Nevada Carrier Will Pay $1.3 Million To Resolve Wireless Cramming Investigation

Assist 123, a Las Vegas (NV) telecommunications carrier, will pay $1.3 million to resolve a Federal Communications Commission investigation into allegations that the company billed wireless telephone consumers for a “Concierge/Directory Assistance” subscription text messaging service, a service that they did not want or authorize.

This practice is commonly known as “cramming.” This is the FCCs third enforcement action recently involving alleged cramming violations, following a proposed $7.62 million fine to Optic Internet Protocol and a proposed $1.6 million fine to Net One International Assist 123 and its affiliated companies billed consumers for unwanted Premium Short Messaging Service (PSMS) communications. These billing practices generated over 2,600 pages of complaints and inquiries from consumers.