WashingtonCo2022

American Broadband

Protect Yourself

THEFT OF SERVICE An individual commits theft of service if he/ she uses another person’s telephone number or telephone calling card to charge calls without permission, or by any other means of deception, fraud or falsification to avoid payment of telephone services. The penalty is a maximum of six months’ imprisonment or a fine of $1000, or both. “900” NUMBERS Some companies offer a variety of informational services using phone numbers beginning with “900.” There is a charge for calls to these numbers. The content and pricing for these calls are established by the company providing the service. If you have a complaint or dispute about “900” billing, you have 60 days to dispute the charges. Services that contain illegal or sexually explicit material are not allowed. Your telephone service cannot be disconnected for disputing pay-per- call service, but future access to “900” numbers can be involuntarily blocked for failure to pay legitimate charges. For more information, or to arrange “900” blocking, call 402-426-6200.

ANNOYANCE CALLS A person violates Nebraska law if he/she uses a telephone with the intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend any person. The use of indecent, lewd or obscene language, or the making of a threat or lewd suggestion is a violation of the law. The maximum penalty is a fine of $500 or three months’ imprisonment, or both. If you receive obscene, harassing or threatening calls, you should: • Hang up at the first obscene word, or if the caller doesn’t say anything. • Give no information (i.e. your name and address) until the caller is identified. • Advise your children not to give information to strangers. If you are not home have them say “Mother/Father can’t come to the phone now.” • If calls persist, call the police, sheriff or American Broadband’s Customer Care Center. Customer Originated Trace is available for a monthly fee.

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CONNECTING RURAL AMERICA