Reviewing your phone bill may not sound like a way to stop wealth transfer (money transferred unknowingly and unnecessarily out of income) but $2 or $3 dollars or more each month can add up to an interesting amount each year.

Most of us really never review our phone bill and doing so may seem like a lot of bother, but doing so may stop some insidious fees.  Unauthorized or deceptive charges on a phone bill are known as “cramming”, they show up quite often, they continue to show up until you stop them and phone companies care less.  These charges are initiated by third parties and may be for almost anything.  According to the Senate Commerce Committee last year, phone companies collect more than $2 billion worth of third party charges each year, most or not authorized and the problem is growing.

Cramming charges are normally relatively small perhaps no more than $2 or $3 a month and most often listed as service fee or voicemail.   Most of these charges are not for legitimate services but customers are enrolled from available information such as your phone number.  And yes, your phone company collects a fee for allowing these extra charges.

Cell phone customers have become a favorite for this problem with charges usually appearing as a fee for downloads or text services.

Scrutinizing your bill for odd little charges with names you have never heard of or don’t understand could save you several percentage point on you bill each month.  If you see or think a charge is unauthorized call your phone company and ask for the reason for the charge.  If it doesn’t make sense ask for it to be removed just like you would for a false charge on your credit card.

Want to file a complaint, call the Federal Communications Commission at 888 225 5322 or go to www.fcc.gov/complaints.