This is national consumer protection week and the Illinois Attorney General's office is teaming up with other consumer advocates to raise awareness of what's known as "cramming."Attorney General Lisa Madigan says cramming happens because most people don't scrutinize the lengthy list of charges on their phone bill each month and end up paying for several charges from third party companies. Cramming consists of charges assessed to a customer's phone number by a third party vendor. Madigan says she has yet to see a legitimate third party charge. Madigan says cramming is a two-billion dollar a year industry.
The Attorney General is working with state lawmakers on legislation to end cramming by banning most third party charges on your phone bill. The legislation is HB5211
