A reader called to alert other consumers to a problem charge that showed up on her telephone bill resulting from a practice apparently common enough to get its own name — "cramming."

The Federal Communications Commission defines "cramming" as the practice of placing unauthorized, misleading, or deceptive charges on your telephone bill.

Officials said crammers rely on confusing telephone bills in an attempt to trick consumers into paying for services they did not authorize or receive, or that cost more than the consumer was led to believe.

For example, sometimes people who enter contests don't read the fine print and sign themselves up for unwanted services.

Our caller was real estate agent Marilyn Bornhorst, a former City Councilwoman who's usually pretty savvy about scams and wanted to warn others of the risk.

Bornhorst found she had been billed for $19.95 for two months to a company that apparently promised unlimited long distance from a Miami-based business. She complained to Hawaiian Telcom — the state's largest communications company — and got a list of phone numbers and information to help track it down.

When she called Florida, the company representative said her billing information was accurate but the person who authorized the charge had a different name from her.

Bornhorst was persistent and threatened to call the FCC if the company did not remove the charges. She has been assured by both companies that the charges were removed but wanted to caution others.

How does cramming work?

Local telephone companies often bill their customers for long distance and other services that other companies provide.

If a local telephone company, long distance telephone company, or another type of service provider either accidentally or intentionally places unauthorized, misleading, or deceptive charges on your bill, you may have been a victim.

Hawaiian Telcom spokeswoman Ann Nishida said some cases come up "from time to time but I wouldn't characterize it as frequent here or nationwide."

Nishida urges customers to take a minute each month to scan their telephone bills.

"We recommend that customers review their bills carefully each month just as they would any credit card or bank statements," she said. If there are unfamiliar charges, call the company that charged you and ask for an explanation.

Hawaiian Telcom also offers "Bill Block," a free service that blocks third-party providers from adding charges to your Hawaiian Telcom bill but does not prevent the user from making long-distance calls.

She also recommends that customers keep a record of their telephone services and what they have authorized, and carefully read all promotional materials and forms before signing up for services to be billed on your telephone bill.

The FCC offers tips on what services may show up. Look for terms such as "service fee," "service charge," "other fees," "voicemail," "mail server," "calling plan," "psychic," and "membership."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.