[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           OUTFOX PHONE FRAUD

                                 ______


                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 1996

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, recently we passed groundbreaking 
legislation that will unshackle companies and inject competition into 
the telecommunications industry. This competition will bring about more 
consumer choice, better services, and lower prices. However, in 1996, 
this dynamic telecommunications industry is expected to suffer from 
fraud surpassing $3.7 billion.
  I would like to commend the Alliance to Outfox Phone Fraud, a group 
of companies who have come together to educate consumers and businesses 
about telecommunications fraud. Big businesses are victims of phone 
fraud too. A recent survey of 90 businesses who were victims of toll 
fraud found losses ranged from a few thousand dollars to $4 million.
  Those who commit fraud don't just steal from a big telecommunications 
company, they also steal from you and me. We, as consumers, are forced 
to pay higher prices in order to make up the loss these 
telecommunications companies incur, when they are defrauded. If we all 
follow the alliances' commonsense tips, we will do our part to help 
outfox fraud and bring down consumer prices.

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