The FCC has proposed a $5.23 million fine against U.S. Telecom Long Distance Inc. (USLTD) for allegedly changing consumers’ preferred long distance carriers without prior authorization and billing for unauthorized charges and failing to describe charges simply and clearly as required by federal law.
The FCC received numerous complaints from consumers that USLTD’s telemarketers had mislead them into believing they were calling on the behalf of their current long distance provider. Many consumers were shocked to find out that USLTD had switched their preferred long distance carrier and billed them for unauthorized charges. Several of the complaints also stated that the USLTD representatives pretended to be calling from the FCC itself.
