I called AT&T customer service tonight and after an agonizing wait, they tried to pass the buck for the slamming, attempting to blame my local telephone provider (SBC) for the switch in my long distance service from Sprint to AT&T. Get real! Come on AT&T: why would SBC engage in the illegal practice of slamming by switching my long distance service to AT&T, a big competitor of theirs? Assuming SBC was foolish enough to try to slam me, wouldn't it make a little more sense for them to reap the fruits of the practice by switching my long distance service to themself (e.g. Sprint to SBC)? I doubt they would deliberately break the law to help AT&T.

AT&T also tried to insinuate that the switching of my long distance service might be part and parcel of my signing up for Worldnet internet access. I think not. Maybe they should read their own fine print (from their FAQ page):

"What other AT&T Worldnet Service charges, if any, might I incur? This price does not include any amount that may be charged by you telephone service provider to connect to AT&T Worldnet Service through an available access number and any applicable taxes. Your telephone service provider may charge you for calling the AT&T Worldnet Service access numbers. Please check with your telephone service provider to determine which access numbers may be dialed without charge prior to selecting a telephone number to access AT&T Worldnet Service."


Unless I am misreading that legalese (and I am a lawyer, mind you), the fine print clearly contemplates (and even warns you of the consequences of) continuing your non-AT&T local service. Nice try, AT&T.

[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]