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Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC PROPOSES $3.9 MILLION FINE AGAINST NEON PHONE 
SERVICE FOR SLAMMING AND CRAMMING
Neon Apparently Used Deceptive Marketing Practices & 
Provided the Commission with False Information
  --
WASHINGTON, October 3, 2017—The Federal Communications Commission today proposed a 
nearly $4 million fine against Neon Phone Service of Rockledge, Florida for “slamming” and 
“cramming.”  The company appears to have violated Commission rules by switching customers’ 
long distance carriers without obtaining proper, verified authorization—an illegal practice called 
slamming.  It also apparently added unauthorized charges onto consumers’ telephone bills—often 
referred to as cramming.  
The Commission received numerous consumer complaints claiming that Neon had switched their 
long distance service providers without authorization and added unauthorized charges to their 
bills.  As is FCC practice, the agency’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau served Neon 
with these complaints and asked for a response from the company.  In response, Neon provided 
the agency with apparently fabricated audio recordings as evidence that the consumers had agreed 
to switch to Neon’s service.  The Commission’s Enforcement Bureau then formally inquired 
about the consumer complaints, and Neon failed to respond to the Bureau’s request for 
information or provide any type of proof that the carrier changes were authorized.  
The Enforcement Bureau’s investigation also found that, in at least one case, Neon’s telemarketer
deceptively claimed to be calling on behalf of the consumer’s existing provider to trick the 
consumer into switching carriers. 
Due to Neon’s apparent violations of the Communication Act and FCC rules for these actions, the 
Commission is proposing a $3,963,722 fine against Neon. Neon will have 30 days to respond to 
this proposed fine, formally called a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture.  The 
Commission will then review the response and any additional evidence, and may then proceed to 
issue a final forfeiture order.  
For more information about the FCC’s rules protecting consumers from unauthorized charges on 
telephone bills, see the FCC consumer guides regarding cramming and slamming.
The Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture is available at: 
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-128A1.pdf
Action by the Commission October 3, 2017 by Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (FCC 
17-128). Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn, Carr and Rosenworcel 
approving. Commissioner O’Rielly approving in part and dissenting in part. Chairman Pai and 
Commissioner Clyburn issuing a joint statement. Commissioner Rosenworcel issuing a 
statement.
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
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. Cir. 1974).