US Communications Commission Slaps Telecom With $9Mln Fine

The US Federal Communications Commission plans to fine GSPS, Inc., an Atlanta, GA telephone company more than $9 million for exploiting customers and deceiving regulators.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to fine a US telephone company more than $9 million for exploiting customers and deceiving regulators, according to an FCC statement issued on Friday.

“The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine GSPS, Inc., an Atlanta, GA telephone company, $9,065,000 for allegedly switching consumers’ long distance telephone services without their authorization… billing customers for unauthorized charges… and submitting falsified evidence to government regulatory officials as 'proof' that consumers had authorized the company to switch their long distance providers,” the statement said.

The FCC received over 150 complaints in relation to GSPS’s practices, which allegedly charged consumers unauthorized fees and falsely claimed to have received authorization to switch their long-distance providers.

The FCC regulates interstate and international communications across the United States, according to the agency’s mission statement.