Implementation of the Subscriber Carrier Selection Changes Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Policies and Rules Concerning Unauthorized Changes of Consumers Long Distance Carriers

In this document, the Commission adopts rules proposed in the Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the slamming provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Telecommunications carriers are prohibited from carrier from submitting or executing an unauthorized change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange service or telephone toll service. This practice, known as "slamming," enables those companies who engage in fraudulent activity to increase their customer and revenue bases at the expense of consumers and law-abiding companies. The rules adopted in this document will improve the carrier change process for consumers and carriers alike, while making it more difficult for unscrupulous carriers to perpetrate slams.