(s) will connect a subscriber to a voice response unit, or similar mechanism, that records the required information regarding the preferred telephone company change, including automatically recording the originating telephone number. Such authorization must be placed from the telephone number(s) for which the preferred telephone company is to be changed.

How to Protect Yourself Against Slamming

Be a careful consumer:

Always examine your telephone bill immediately and thoroughly. If you see a new preferred telephone company name on your bill, call the number that’s shown on that portion of the bill and ask for an explanation.

Be aware of the methods telephone companies can use to change your preferred telephone company legally. The FCC’s rules require telephone companies to obtain your clear permission to make such a change. For example, if a new telephone company sends you an LOA to verify that you want to switch your preferred telephone company service to that company, the LOA is only valid if you sign and date it. Only sign, date, and return it if you are sure you want to change to the new company.

Be sure you understand that switching long distance service also means switching international service. If you are considering switching preferred long distance telephone companies, be sure to ask whether any international calling plans you have with your current preferred long distance company will be offered by the new company.

Be firm with telemarketers:

If you receive a call from a telemarketer about switching your preferred telephone company and you’re not interested in changing, tell that to the caller. You can also ask the caller to remove your telephone number from its solicitation lists, and place your residential phone number on the national Do-Not-Call list. For more information about the national Do-Not-Call list, visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tcpa.html.

Thoroughly read all materials you receive in the mail:

If you receive a letter in the mail asking you to “verify” that you switched your preferred telephone company, and neither you nor anyone in your household authorized the change, immediately notify the sender that you did not authorize a switch. Then, immediately call your local telephone company to confirm that you want to remain with your existing preferred telephone company or companies.

Read the fine print in any sweepstakes or drawing entry form before filling it out.

The form may indicate that by signing it, you’ve given authorization to switch preferred telephone companies. In some states, such forms are illegal and should be reported to the state Attorney General’s office.

Be careful when answering telephone surveys.

Be careful in responding to telephone surveys. If the person answering the telephone says “yes” to any of the surveyor’s questions, the answers may be taped and used later as verification of authorization to switch preferred telephone companies.

“Freeze” your existing preferred telephone company.

A freeze lets your local telephone company know that you do not want it to switch your preferred telephone company unless it receives written or verbal authorization from you.

What to Do if You’ve Been Slammed

Call the slamming company and tell it that you want the problem fixed. If you have not paid, tell the slamming company that you will not pay for the first 30 days of service. Call your preferred telephone company to inform it of the slam, and tell it that you want to be reinstated to the same calling plan you had before the slam. Also tell your preferred telephone company that you want all “change of carrier charges” (charges for switching companies) removed from your bill.

You can call the following toll-free numbers to verify your preferred telephone company or companies:


1-700-555-4141 for long distance and international services and


1+your area code+700-4141 for local toll services.


You can also file a complaint. If you live in a state that accepts slamming complaints, you can file your complaint with your state public service commission. You can find a list of states that accept slamming complaints at www.fcc.gov/slamming. You can find contact information for your state public service commission at www.naruc.org or in the blue pages or government section of your local telephone directory. Contact your state public service commission to determine the precise filing procedures.

If you don’t live in a state that accepts slamming complaints, file your complaint with the FCC. You can file your complaint using our on-line complaint Form 501 found at www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html; e-mailing slamming@fcc.gov; faxing 202-418-0035; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
ATTN: SLAM TEAM, Room CY-A257
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.

What to Include in Your Complaint

The best way to provide all the information needed for the FCC to process your slamming complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint Form 501. If you file your complaint using Form 501 or by sending an e-mail, you must attach an electronic copy of any bill you are complaining about to the Form 501 or the e-mail.

If you do not use the on-line complaint Form 501, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:

your name, address, and daytime phone number;

the phone number that was allegedly slammed;

the name of the phone company that you are complaining about;

the name of your preferred or authorized local phone company;

the name of your preferred or authorized long distance (including international) phone company;
the amount of the charges you dispute and whether you paid them; and

a brief statement of facts.

