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Bills Going Up For AT&T Landline Customers

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Not only are you paying more for Chicago parking payboxes and state income taxes, but now, your phone bill is also going up if you have an AT&T landline in your home.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports, the phone bill increase comes with the turn of the new year.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports

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The Citizens Utility Board says AT&T is raising the line charge, the basic monthly fee that customers pay for home phone service. Depending on where you live, the charge has gone up anywhere from 27 to 63 percent.

CUB's Jim Chilsen says there are alternatives.

"There's no reason you should overpay for such a vital service," Chilsen said. "There are ways to avoid becoming the phone industry's ATM machine."
 
CUB says under its Consumer Choice porgram, it assesses consumers' phone needs and comes up with cheaper alternatives. It says since 2006, it's been saving phone customers an average of $200 a year.

For more on the Citizens Utility Board, click here.

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