Where I Stand — Ruthe Deskin: Take care to avoid getting hung up on phone cramming

Tuesday, July 28, 1998 | 11:23 a.m.

"CRAMMING" IS an old school term referring to the act of assimilating all the information we can in a very short time in order to be prepared for a written or oral examination.

Now the word has a new meaning.

According to a pamphlet issued by the attorney general's office, cramming is the "unscrupulous and illegal practice of placing charges for unauthorized services on a consumer's telephone bill."

"These charges, which usually appear as a monthly fee, can be for a variety of services including paging service, voice mail, long-distance calling cards, personal 800 numbers, 900-number membership clubs and psychic-help services."

I've been crammed.

Recently I found long-distance charges that didn't belong to me on my telephone bill. I admit that a call to my provider assured me that the charges would be removed from the next bill. It amounted only to $3 or $4, so I never checked to see whether I had been credited for the amount. It did teach me one thing, and that is to check my telephone bill carefully before paying.

Now, it seems, cramming isn't unusual and the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the attorney general's office is taking note.

They warn that we should check bills carefully each month; be aware of signing up for any special promotions, usually offered through an unwanted solicitation call; do not divulge personal information of any kind; keep a record of calls you have authorized; and don't accept collect calls from unfamiliar persons.

The consumer has a right to dispute any charges which appear on the telephone bill and you do not have to pay for services you did not authorize.

If you find unauthorized charges on your telephone bill, contact the company that charged you for the calls, ask for an explanation and request a billing adjustment. Contact your local telephone company and explain your concerns.

If all else fails, send a written complaint to Nevada Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 1000 East William St., Suite 200, Carson City, NV 89701-3117. If you live in Las Vegas, you can call 486-3786.

If you would like a copy of the pamphlet on cramming, write the attorney general's office with your request.

Meanwhile, check that phone bill.

Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I've always felt there are many more kind and compassionate people in this world than there are evil.

A letter from Jack Stoddard proves my point:

"Recently, our 7-year-old son, Billy, stopped breathing. Thanks to my wife's training in CPR and the fast response from our 911 call, our son is alive and well in the ICU ward at Sunrise Hospital.

"Thinking that I'd like to cheer up Billy, I called from my card file and heard, 'Dandy, the clown, how may I help you?' I said that we had used him before and that I had another job for him. I explained everything to Dandy and a time was set for him to visit my son.

"Billy had been given a sedative and no matter what we tried, Billy just wouldn't wake up. But that didn't stop Dandy. He put on a great show for all the kids in the ward. Hats and animals made out of balloons were given to all. Billy had at least six animals and one big heart left on his bed for him to wake up to. One little girl was crying because she had to go for another operation, but Dandy made sure she had a toy to take with her, and she left with a smile.

"When I asked Dandy on the phone what the price would be, he said, 'I don't charge for that. I like to give a little back to the community when I can.'

Jack Stoddard ended his story with, "God bless you, Dandy."

And I add my blessings to people such as Dandy who put their love of children and their desire to do good before any material reward.

"In Henderson, of course."

For years, Ben Stepman has been touting Henderson and his automobile agency with that phrase and outstretched hands.

At the same time, he has been a major contributor to his community, and for that he is being honored by the Henderson Seniors' Auxiliary.

The tribute dinner is scheduled for Sept. 12. Tickets are $35 each with proceeds to go to the auxiliary and to the Black Mountain Nutrition Program.

When the cupboards are bare at the Salvation Army, people go hungry.

Sun reader Tony Lese believes all the churches in Las Vegas should take up food collections at least twice a year to ease the burden on the Salvation Army.

All it needs, he believes, is someone with clout who can get the churches together in this worthy cause.

Joe Williams is one of the best-known jazz singers in America -- maybe the world. He is also a longtime resident of Las Vegas.

Sunday, he will be the first of a number of columnists who will appear in this space during the month of August.

It has been a tradition at the Sun, set by publisher Hank Greenspun, to offer locals an opportunity to discuss subjects in which they have expertise.

The Sun editorial board made the decision to change the formula from public office-holders and politicians and to embrace local residents who might not have had an opportunity to express themselves through a newspaper column.

Watch "Where I Stand" during the month of August for some surprises.