WIRELESS WATCH
43% of Mobile Users Have Had Phones Lost, Damaged or Stolen, Study Says - According to a recent survey by Fusion One almost half (43%) of mobile phone owners have lost, damaged or had their phone stolen at some point. Almost three-fourths (72%) of them never got their phone back and 49% were able to replace less than half of the stored contact numbers. Most wireless phone companies offer insurance against loss, theft, or damage to subscribers' phones for a monthly fee of $2.99-$4.95 per month with deductibles generally ranging from $35-$50 per claim. For consumers prone to losing their phones, a few dollars per month on insurance could be a good deal, especially for owners of the more theft-prone expensive ($150 or more) models. Remember, in the case of loss or theft, most wireless carriers will require a police report before they will honor a claim. TIP: Users who lose their phones and do not have insurance may want to offer to extend their contract with their current carrier in exchange for a discount on a replacement phone. For more information on the FusionOne study, click here(iii).
SCAM WATCH
Beware of 809 Area Code Scam - An old scam has been cropping up lately in a new form. In most cases, victims receive bogus e-mails, voice mails, or pages (often from someone posing as an AT&T representative) requesting the recipient call a number immediately for one of several reasons. The most common reasons involve calling for information about a relative who has died, been arrested or injured. The victim is then directed to call a phone number in the 809 area code. When consumers fall prey and call the number (which is in fact in the Dominican Republic), the scam artist attempts to keep the caller on the line for as long as possible to increase the caller's long distance calling charges. Consumers should also be aware that it is usually necessary to dial 011 to reach an international location. However, there are some locations outside the United States, such as the Caribbean and Canada, whose telephone numbers resemble domestic long-distance calls, but carry a higher international rate. For more information on this scam, click here(iv).
SPAM WATCH
Is Your Inbox Cleaner? - Experts are saying that the jury is still out on the effect the CAN SPAM Act is having on the spam epidemic. Some argue that malicious spam has increased and only legitimate e-mailers are at risk due to the provisions of the Act. Others say it is too early to judge. TRAC is hopeful things will get better if law enforcement agencies get more aggressive. What is your experience so far? More spam? Less spam? No change? TRAC invites readers to e-mail us at trac@trac.org with their experiences with spam since the CAN SPAM Act took effect on January 1, 2004.
TRAC IN THE NEWS
TRAC Mentioned in Newsweek - As first reported in TRACNotes, Sprint's and MCI's rate hikes were mentioned in the July 19 issue of Newsweek in the "Tip Sheet/Money" section with a referral to TRAC's website for consumers looking to track their phone rates. Click here(v) to access the story.
INTERESTING LINKS
FCC Main Page - http://www.fcc.gov
FCC Complaint Form - http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm
List of State Regulatory Commissions - http://www.naruc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=15
What do you think? Got a tip you want to share? Nominate your "Scam of the Week" and your "Tip of the Week" - If we select your submission, we'll give you a one-year free membership in TRAC and acknowledge your contribution by name in TRACNotes. Send an e-mail to trac@trac.org to submit your ideas!
©2004 Telecommunications Research and Action Center. TRAC grants unlimited rights to reproduce TRACNotes or any information contained in it provided attribution is given as follows: "Source:Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org"
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