Basic Rate Plan Subscribers Should Consider Switching Plans - Basic rate plan subscribers have seen their bills increase by an average of 55% or more since 2000, according to a new survey(iii) by San Francisco-based watchdog group Consumer Action. Basic rate plans are the default plans that customers are assigned when they do not choose a plan with their long distance carrier. Many long distance carriers are introducing monthly charges or minimums on their basic rate plans which can eliminate the savings that very low-volume callers often receive with these plans. Basic rate plan subscribers may find that they can save money by switching plans.
Get Local and Long Distance Billed Separately to Avoid Fee - Local service providers often offer an option of getting consumers' long distance bill included in their monthly local bills. Consumers should check the long distance portion of their bills carefully because they are more than likely being charged a "single bill fee" for this convenience. This fee is especially likely if their long distance company is not the same as their local carrier. Consumers who find that they are being charged this "single bill fee" should contact their long distance provider and request that they be billed separately for long distance service. While there is an added inconvenience and cost in paying and mailing the long distance bill separately, consumers may find that they save several dollars per month by putting in the extra work.
Check Bills Carefully to Avoid New Fees - Make sure to pay attention to letters and notices included with your monthly bill to stay aware of changes to your account, including the introduction of new fees. According to FCC rules, carriers must notify plan subscribers in writing of any changes to their accounts. Unfortunately, many carriers often bury these notices in fine print or include them as loose flyers in your monthly bill. Keeping a close eye on all communications from your carrier could save you money at the end of the month.
WIRELESS WATCH
New AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless "Unlimited" Calling Features Have Limits - In the past 10 days, Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless have announced new "unlimited" calling plans. Are these deals as good as they sound? Yes and no. First, both plans offer unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling only to other subscribers of the same carrier. If a Verizon Wireless customer calls a friend's T-mobile phone, for example, he or she will still be charged for normal minute usage. Additionally, new and existing customers of both companies must agree to one or two-year contracts on plans costing $39.99 or more per month to take advantage of the "unlimited" mobile-to-mobile calling. Consumers who have a lot of friends and family on the same carrier and call them often could save money with the new services. However, the average U.S. wireless customer uses about 570 minutes per month. With many plans costing $39.99 or more already offering close to that amount of anytime minutes, the new "unlimited" features may sound more enticing than they ultimately prove to be.
SPAM WATCH
How to Avoid Getting Legitimate E-mails Blocked by Spam Filters - In trying to avoid spam e-mails, many users may inadvertently be blocking legitimate e-mails from friends, family, and colleagues. In order to avoid these so-called "false positives," consumers should consider sending important e-mails via ISP-provided e-mail addresses. Many spam filters, especially on office networks, automatically block any incoming message from major "free" e-mail providers such as Hotmail, Yahoo!, and MSN. If their e-mail software allows it, consumers should be sure to take advantage of "white list" features that allow users to specify "safe" e-mail addresses that are always allowed through the filters. Also, users should be sure to check and empty "junk" e-mail folders often to make certain that legitimate messages that are caught by the filters don't get trashed by accident. Finally, if a message must be absolutely certain to get through to its recipient, consumers should consider using on the "old-fashioned" telephone or fax machine instead of e-mail.
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/resources/state.shtml
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