Are you at risk for mobile cramming?

Mobile cramming is an illegal practice where charges are added to your mobile phone bills that you didn’t know about or authorize. According to the Federal Trade Commission, this practice has become practically an epidemic. So what can you do to protect yourself?
[checklist]

  • Check your phone bill. Go through your bill each month and look at it line by line. Know what each charge is for and why you are paying it.
  • Call your carrier. Ask them to block all third-party charges. Often this service is free of charge, but you have to ask for it.
  • Request a refund. If you have received any charges you did not authorize, call and request a refund. Most carriers have a 60-day period for refunds, so check your last two statements as well as each new statement.
[/checklist] If you have been a victim of mobile cramming, file a complaint with the FTC by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or by going to the FTC’s website. The site also has additional information about mobile cramming.

At HealthNet Federal Credit Union, we care about our members and want to help you stay protected. For more educational articles, check out our newsletter at http://www.healthnetfcu.org/newsletter.htm. To become a member, please call a Member Services Representative at 901-226-1111 or visit one of our four locations.