Did long-distance 'slamming' get easier? (Up Front).(federal appeals court rules against Federal Communications Commission )(Brief Article)

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Federal Communications Commission went too far with regulations designed to protect consumers from the federal crime of "slamming"--having your long-distance service switched to a different company without your consent.

The FCC has required long-distance companies to obtain actual authorization from the customer for a switch in service. The company had to obtain a letter authorizing the change or it had to have an independent party call the customer to confirm.

A letter or phone call is still required. But in a decision handed down on April 8, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that carriers must only believe they're dealing with a customer capable of authorizing a switch. If the carrier is wrong, the switch is still legal.

Even with the court's ruling, however, slamming remains a crime.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

* Ask your local phone company for a "primary ...