Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

FCC Plans $.4M Fine Against LDCB for Illegal Carrier Swaps, Charges

30/07/2015

Media Contact:

Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509

will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC PLANS $2.4 MILLION FINE AGAINST MICHIGAN COMPANY

FOR MISLEADING CONSUMERS

Long Distance Consolidated Billing Company' Allegedly Changed and Added

Charges To Consumers' Accounts Without Authorization

--

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2015 - The Federal Communications Commission plans a $2.4 million

fine against Long Distance Consolidated Billing Company. This telephone company, based in

Waterford, Michigan, allegedly switched consumers' regional toll service providers without their

authorization ( slamming ), misrepresented the company's identity during telemarketing calls,

and placed unauthorized charges on consumers' telephone bills ( cramming ).

It is unacceptable for any company to pad unauthorized charges on bills or trick consumers into

changing their preferred phone company, said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC Enforcement

Bureau. The FCC will not tolerate companies that deceive consumers into changing their

telephone services or carriers.

The Enforcement Bureau reviewed over 70 complaints against Long Distance Consolidated

Billing Company (LDCB) that consumers filed with the Commission, the Better Business

Bureau, state regulatory agencies, and directly with LDCB. Consumers repeatedly complained

that LDCB switched their regional toll service providers without their authorization. In some

cases, consumers stated that LDCB's telemarketer pretended to be employed by the consumer's

own telephone carrier. The investigation also showed that LDCB placed charges for its service

on consumers' local telephone bills without their authorization.

The Commission has charged LDCB with willfully and repeatedly switching consumers'

preferred regional toll carrier without verified authorization, misrepresenting its identity to

consumers, and cramming unauthorized charges onto consumers' telephone bills. Commission

rules prohibit a carrier from switching a customer's preferred long distance carrier without

obtaining authorization from the customer to make such a change. The Communications Act

makes it unlawful for a carrier to misrepresent its identity or the nature of its service to obtain that

authorization. The Act also makes it unlawful for a carrier to include unauthorized charges or

fees on consumers' telephone bills.

With today's action, the Commission has now taken more than 30 enforcement actions for

cramming or slamming in the past five years. These actions collectively have announced more

than $110 million in penalties to the U.S. Treasury, and are slated to return more than $250

million to consumers.

For more information about the FCC's rules protecting consumers from unauthorized charges on

telephone bills, see the FCC consumer guide to slamming, http://go.usa.gov/3AqPW, or

cramming, http://go.usa.gov/3AqPR.

To file a complaint with the FCC, go to https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us or contact

the FCC's Consumer Center by 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 by writing to:

Federal Communications Commission

Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division

445 12th Street, SW

Washington, DC 20554

The Notice of Apparent Liability is available at: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/

FCC-15-96A1.pdf

Action by the Commission July 30, 2015 by Order (FCC 15-96). Chairman Wheeler,

Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O'Rielly.

###

Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500

TTY: (888) 835-5322

Twitter: @FCC

www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order

constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).
LINK: http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-plans-24m-fine-against-ldcb-illegal-ca...
See more stories from fcc

More from FCC

25/11/2015

Tentative Agenda for Dec. 7 Open Commiion Meeting

Media Contact: Neil Grace, 202-418-0506 neil.grace@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR DECEMBER OPEN MEETING -- WASHINGTON,...

19/11/2015

FCC Proposes Enhancements to Wirele Emergency Alerts

Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen, (202) 418-1162 rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PROPOSES ENHANCEMENTS TO WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS -- WA...

19/11/2015

FCC Ensures Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wirele Voice Technologies

Media Contact: Cecilia Sulhoff, 202-418-0587 cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ENSURES HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY FOR ALL WIRELESS VOICE T...

18/11/2015

FCC Imposes $.44 Million Fine for Slamming by Preferred Long Distance

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC FINES PHONE COMPANY $1.44 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY SWITCHING SMAL...

16/11/2015

FCC, FTC Sign MOU on Consumer Protection Cooperation

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC AND FTC SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR CONTINUED COOPERAT...

05/11/2015

Cox Communications to Pay $595,000 to Settle Data Breach Investigation

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release COX COMMUNICATIONS TO PAY $595,000 TO SETTLE DATA BREACH INVESTIGA...

02/11/2015

FCC to Fine Hilton Hotels for Obstructing Wi-Fi Blocking Investigation

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC TO FINE HILTON HOTELS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH WI-FI BLOCKIN...