REMEMBER: You MUST include a copy of any bill you are complaining about. Please indicate on the copy of any bill the name of the unauthorized phone company and the disputed charges.

For More Information

For more information about slamming, visit the FCC's slamming Web site at www.fcc.gov/slamming. For more information about other telecommunications-related issues, visit the FCC's Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb.

In addition, you can contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by emailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
455 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.

For this or any other consumer publication in an alternative format
(electronic ASCII text, Braille, large print, or audio) please write or
call us at the address or phone number below, or send an e-mail to FCC504@fcc.gov.

To receive information on this and other FCC consumer topics through
the Commission's electronic subscriber service, click on
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/contacts/.

This fact sheet is for consumer education purposes only and is not intended to
affect any proceeding or cases involving this subject matter or related issues.

04/24/07

Federal Communications Commission · Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau · 445 12th St. S.W. · Washington, DC 20554
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · Fax: 1-866-418-0232 · www.fcc.gov/cgb/
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Original article about phone slamming can be found here.

Men Are Like...

For all those men who say: "Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free?"
Here's an update for you:
Now a days, 80% of women are against marriage, WHY?
Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

Men are like....

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Now send this to all the remarkable women you know,
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Girls, Memorize This Number:

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Guys too if you want!

Only use this number in extreme situations.

You know which ones I'm talking about.

Where that guy at the bar won't leave you the hell alone!

Frig, can't they get a clue?

And if they can't, give them the number!

If they complain that no one answers, tell them to wait for the voicemail!

You won't regret it.

5 Ways to Add Years to Your Life

By: MSN's Health + Fitness
Click here for the original article
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Live 22 years longer with these simple steps

1. Next time you're asked "Soup or salad?" order the salad.
+2 years

Italian researchers found that eating as little as 1 cup of raw vegetables daily can add 2 years to your life. Why raw? Cooking can deplete up to 30 percent of the antioxidants in vegetables.

To eat your quota, fill a ziplock sandwich bag with chopped red and green peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Toss the bag into your briefcase, along with a packet of dressing — the fat will boost your body's absorption of certain nutrients.

2. Learn the Law of Lard: The fat you carry today could kill you tomorrow.
+3 years

University of Alabama researchers discovered that maintaining a body-mass index of 25 to 35 can shorten your life by up to 3 years. (Excess body fat raises your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer.)

If you're allergic to exercise, sweat with your significant other. A Duke University study shows that sedentary men are 50 percent more likely to work out three times a week if their partners participate.

3. Crack open a fresh can of nuts and extend your expiration date.
+3 years

When Loma Linda University researchers tracked the lifestyle habits of 34,000 Seventh-Day Adventists — a population famous for its longevity — they discovered that those who munched nuts 5 days a week, earned an extra 2.9 years on the planet.

Pick up the Planters NUT-rition Heart Healthy Mix: It contains all five key nuts, including walnuts, which are usually left out of nut mixes. Aim to eat 2 ounces a day.

4. Never forget that your buddies have your back — even when it's hunched over from osteoporosis.
+7 years

In a study of seventysomethings, Australian researchers found that those with the largest network of friends had the longest lease on life. For the average guy, this could add up to 7 additional years of existence.

Yes, some buddies may encourage risky behavior from time to time, but friendship ultimately provides more protection than peril. So try to learn a few new faces at work, trade lifting tips at the gym, or simply say "hey" to that neighbor you've never met. You can all thank each other later.

5. Repeat after us: "There is life after retirement."
+7 1/2 years
Or at least that's what you'd better believe if you want to live that long. In a Yale University study of older adults, people with a positive outlook on the aging process lived more than 7 years longer than those who felt doomed to deteriorating mental and physical health.

Already envisioning decades of decrepitude? Volunteer for a cause you're passionate about: Selfless actions can put a positive spin on life and distract from unhealthy obsessing, reports a study in Psychosomatic Medicine.
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By: MSN's Health + Fitness
Click here for the original article
5 Ways to Add Years to Your Life

I love My Life!

