Most frequently asked questions about CCI long distance service.
- How do I choose a long distance provider?
- How do I change my long distance provider?
- What is Intra-Lata and Inter-Lata?
- What is a PIC Freeze?
- How do I place a PIC freeze on my telephone line?
- What is Slamming?
- How can I protect myself from being “Slammed”?
- What can I do if I have been “Slammed”?
- What is Cramming?
- How do I know when I have been “Crammed”?
- How do Cramming charges occur?
- What can I do if I have been “Crammed”?
1. How do I choose a long distance provider?
Lifestyle and personal preference will dictate which long distance company will serve your particular needs. While most long distance companies offer similar services to stay competitive, there are often small differences that can affect your bill and/or your degree of satisfaction. Here are some questions to ask when shopping for a long distance provider.
- Does the company offer service in your area? Long distance companies can provide coverage for either Inter-lata or Intra-lata or both latas.
- What unit of measurement is used to bill your long distance? For example, is the billing rate based on one-minute increments or 30-second increments?
- Does the company charge a monthly service fee, minimum monthly usage amount,universal service fee?
- What are the total charges that you will pay for the service?
- Are the charges distance or time sensitive?
- Does the company provide 800# service? Are there any options available? What fees are applicable?
- Does the company provide calling cards? Are there any options available? What fees, rates, and/or surcharges are applicable? Return to top.
2. How do I change my long distance provider?
There are three ways to change your long distance provider:
- The fastest way is to contact us. A customer service representative can immediately process an order that will route your long distance calls to your new long distance provider.
- After making your choice of long distance provider(s), your new provider can send a “Letter of Agency” (L.O.A.) to your local telephone company, requesting a change of carriers. However, incorrect and/or incomplete account information submitted to the local telephone company by a long distance carrier on a “Letter of Agency” will be grounds for rejection of the request. Accurate account information needs to be communicated to the long distance carrier correctly. For example, if you own a business and the telephone number is in the name of your business, the business name is the name that must go on the “L.O.A.” submitted to the local telephone company to make the change. Unless your account has a “PIC” Freeze (see question #5), the carrier will be changed without verification.
- Accessing long distance carriers’ lines with access codes to make long distance calls, on a per-call basis, is the final way to change your long distance provider. (i.e., 10-10-xxx Dial Around Plans) Return to top.
3. What is Intra-Lata and Inter-Lata?
Each Consolidated Communications Customer has two service areas for long distance. These areas are designated as “Intra-lata”, within your “lata” and,“Inter-lata”, which covers the area outside the area designated as “Intra-lata”. Each “lata” needs a designated long distance provider to carry your long distance telephone traffic. To verify your long distance provider, simply dial (while on the telephone line in question) 1-700-555- 4141 for the “Inter-lata” provider; and 1-(the area code)-700-4141 for the “Intra-lata” provider. Return to top.
4. What is a PIC Freeze?
A PIC freeze is actually a note placed on your account with your local telephone company that indicates that changes in your long distance provider can only be made with your express authorization. The “PIC” freeze protects your account from “slamming” (see question #7). Return to top.
5. How do I place a PIC freeze on my telephone line?
Simply contact us to place the PIC freeze on your line. Return to top.
6. What is Slamming?
“Slamming” is the term used when you as a customer’s long distance provider is changed without your authorization. Return to top.
7. How can I protect myself from being “Slammed”?
- Read the fine print on coupons and contest-entry forms. You could be unintentionally authorizing a change in your long distance service.
- When calling unfamiliar 800 numbers do not enter codes, leave your name or answer “yes” to prompts.
- Read the whole form (including the fine print) before you cash the check. Some companies pay you to switch your long distance. Cash the check only if you are interested in using their long distance services.
- Consider adding a “PIC” Freeze to your line(s), to protect your account from unauthorized changes to your long distance service. A PIC freeze on your telephone line prohibits another long distance carrier from claiming that it has been authorized to request a carrier change on your behalf.
- Telemarketer Savvy: Make sure that the caller is who they claim to be...if you are interested in an offer, get a number to call them back. If the telemarketer does not want to give you a callback number, caution would be advised. If the caller claims to be with your local telephone company, verify the information prior to giving the caller any telephone information or authorization to change your service. If you do not want to change your service be sure you express that. If they persist and become rude, hang up. Return to top.
8. What can I do if I have been “Slammed”?
Verify your long distance carrier for the line by dialing 1-(the area code)-700-4141 for the “Intra-lata” provider, and, 1-700-555-4141 for the “Inter-lata” provider. Contact us for questions on restoring your long distance service. Return to top.
9. What is Cramming?
“Cramming” is a term used to describe the practice of placing unauthorized, misleading or deceptive charges on telephone bills by a service that “feeds” the local telephone billing system. Return to top.
10. How do I know when I have been “Crammed”?
- Check each item on your telephone bill every month.
- Look for unfamiliar charges.
- Examine recurring monthly charges for consistency.
- Watch for fees described as “Min. Use Fee”, “Activation”, Membership Fees,“Website... reports, development”, or something similar. If you have a question, contact your local telephone company for verification of the charge. Return to top.
11. How do Cramming charges occur?
In addition to providing local telephone service, local telephone companies often bill their customers for services provided by other companies. Cramming charges can be included when a long distance telephone company or another type of service provider sends inaccurate billing data–whether through oversight or intentionally–to the local telephone company. The local telephone company then bills their customer for the calls and/or services. Return to top.
12. What can I do if I have been “Crammed”?
Contact your local telephone company for information on the charge(s) in question. Contact the company that originated the charge and inform them that the charges/services were not authorized and that you would like a credit issued. Return to top.