The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a monetary forfeiture of $5.9 million against a Texas telecommunications company, as the Commission continues its aggressive pursuit against operators who illegally switch consumers’ long distance carriers without authorization (a practice known as “slamming”).
According to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture adopted in March 2015, the company, Roman LD, Inc. of Irving, TX allegedly misrepresented its identity in telemarketing calls to consumers and then fabricating audio records as “proof” of consumers’ authorizations to switch service providers. In its investigation of Roman’s activities, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau reportedly reviewed more than 100 complaints received by the Commission, the Better Business Bureau and state regulatory agencies.
The investigation also determined that the company ownership, including its authority to provide telecommunications services, was transferred without prior Commission approval.
Roman has been charged with willfully and repeatedly switching consumers’ preferred long distance carriers without authorization, and with the unauthorized transfer of the control of the company. Both acts violate provisions of the federal Communications Act and FCC rules.
