Phone bills puzzling, should be intelligible

Trying to cut costs by eliminating unnecessary phone services can be a difficult task, particularly when even deciphering a telephone bill proves impossible.

Currently, the FCC is considering a requirement that would force phone companies to separate recurring charges from new or adjusted services.

However, on top of this, phone companies ought to provide details on what company or organization charges each fee.

Avoidable fees, most often from psychic hot-line, dating services, or club memberships, are charged by third parties, and are many times forgotten by the time the bill arrives.

By providing details on the source of each abnormal charge, consumers could also avoid unwanted or unused phone services, such as caller ID or voice mail.

Another way phone companies could improve service is through call differentiation, perfect for a phone line shared by several roommates. This service would have the user enter an identification number, then list the person's name next to the number on the bill.