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(11/21/2005)
South Dakota Officials Warn of New Phone Scheme Involves illegal switching of telephone service The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and the Attorney General warn South Dakotans to beware of a new telephone slamming scheme. The agencies define slamming as the unauthorized and illegal switching of a consumer’s telephone service. Some telecommunications providers make misleading statements and deceptive offers when dealing with unsuspecting consumers. These offers may include prizes, rebates and contests. South Dakota law requires that the provider obtain either a written request or a taped verification of a consumer’s request for a change before the switch is completed. A South Dakota business was contacted via phone by a telephone service representative who claimed she was contacting the business because of a billing error made by the telephone provider. She stated that the provider changed business accounts to residential accounts and has since been ordered by a judge to contact the businesses involved and have them verify information. The business representative became suspicious and contacted the PUC. Anyone that is contacted by a telephone provider with a similar or suspicious claim is urged to take down the phone number as well as other available information and relay this to either the PUC or the Attorney General’s office. Contact the PUC by calling (800) 332-1782 or e-mailing pucconsumerinfo@state.sd.us. Contact the Attorney General’s office by calling (800) 300-1986 or e-mailing consumerhelp@state.sd.us.
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