This process gave AT&T's competitors a "slam dunk" method for the unauthorized switching of a customer's long-distance service.
The contests or surveys are usually general in nature, and the participant is unaware that the "small print" on their entry is an authorization to switch their telephone service to another carrier.
Another common sales pitch leading to slamming involves misrepresentation of the slammers as account agents of the victim's current carrier, offering better rates or a free upgrade to existing service.
In Britain, complaints have been received by OFCOM relating to mobile telephone contracts being renewed without the consent of customers.
), or of mobile telephone companies using private data to switch customers onto landline services provided by their subsidiaries.
This means that no changes will take place unless the local carrier receives a request from the service provider in writing.
[4] In 2007, these rules were extended to include mis-selling of voice and broadband services using full Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) technology.
Relevant state and federal legislation makes it an offence to bill for unsolicited goods or services, and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (www.tio.com.au) will usually compel the offending company to reverse the transfer and waive all charges.