CONSUMER BULLETIN No. 02-2 Maine Public Utilities Commission Consumer Assistance Division

 

242 State Street, 18 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333-0018

Contact:  Derek Davidson (207) 287-1596 or derek.d.davidson@maine.gov

 

 

What the Public Should Know About
Verizon's Use of Customer Information
March 20, 2002

 

Verizon recently ran an article in its monthly newsletter "Extra" offering customers the opportunity to restrict the sharing of their Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) with other Verizon affiliates.  This information includes, among other things, the telecommunications services to which a customer subscribes, customer calling patterns (including the destination of calls), and customer billing history.

 

If customers wish to restrict the sharing of CPNI information among Verizon affiliates, they must contact Verizon at (866) 483-3885 and request that this information not be shared.  The restriction will remain in effect until the customer removes it.  Unless you affirmatively request that Verizon restrict its use of CPNI, Verizon is free to share the information with affiliates that offer services different from the service that the customer currently receives from Verizon.  For instance, Verizon could share CPNI for a customer receiving local service from Verizon with a Verizon affiliate that provides Internet or long distance service.  If a customer calls the number listed above and restricts Verizon's use of his or her CPNI, Verizon would not be able to share information with affiliates that provide services different from those the customer already receives.  Regardless of the choice that customers make, Verizon cannot share CPNI with non-affiliated companies.

 

Some customers may wish to allow Verizon to share their CPNI so they may receive information from Verizon affiliates regarding other available services and products.  These customers do not need to take any action.

 

Customers who have questions regarding CPNI or telephone service in general can contact the PUC’s Consumer Assistance Hotline by phone (800/452-4699 or TTY Relay 800/437-1220), e-mail maine.puc@maine.gov, facsimile (207/287-1039), or visit the Maine PUC Website at www.state.me.us/mpuc. 

 

Other Consumer Bulletins, Brochures and Fact Sheets, may be found on our website at http://www.state.me.us/mpuc/CAD/cfs-b&b.htm.

 

 

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