02/11/2015

FCC to Fine MC Dean $78K for Wi-Fi Blocking at Baltimore Conventions

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PLANS $718,000 FINE AGAINST M.C. DEAN FOR BLOCKING WI-FI AT BALT...

29/10/2015

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For November Open Meeting

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER OPEN MEETING -- WASHING...

22/10/2015

FCC Proposes Streamlined Ownership Procedures for Broadcasters

Media Contact: Neil Grace, (202) 418-0506 Neil.Grace@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PROPOSES TO STREAMLINE FOREIGN OWNERSHIP PROCEDURES FOR BROADCAST L...

22/10/2015

FCC Promotes Higher Frequency Spectrum for Future Wirele Technology

Media Contact: Cecilia Sulhoff (202) 418-0587 cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC TAKES STEPS TO FACILITATE MOBILE BROADBAND AND NEXT GENE...

22/10/2015

FCC Takes Next Big Steps In Reducing Inmate Calling Rates

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC TAKES NEXT BIG STEPS IN REDUCING INMATE CALLING RATES Also Se...

21/10/2015

FCC Releasing Data to Support Robocall-Blocking Technologies

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC RELEASES DATA FOR DO-NOT-DISTURB' TECHNOLOGIES Robocall D...

21/10/2015

FCC Fines Six Companies $0M for Deceptive Marketing of Calling Cards

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC FINES SIX COMPANIES $30 MILLION FOR MISLEADING CONSUMERS OF PR...

16/10/2015

FCC Announces Staff Changes

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release CONSUMER BUREAU CHIEF APPOINTS NEXT OMBUDSPERSON -- WASHINGTON, Octo...

13/10/2015

FCC Chairman Announces Staff Changes

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC CHAIRMAN TOM WHEELER ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES -- WASHINGTON, Oc...

01/10/2015

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For October Open Meeting

Media Contact: Morning Washburn, 202-418-0067 Morning.Washburn@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR OCTOBER OPEN MEETING -- ...

24/09/2015

Companies Fined $.4 Million for Failing to Handle 9 Calls

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release COMPANIES FINED $1.4 MILLION FOR FAILING TO ACCEPT 911 CALLS FOR A...

17/09/2015

FCC Proposes Rules to Promote Reliable Submarine Cable Communications

Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen, (202) 418-1162 rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PROPOSES RULES TO PROMOTE RELIABLE SUBMARINE CABLE COMMUNI...

17/09/2015

FCC Modernizes Broadcast Contest Rules

Media Contact: Janice Wise (202) 418-8165 janice.wise@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC MODERNIZES BROADCAST CONTEST RULE FOR ONLINE ACCESS Action allows ...

17/09/2015

FCC Takes Major Step in Review of $40 Billion Special Acce Market

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC Takes Major Step in Review of Competition in $40 Billion Spec...

17/09/2015

FCC Announces Excellence in Economics, Engineering Award Winners

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMICS, ENGINEERING AWARD WINNERS ...

11/09/2015

FCC Cites First National Bank and Lyft for Telemarketing Violations

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC CITES FIRST NATIONAL BANK AND LYFT FOR TELEMARKETING VIOLATION...

02/09/2015

FCC Takes Actions to Implement STELAR Act Requirements

Media Contact: Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165 janice.wise@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ADOPTS NEW MARKET MODIFICATION RULES TO ADDRESS ORPHAN COUNTIES,...

27/08/2015

CenturyLink Accepts $506 M from Connect America for Rural Broadband

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release CenturyLink Accepts Nearly $506 Million in Annual Support from Con...

27/08/2015

Carriers Accept Over $.5 B in Support to Expand Rural Broadband

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release Carriers Accept Over $1.5 Billion in Annual Support from Connect A...

27/08/2015

Consolidated Accepts $4 M From Connect America for Rural Broadband

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release Consolidated Telecom Accepts Nearly $14 Million in Annual Support ...

27/08/2015

AT&T Accepts $48 M From Connect America Fund for Rural Broadband

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release AT&T Accepts Nearly $428 Million in Annual Support from Connect Am...

27/08/2015

Cincinnati Bell Accepts $. M for Rural Broadband in Kentucky & Ohio

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release Cincinnati Bell Accepts Over $2.2 Million in Annual Support from C...

27/08/2015

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For September Open Meeting

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER OPEN MEETING -- WASH...

