Call center software and unauthorized charges
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by: Alfred Kelly
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If you observe your phone
bill, you may come by a number of unauthorized charges. These
unauthorized charges are what many refer to as "Cramming."
Cramming involves the never before ordered services that have been
authorized, used and received. These charges fall into two general
categories: Club memberships and telecommunication products and
services.
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In order to avoid getting
scammed is to prepare. The following are ways on how to avoid them:
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You should be informed that your
typical phone billing can incur a number of charges like long
distance, information and entertainment services club memberships
and also non basic telecom services like voice mail and paging. This
is because your phone company can be subscribed to another phone
company that is making all the charges.
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With Caller ID, some slicker
companies are more equipped to trace your calls thus use your number
for other purposes. They are capable of making charges to your phone
bill with this technology.
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Before giving away your phone
number, most especially in filling up forms for contests like
sweepstakes, make sure that you read the fine print first.
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In calling 800 numbers, be wary of
entering codes, leaving your name and answering to “yes”
prompts. Some companies may may use this as a way to sending you a
bill over calls you did not make.
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When making a 900 number call,
make sure that after three seconds you are able to hang up after
hearing the message. This is because most 900 numbers really cost
money! Even if for instance, you are just calling to claim a “free
prize”, you will be charged.
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Call your local telephone company
and make sure that you are bale to block all 900 calls.
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Some 900 number calls are listed
as ordinary international toll calls, or calling card calls. Make
sure that you check with your phone company and have them
investigated and removed immediately.
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Some phone bill charges appear as
"Miscellaneous Charges and Credits” which means they can be
easily overlooked and thereby charged as yours when the bill comes
in. If you have observed this on your bill, make sure that you
follow all the instructions on your bill and report it immediately.
Once done, make sure that you get a copy of all the transactions
and/or return receipt requested so that once you have another phone
bill “error” you can present them proof that you actually
reported the incident.
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<em>(Alfred Kelly used to
work as a software experts at Intel with a degree in Chemical
Engineering, this software advocate likes to doodle with the
computer. Basically his past time includes breaking apart his PC and
bringing it back together again with his own hands. He spends most of
his free time reading engineering books and he even managed to set up
his own call center with his immediate family as his employees.)</em>
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<a href="http://www.mycallcentersoftware.com/">www.mycallcentersoftware.com</a>
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