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                                                                 May 12, 2010

                    How to Protect Yourself Against Slamming

   Be a careful consumer.

     * Always examine your telephone bill immediately and thoroughly. If you
       see a new telephone company name on your bill, call the number that's
       shown on that portion of the bill and ask for an explanation.

     * Be aware of the methods telephone companies can use to change your
       authorized telephone company legally. The FCC's rules require
       telephone companies to obtain your clear permission to make such a
       change. For example, if a new telephone company sends you a Letter of
       Agency (LOA) to verify that you want to switch to that company, the
       LOA is only valid if you sign and date it. Sign, date, and return the
       LOA only if you are sure you want to change to the new company.

     * Be sure you understand that switching long distance service also means
       switching international service. If you are considering switching your
       long distance telephone company, be sure to ask whether any
       international calling plans you have with your current long distance
       company will be offered by the new company.

   Be firm with telemarketers.

     * If you receive a call from a telemarketer about switching your
       authorized telephone company and you're not interested in changing,
       tell the telemarketer clearly. You can also ask the telemarketer to
       remove your telephone number from its solicitation lists, and place
       your residential telephone number on the national Do-Not-Call list.
       For more information about the national Do-Not-Call list, see the FCC
       consumer fact sheet at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tcpa.html.

   "Freeze" your existing authorized telephone company.

     * You can ask your local telephone company to place a "freeze" on your
       account to keep anyone other than you from changing your authorized
       telephone company selection. After placing a freeze, you must give
       your local telephone company written or verbal authorization to remove
       the freeze and change your authorized telephone company.

   More information on slamming is at:
   http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/slamming.html

   NEWS

   Federal Communications Commission

   445 12th Street, S.W.

   Washington, D. C. 20554

   This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the
   full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.

   See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

                                        News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

                                                 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

                                                          TTY: 1-888-835-5322