ROCKEFELLER: UNAUTHORIZED TELEPHONE CHARGES ARE HURTING WEST VIRGINIANS

'When Crammers Win, Consumers Lose,' Senator Says After Yearlong Study Into Mystery Charges

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller today said he is considering a new law to protect West Virginians and all consumers after his Commerce Committee investigation showed telephone customers are routinely burdened with unauthorized mystery charges on their landline phone bills.

"The bottom line is that West Virginians shouldn't have to pay for things they aren't getting," Rockefeller said. "Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening. I've heard from dozens of West Virginians and business-owners as well as state agencies, and they've all asked the same thing: what can you do to stop this? Today's hearing will go a long way toward doing that."

Rockefeller, who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, called the hearing after a yearlong Committee investigation into "cramming," the term used to describe the practice of unauthorized charges on landline telephone bills. MORE...