Avoid getting 'crammed' for unwanted cell phone charges, BBB warns

If you've noticed unusual charges on your cell phone bill lately, you're not alone. Fees that have nothing to do with your calling plan are making their way onto your bill, the BBB warns.

Known as "cramming," the charges are tacked on by third-party entities such as subscription services that a consumer may have knowingly or unknowingly signed up for. These services could be "free" ringtones, daily jokes, horoscopes or even applications. Consumers may not have realized they would later be billed monthly for these services, even though they were marketed as "free." The charges could also come from entertainment services with 900 area code numbers, access to restricted web sites or club memberships.