Company Settles ‘Slamming’ Case

Wed., Jan. 13, 1999

A California-based long distance company has agreed to issue refunds to Idaho residents to quiet consumer fraud allegations made by state investigators.

Business Discount Plan Inc. also agreed to pay for the state’s cost of settling allegations that employees misrepresented the company while selling long distance service.

Idaho Attorney General Al Lance said the company’s telephone solicitors claimed to work for the customer’s current long distance provider or another nationally known company. Telemarketers then switched the customer’s long distance company without their consent - a practice known as “slamming,” Lance said.

As part of the settlement, Business Discount Plan did not admit to any wrongdoing, but has agreed to review its procedures.

Anyone who believes they may have been slammed by Business Discount Plan and deserve a refund should call the attorney general’s office Consumer Protection Unit at (800) 432-3545. Claims must be made by April 2.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Company Settles ‘Slamming’ Case

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

75-year-old woman dies in head-on crash with semitruck in North Idaho

43-year-old man North Idaho man who died in ATV crash Saturday identified

Idaho will soon turn to firing squad executions. Police will pull the triggers