Gold Star Telecom - Consumer Information & Resources

Choosing Cable Channels NEW	(PDF format)
Deregulation and Cable NEW	(PDF format)
Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA) of 1999
Consumer-Owned Satellite Dishes and Other Antennas
How To Prevent Viewing of Objectionable Television Programs
Record Retention & Subscriber Privacy
Cable Signal Leakage
Subscriber Signal Quality Standards
Cable TV Rates NEW	(PDF format

Internet

The FCC does not regulate the Internet or Internet Service Providers (ISP). You may contact your state consumer protection office or if there is possible fraud involved, you may contact the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice's Internet Fraud Complaint Center.

High Speed Internet Access - Broadband NEW	(PDF format)
IP Relay Service	(PDF format)
Internet Modem Switch Scam	(PDF format)
Unauthorized Equipment Sold on the Internet	(PDF format)
Children's Internet Protection Act
Voice Over Internet (VoIP) NEW	(PDF format)
CAN-SPAM Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 NEW	(PDF format)
Wireless Broadband NEW	(PDF format)

Miscellaneous

Recording Telephone Conversations NEW (PDF format)

Accidental 9-1-1 Calls From Wireless Phones Pose Risk to Public Safety NEW (PDF format)

When Your Wireline Telephone Company Files for Bankruptcy (PDF format)

What Your Telephone Company Knows About You (And Controlling How They Use It) (PDF format)

Interference to Telephones

Information About Your Carrier

What is slamming and what can I do about it?
Slamming is the term used to describe the changing of your local or long distance carrier to another company without your knowledge or permission. If you believe you have been slammed, you may file a complaint with the FCC or your state Public Utilities Commission, depending on the state in which you live.

Telephone

Call Splashing (PDF format)

Charges On Your Phone Bill (PDF format)

New "Single Bill" Fees on Phone Bills (PDF format)

Understanding Your Telephone Bill

Cramming: Unauthorized, Misleading, or Deceptive Telephone Bill Charges (PDF format)

Hang Up On High Public/Pay Phone Rates

Your New Relationship With Your Phone Company - "Detariffing" (PDF format)

Five Things Consumers Should Know about Detariffing (PDF format)

900 Number Pay-Per-Call and Other Information Services (PDF format)

What is a Toll Free Number and How Does It Work?

Pre-Paid Phone Cards: What Consumers Should Know

Calls Made From Payphones (PDF format)

Calling 911 From Your Wireless Phone NEW (PDF format)

2-1-1 Directs Consumers to Essential Community Services NEW (PDF format)

Inmate Telephone Service (PDF format)

Caller ID

Voice Over Internet (VoIP) NEW (PDF format)

Cell Phones

Understanding Cell Phone Coverage Areas NEW (PDF format)

Wireless Local Number Portability NEW (PDF format)

Wireless Phones at Gas Stations NEW (PDF format)

Wireless 911 Services

Surcharges for International Calls to Wireless Phones NEW (PDF format)

Cell Phone Fraud (PDF format)

Mobile Phones and Health Concerns (PDF format)

Human Exposure to Radiofrequency (RF) Fields from Mobile Vehicle Mounted Antennas

What You Should Know About Wireless Phone Service NEW

Use of TTY Devices with Digital Wireless Phones NEW (PDF format)

Human Exposure To Radio Frequency Fields: Guidelines For Cellular And PCS Sites

Telephone Scams

Voice Mail Fraud - Beware NEW (PDF format)

Careless Dialing Can Cost You Money (Fat Finger Dialing) (PDF format)

809 Phone Scam - Beware - ALERT (PDF format)

Don't Fall for the 90# Telephone Scam (PDF format)

Predictive Dialing: Silence on the Other End of the Line (PDF format)

Mexico Collect Call Scam (PDF format)

Slamming - When Your Phone Service is Switched Without Your Permission

Unwanted Faxes: What You Can Do (PDF format)

Unwanted Telephone Marketing Calls (PDF format)

FCC Establishes National Do-Not-Call Registry NEW (PDF format)

Beware of Telemarketing Scam NEW (PDF format)

Visit the FCC Parents Place!
Images of parents and children using phones, TVs, and computers.

If you have any other consumer information websites that you think would be appropriate please email us the link. Thanks!