Source: http://www.fcc.gov/print/node/41447
Timestamp: 2013-05-25 01:14:01
Document Index: 706226323

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 258', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 503', '§ 1', '§ 64', '§ 258', '§ 0', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 64']

Global Crossing Slamming Order
Word Document [1]PDF Document [2]Text Document [3]	Released: August 02 2012
DA 12-1243
IC No. 12-S003381 )
In this Order, we consider the complaint1 alleging that Global Crossing Telecommunications, Inc. (GCT) changed Complainant’s telecommunications service provider without obtaining authorization and verification from Complainant in violation of the Commission’s rules.2 We conclude that GCT’s actions violated the Commission’s carrier change rules and we grant Complainant’s complaint. 2.
Informal Complaint No. IC 12-S003381, filed April 9, 2012.
“slamming,” the submission or execution of an unauthorized change in a subscriber’s selection of a provider of telephone exchange service or telephone toll service.4 In the Section 258 Order, the Commission adopted aggressive new rules designed to take the profit out of slamming, broadened the scope of the slamming rules to encompass all carriers, and modified its existing requirements for the authorization and verification of preferred carrier changes. The rules require, among other things, that a carrier receive individual subscriber consent before a carrier change may occur.5 Pursuant to Section 258, carriers are absolutely barred from changing a customer's preferred local or long distance carrier without first complying with one of the Commission's verification procedures.6 Specifically, a carrier must: (1) obtain the subscriber's written or electronically signed authorization in a format that meets the requirements of Section 64.1130 authorization; (2) obtain confirmation from the subscriber via a toll-free number provided exclusively for the purpose of confirming orders electronically; or (3) utilize an independent third party to verify the subscriber's order.7
The Commission also has adopted liability rules. These rules require the carrier to absolve the subscriber where the subscriber has not paid his or her bill. In that context, if the subscriber has not already paid charges to the unauthorized carrier, the subscriber is absolved of liability for charges imposed by the unauthorized carrier for service provided during the first 30 days after the unauthorized change.8 Where the subscriber has paid charges to the unauthorized carrier, the Commission’s rules require that the unauthorized carrier pay 150% of those charges to the authorized carrier, and the authorized carrier shall refund or credit to the subscriber 50% of all charges paid by the subscriber to the unauthorized carrier.9 Carriers should note that our actions in this order do not preclude the Commission from taking additional action, if warranted, pursuant to Section 503 of the Act.10
We received Complainant’s complaint on April 9, 2012, alleging that Complainant’s telecommunications service provider had been changed to GCT without Complainant’s authorization. Pursuant to Sections 1.719 and 64.1150 of our rules,11 we notified 4
47 U.S.C. § 258(a).
See 47 C.F.R. § 64.1120.
See 47 C.F.R. § 64.1120(c). Section 64.1130 details the requirements for letter of agency form and content for written or electronically signed authorizations. 47 C.F.R. § 64.1130.
See 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.1140, 64.1160. Any charges imposed by the unauthorized carrier on the subscriber for service provided after this 30-day period shall be paid by the subscriber to the authorized carrier at the rates the subscriber was paying to the authorized carrier at the time of the unauthorized change. Id.
See 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.1140, 64.1170.
See 47 U.S.C. § 503.
47 C.F.R. § 1.719 (Commission procedure for informal complaints filed pursuant to Section 258 of the Act); 47 C.F.R. § 64.1150 (procedures for resolution of unauthorized changes in preferred carrier).
GCT of the complaint.12 GCT has failed to respond to the complaint within 30 days. The failure of GCT to respond or provide proof of the verification within the required 30 days is presumed to be clear and convincing evidence of a violation.13 Therefore, we find that GCT’s actions resulted in a violation of our carrier change rules and we discuss GCT’s liability below.14 We also will forward a copy of the record of this proceeding to our Enforcement Bureau to determine what additional action may be necessary.
GCT must remove all charges incurred for service provided to Complainant for the first thirty days after the alleged unauthorized change in accordance with the Commission’s liability rules.15 We have determined that Complainant is entitled to absolution for the charges incurred during the first thirty days after the unauthorized change occurred and that GCT may not pursue any collection against Complainant for those charges.16 Any charges imposed by GCT on the subscriber for service provided after this 30-day period shall be paid by the subscriber to their authorized carrier at the rates the subscriber was paying at the time of the unauthorized change.17
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 258 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 258, and Sections 0.141, 0.361 and 1.719 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.141, 0.361, 1.719, the complaint filed against GCT IS GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 64.1170(d) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.1170(d), Complainant is entitled to absolution for the charges incurred during the first thirty days after the unauthorized change occurred and GCT may not pursue any collection against Complainant for those charges.
Notice of Informal Complaint IC 12-S003381 was mailed on April 19, 2012. The Commission received the certified mail return receipt confirming delivery was made on April 23, 2012.
See 47 C.F.R. § 64.1150(d).
If Complainant is unsatisfied with the resolution of this complaint, Complainant may file a formal complaint with the Commission pursuant to Section 1.721 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.721. Such filing will be deemed to relate back to the filing date of Complainant’s informal complaint so long as the formal complaint is filed within 45 days from the date this order is mailed or delivered electronically to Complainant. See 47 C.F.R. § 1.719.
See 47 C.F.R. § 64.1160(b).
See 47 C.F.R. § 64.1160(d).
See 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.1140, 64.1160.
Source URL: http://www.fcc.gov/document/global-crossing-slamming-order
Links:[1] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-1243A1.doc
[2] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-1243A1.pdf
[3] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-1243A1.txt