What is "Cramming?"
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"Cramming" is when a carrier other than your chosen local or long-distance company slaps a charge on your phone bill for a service you never ordered or received. Usually, the charge appears on the last page of your bill.

But how does it get there in the first place? Maybe you get a telemarketing call or a piece of junk mail. Maybe you visit a Web site that offers a "free" service or entry in a sweepstakes. Maybe you don't do anything like that. Suddenly, on your next phone bill, there's a monthly fee for a vaguely named service, such as "voice mail" or "membership fee." Examples include unfamiliar charges for "Enhanced Long Distance Set Up" and "Personal Contact Solutions Vmail." Remember, just because a charge is included on your local bill does not mean it is legitimate.
How do I prevent it?
Cramming is a scam that relies on people not reading their bill very closely. Your number one defense against these fraudulent charges is reading your phone bill every month.
What if I see a strange charge on my phone bill?
•  Call the cramming company and dispute the questionable charges. The number should be on your bill.
•  If the cramming company sent you a bill through your local phone company, contact the local company to explain your complaint. Inform it that you're disputing the charge and you're only paying for your regular calling charges—the undisputed part of your bill. Make sure you agree what that undisputed amount is, and record the time of the call and the full name of the person you talk to.
•  If the cramming company doesn't agree to lift the charge, file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's Office. Keep one copy for yourself and send the other to the cramming company.
As long as you continue to pay your regular calling charges, your phone company will send the questionable fee back to the alleged crammer, forcing it to prove the charge was authorized.
Who do I call to block mysterious third-party charges?
Contact your local phone company. They'll block these charges for free.

Illinois Attorney General's Office
Central Illinois (217-782-1090)
Consumer Fraud (1-800-243-0618)

Southern Illinois (618-529-6400/6401)
Consumer Fraud (1-800-243-0607)

Northern Illinois (312-814-3000)
Consumer Fraud (1-800-386-5438)

AT&T
1-800-288-2020

Frontier
1-877-462-8188