Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC FINES COMPANY $1 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY SWITCHING 
CONSUMERS’ LONG DISTANCE CARRIERS
WASHINGTON, April 25, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission today announced a 
$1 million fine against a Florida-based long distance carrier, Advantage Telecommunications, for 
“slamming” and “cramming.” The company’s telemarketers violated Commission rules by
impersonating representatives of customers’ existing long-distance providers and switching the 
customers’ long-distance carriers without obtaining proper, verified authorization – called 
slamming.  Advantage also added unauthorized charges onto consumers’ telephone bills – often 
referred to as cramming.  In addition, the company violated the Commission’s truth-in-billing 
rules by failing to plainly and clearly describe its charges on bills.  The vast majority of
consumers impacted were small businesses.
The Commission obtained more than 150 complaints against Advantage, receiving complaints 
from consumers, other agencies, and the Better Business Bureau.  Small businesses, along with 
several individuals, reported that Advantage’s telemarketers impersonated employees of their 
existing long distance providers.  They only learned that their long distance service had been 
switched after receiving their telephone bills.
Commission rules prohibit a carrier from switching a consumer’s chosen long distance provider 
without obtaining properly-verified authorization or adding unauthorized charges onto a 
consumer’s telephone bill.  These practices, known as “slamming” and “cramming,” are unjust 
and unreasonable practices under the Communications Act.
For more information about the FCC’s rules protecting consumers from unauthorized charges on 
telephone bills, see the FCC consumer guides regarding cramming and slamming.
Action by the Commission April 24, 2017 by Order (FCC 17-50).  Chairman Pai and 
Commissioner Clyburn approving.  Commissioner O’Rielly concurring in part and dissenting in 
part.  
A copy of today’s Forfeiture Order is available at
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-50A1.pdf.
A copy of the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture is available at 
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-13-68A1.pdf.
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Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).