| There are situations in which sometimes we get | | | | prevent formal collections filed by the phone |
| in, that we feel rather helpless or without knowing | | | | carrier, not to mention that might delay reporting |
| exactly what to do or where to go for help. | | | | to any credit bureaus against the phone user. |
| Having a personal cell phone (telefone celular) lost | | | | 4 - When requesting an investigation, let your |
| or stolen may be one of these situations. In cases | | | | phone carrier know that you will be filling a |
| like these the following tips may be of some at | | | | complaint with the Federal Communication |
| least to minimize the potential problems you may | | | | Commission (FCC), your state attorney general`s |
| run into. | | | | office, and your state`s public utility commission |
| 1 - You should take care of your cell phone | | | | (PUC). After taking these steps, the phone |
| (telefone celular) as if it were your personal wallet. | | | | carriers will most likely pay closer attention to |
| The best way to avoid being liable with fraudulent | | | | you, once they become aware that you are an |
| charges is to do whatever you can within your | | | | informed consumer. According to a 2006 AARP |
| means to avoid unauthorized calls in the first place. | | | | ROPER cell phone survey, half of all cell phone |
| Check the user guide that comes with your | | | | users between the age of 18 and over, report |
| phone set and start using the lock or password | | | | not knowing who to call to in the event their cell |
| feature to potentially prevent a theft from | | | | phone carrier is unable to resolve a billing/service |
| making unauthorized phone calls. There are ways | | | | problem to the user satisfaction. Beware that FCC |
| to get around passwords, but you will probably be | | | | is going to forward your complaint to your phone |
| buying yourself some time until you realize the | | | | service provider, requiring a return from them |
| loss of your cell phone and call your service phone | | | | within a month. |
| provider. | | | | 5 - Contact your attorney general`s office. |
| 2 - Call your cell phone (telefone celular) service | | | | According to their website, state attorney general |
| provider as soon as you discover the loss. Report | | | | offices handles complaints about cell phone frauds |
| your missing/stolen device and be sure to keep | | | | and contract disputes. This office has lawsuits |
| records of the date and time you called your | | | | against phone companies based on phone user |
| phone carrier, the name of the person to whom | | | | complaints, resulting sometimes in refunds to |
| you spoke to, and what you have been informed. | | | | consumers and new agreements made by cell |
| Also take note of the state and the region of | | | | phone (telefone celular) service providers on |
| their call center, plus their telephone extension | | | | behalf of their cell phone users. Also contact your |
| number. Finally ask for confirmation in writing that | | | | state`s PUC. Each state has a government |
| your device has been disabled. Some companies | | | | agency, usually called utility commission, which |
| can even email this to you. | | | | handles consumer problems with telephone |
| 3 - File a police report. It may not be much of a | | | | companies. |
| help in getting your cell phone (telefone celular) | | | | A missing or stolen cell phone (telefone celular) |
| back, but it should provide an official record of the | | | | may become a big problem if the user does not |
| missing/stolen cell phone. Keep the police report | | | | take immediate actions. Filing a formal missing |
| number available while reporting the loss to the | | | | stolen report together the with cell phone service |
| phone carrier. Also you may open an investigation | | | | carrier and government agencies are the |
| with your carrier if necessary. If you are not | | | | necessary steps one should take to make sure |
| getting an immediate response by working directly | | | | he will not have any more losses. Get to know |
| with your cell phone (telefone celular) company, | | | | your rights as a consumer and make sure the |
| do not waste any more time. Contact your phone | | | | any loss you are going to have, in the event of a |
| carrier and request an immediate investigation. | | | | missing/stolen cell phone (telefone celular), will be |
| Usually a formal request for an investigation will | | | | the cell phone itself. |