According to the FCC, cramming and slamming are the main sources of consumer complaints. If these things happen to you, you could be dramatically overpaying for your long distance service. Review your bill each month to be sure any strange charges or company names haven't suddenly appeared. Know your long distance needs. There is not one right plan for everyone when it comes to long distance.
Some plans have very low per minute rates but high monthly fees.
Others have much higher per minute rates and no fees. By understanding your calling patterns you can make a much more informed buying decision. Don't rely on a telemarketer to call you with a good deal, go out and find one. While you could spend a year reading about long distance plans and still not have researched them all, it is a good idea to compare at least a few plans. Before signing up for a new long distance service, get out your magnifying glass and read the tiny print.