AT&T Cited for 'slamming'

Washington- The Federeal Communication Commission (FCC) cited AT&T Corp for switching long distance customers long distance service without the customers knowledge.

In issuing the notice of "apparent liability," the FCC said it found that AT&T "apparently violated the commission's rules" by substituting itself for the customer's current long distance carrier.

"Slamming," the practice of switching long-distance service without customers knowledge is "a widespread industry problem," said FCC spokeswoman Susan Sallet. As a result, the FCC last year issued rules to make it harder for companies to engage in the practice.