AARP says active living seniors might be paying more than they owe to telephone companies

Many active living seniors spend time talking on the phone to children and grandchildren in far off states or arranging social outings or volunteer activities. However, it seems that some phone companies have been taking advantage of senior citizens, and overcharging them for standard phone services.


The illegal process is called "cramming," according to the AAPR.

"Access to affordable telephone service is critical for older adults, many of whom live alone and may not have access to other forms of communication," Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois senior state director, said in a statement. "That is why it is also critical that older adults, and all consumers, be protected against illegal practices that result in wrongfully inflated phone bills."


To combat the practice, many states require that extra charges such as caller ID and three-way calling are verified by an independent third party before they are added to telephone bills.


AllBusiness.com reports that just over half of all seniors in the U.S. have cellular phones. That means that the rest of seniors most likely rely on their landline for communication and should be vigilant about reviewing their phone bill each month.



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