20/08/2015

FCC Plans Open Source Acceibility Platform

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC TO PROVIDE OPEN SOURCE ACCESSIBILITY PLATFORM TO HELP FEDERAL A...

19/08/2015

FCC Announces FairPoint Acceptance of Connect America Fund Support

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FairPoint Accepts $37.4 Million in Annual Support from Connect Ame...

18/08/2015

FCC Fines Smart City $750K for Blocking Wi-Fi

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC FINES SMART CITY $750,000 FOR BLOCKING WI-FI Company Used Wi-Fi M...

11/08/2015

FCC Imposes $.96 Million Fine for Prerecorded Sales Calls

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC FINES TRAVEL CLUB MARKETING $2.96 MILLION FOR ILLEGAL ROBOCALL...

07/08/2015

FCC Funds Four Rural Broadband Experiments Reaching 5,000 Consumers

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release Funding Authorized for Four Rural Broadband Experiments Serving Ov...

06/08/2015

FCC Reaffirms Pro-Competitive Reserve Spectrum in Incentive Auction

Media Contact: Charlie Meisch, (202) 418-2943 Charles.Meisch@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC REAFFIRMS DECISION TO RESERVE SPECTRUM TO PROMOTE COMPETITI...

06/08/2015

Commiioner Rosenworcel Announces Staff Changes

Media Contact: Jennifer Thompson, (202) 418-2400 jennifer.thompson@fcc.gov For Immediate Release COMMISSIONER ROSENWORCEL ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES -- WASH...

06/08/2015

FCC Launches Inquiry For Annual Broadband Progre Report

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC Launches Inquiry for Annual Broadband Progress Report Washing...

06/08/2015

FCC Adopts Rules For Unlicensed Services In TV And 600 MHz Bands

Media Contact: Charlie Meisch, (202) 418-2943 charles.meisch@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ADOPTS RULES FOR UNLICENSED SERVICES IN TV AND 600 MHz BANDS...

06/08/2015

FCC Establishes Incentive Auction Bidding Procedures

Media Contact: Charlie Meisch, (202) 418-2943 Charles.Meisch@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ESTABLISHES BIDDING PROCEDURES FOR 2016 INCENTIVE AUCTION ...

06/08/2015

FCC Adopts Rules To Help Americans Communicate During Emergencies

Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen, (202) 418-1162 rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ADOPTS RULES TO HELP AMERCIANS COMMUNICATE DURING EMERGENC...

06/08/2015

FCC Updates Rules to Spur Technology Transitions, Protect Consumers

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC Modernizes Rules to Encourage Technology Transitions, Protect ...

06/08/2015

FCC Adopts Wirele Microphone Rules

Media Contact: Charlie Meisch, (202) 418-2943 charles.meisch@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ADOPTS RULES TO ENABLE WIRELESS MICROPHONE USE IN NEW SPEC...

05/08/2015

Windstream Takes $75M Connect America Offer To Expand Rural Broadband

Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release Windstream Communications Accepts Nearly $175 Million in Annual Su...

30/07/2015

FCC Plans $.4M Fine Against LDCB for Illegal Carrier Swaps, Charges

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PLANS $2.4 MILLION FINE AGAINST MICHIGAN COMPANY FOR MISLEADIN...

24/07/2015

FCC Grants Approval Of AT&T-DIRECTV Transaction

Media Contact: Kim Hart, (202) 418-8191 Kim.hart@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC GRANTS APPROVAL OF AT&T-DIRECTV TRANSACTION WASHINGTON, July 24, 2015 -...

23/07/2015

GPSPS Fined $9M for Illegal Phone Co. Swaps, Charges, Fake Recordings

Media Contact: Shannon Gilson, (202) 418-0505 Shannon.Gilson@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC FINES GPSPS $9.065 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY BILLING CUSTOMERS...

20/07/2015

FCC Commemorating 5 Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Media Contact: Mike Snyder, (202) 418-0997 michael.snyder@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC TO HOST A PANEL EVENT TO COMMEMORATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ...

17/07/2015

T-Mobile to Pay $7.5 Million to Resolve 9 Outage Investigation

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 Will.Wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC REACHES $17.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH T-MOBILE FOR NATIONWIDE 91...

16/07/2015

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For August Open Meeting

Media Contact: Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR AUGUST OPEN MEETING -- WASHINGTON...