Heafty Fines Imposed on Toll Free Hoarders

What happens if regulators discover illegal hoarding or sales of toll free numbers. If the FCC discovers illegal hoarding, they immediately send out disconnect and suspend letters to the owner of the numbers. Additionally, the brokering of toll free numbers can result in hefty fines. Remember, last year, an astounding daily fine of $11,000 was reportedly imposed on a California company accused of improperly using toll free numbers.

Heafty Fines For Toll Free Hoarders

What happens if regulators discover illegal hoarding or sales of toll free numbers. If the FCC discovers illegal hoarding, they immediately send out disconnect and suspend letters to the owner of the numbers. Additionally, the brokering of toll free numbers can result in hefty fines. Remember, last year, an astounding daily fine of $11,000 was reportedly imposed on a California company accused of improperly using toll free numbers.

Incidents of Number Hoarding on the Rise

Continuing to cause alarm in our industry are reports of increased incidents of illegal hoarding of toll free numbers. The FCC has been clamping down on violations of Section 251 (e) of the Communications Act of 1934, which prohibits the warehousing and hoarding of numbers. The FCC is taking a close look at all suspect activity. This is an ongoing issue. It is imperative that subscribers are educated on the proper way to obtain and use toll free phone numbers.

Toll Free Taboo: Number Hoarding

Under rules established in 1997 by the Federal Communications Commission, toll-free service providers cannot reserve a toll-free number without having an actual toll-free subscriber for whom the number is being reserved. By law, available numbers must be doled out on a first-come, first served basis off the main database maintained by the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800).

Read more here.

Hoarding Toll Free Numbers

The FCC began investigating hoarding of 800 numbers as far back as 1995, but despite the subsequent release of 888, 877, and 866 pre-fixes, the practice continues to grow along with the skyrocketing popularity of toll free service. Hoarding by individual subscribers is lillegal. A subscriber may not acquire more toll-free numbers than they intend to use. By FCC definition, “hoarding” also includes “brokering” toll-free numbers for a fee.

Online Traps: Toll Free Phone Number Hoarding

If the FCC discovers illegal hoarding, they immediately send out disconnect and suspend letters to the owner of the numbers. Additionally, the brokering of toll free numbers can result in hefty fines.

Read more here.

FCC Must Keep The Public Informed

In recent years, the limited availability of new toll free numbers has created an intense and competitive demand for valuable 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers. Following the emergence of a black market for these numbers, sources say federal authorities are cracking down on illegal toll free practices, including reports of attempts to sell or lease numbers off eBay. Let’s hope so.
With depleted supplies leading to a growth of illegal hoarding and leasing practices, experts say it is imperative that subscribers be informed on the proper acquisition and use of toll free numbers. Its incumbent upon the FCC and telecommunications companies to educate subscribers.

Black Market Toll frees?

You’ve heard of human organs on the black market; but, toll frees? The FCC has the 855 pre-fix reserved to alleviate the shortage but has not yet announced plans to release those numbers.Read this full story here.

Instant Access to Toll Frees

Advisors say the best way to obtain a toll free number before the supply runs out is to use a reliable toll free service provider that has access to the database of available numbers. For example, Verizon, or Qwest will assist subscribers in finding a quality toll free number at a very low cost. Find out more information here.

Two-Fold Crackdown of Illegal Distribution

Stories about people getting caught trying to illegally broker valuable toll free phone numbers are rampant and not only is the FCC and other agencies paying close attention, so are we. There are strict guidelines over the distribution and use of toll free phone numbers. But with supplies so limited, people are desperate for this remarkable marketing tool. And so others prey on the need. But if new toll free area codes were released, supplies would increase and these improper practices would diminish. The way to stop this is two-fold: increased FCC crackdown and the release of 855 numbers.