Whoa, sorry Kim2theKiko readers!

I've been spending most of my Net life on Facebook! But then again, I did work really hard on this site for awhile before accidentally deleting it!!! Geesh... then I had to work quickly and hard on recovering it!

Can I say "BACKUP your stuff!!!???"

No, seriously, backup it up. And do it on at least 3 different types of media.

1. Online Storage, probably the best one if you don't have to pay too much.
2. DVDs
3. Zip disks

Backup it up on anything that you won't carry often. Especially because you don't want the media to break/lose it/have it stolen!!

Anyway, back to why I love my life.

I've finally decided that it's time to pay attention to me first, second and last! Yah, it's selfish, but let me continue. I've been a practicing Christian for 18yrs of my life. But only 5 of it was in adulthood. Do the math... Anyway, I wasn't always good at practicing it because I would listen to what others would say to the point that I wasn't sure if I was worshipping the right God. It also seems like every 10yrs. the church has something different to say about God and his world. Gotta make up your mind people! Either he's a God who never changes, a God who sometimes changes or a God who changes all the time. PICK ONE already!!! Anyway, so, out of the blue, I decided that I'm done going to church. Now before you all fall off your seats, just hear me out for a second. Think of the prophets back in the day. Some of them were wondering the streets/jungles/different places without anyone around them. God spoke to them at these times and they did wonderful and often powerful things. Unfortuntately I can't come up with Bible verses to back up my statements, so I'm just stating the things that I remember from the Bible. So, I guess I want a life of solitude away from the church. If that makes me a non-Christian, so be it. I don't think God is gonna throw me down to the pits of hell just because I don't go to church. Maybe he will. And if he does, then it was probably for the best or else I would've been like Satan corrupting the born-again Christians in Heaven. And who needs another Satan? Certainly not the Christians who dedicated all their time, resources and energy to please God. I wouldn't want them to fall because of my presence.

My point is that reading the Bible + praying is good enough for me. If I happen to come across someone who has no idea about the Bible and what it stands for, then I'm happy to let them know what God's message(s) is about. But I will warn them that churches often make God look bad, so they need to choose wisely which church they go to. And even if the church they pick seems perfect and then slowly becomes full of snakes, that they should leave immediately, even if they invested all their time and resources to that church. Leave, then come back once the snakes have been exterminated. You wouldn't want to live in a house with bugs/snakes/rats, would you??? But don't be a coward like me and just leave. Let them know why you are leaving, and don't hold grudges. Because if you're still trying to be Christian, there's no room for that in God's world. Let him be the jealous, wrathful God, not you...

I finally have a great job! With only a high school level computer course to get this job and keep it too! I'm just living proof that there are but one way to attain what you want. Some ways are faster but harder and some or slower but easier! But I'm willing to learn new things and I'm cheerful, so I guess that helped too! It's the closet job to my dream job that I'll ever get to in my life without the proper education. But rest assured that I'm saving some of my money just in case this job disappears so that I can go to CDI college under Web Programmer or Vanier for Computer Science. Ultimately, I wanna work for Nintendo as a cartoonist or a web designer. For a realistic job, I want to be a web designer slash web programmer. I love the Internet and (almost) everything that it stands for!

I'm back to my old self. Which is a bitch for a lot of people. My old self consists of the following:

1. Living in a fantasy world, but once in awhile I come back down to reality.
2. Keeping to myself where nobody knows what I've been up to.
3. Reading + writing. I'm reading + enjoying fiction books again, which I haven't done in a long while. Also I've been song writing/making songs with the help of http://www.ocremix.org/
4. I have a beautiful relationship with my Billy. It'll only be a month this Sunday that we've been dating but I feel like I've known him all my life.

I think that's it for now.
Life can only be beautiful if you make it beautiful.
I mean you gotta do some of the work if you want things to happen!

Peace,
Kim2theKiko