Learn to cut costs at phone bill clinic

Phone service customers looking to cut costs can go, monthly bill in hand, to Gurnee Mills Saturday for a free "phone bill clinic."

The symposium, hosted by the Citizens Utility Board, will show customers how to save hundreds of dollars a year, said CUB Executive Director David Kolata.

The clinic is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Show Court, near J.C. Penney and entrance G.

"You usually go to malls to spend money, but CUB's clinic can give you simple tips you need to save," Kolata said. "Most people shouldn't be paying more than $25 to $30 a month for phone service."

CUB spokesman Jim Chilsen said the free clinics held throughout the state have been wildly popular.

"People are hungry for good information in the telephone market and do not get it from their phone companies," he said. "We give them the info they need to cut their expenses."

It is part of CUB's mission statement to fight for customers' rights, he said.

Some of the advice will include:

• Use cell phones as money-saving tools on long distance calls.

• AT&T offers the CUB-designed Consumer's Choice local calling plan.

• Eliminate paying the fee for "line backer," which is considered an unnecessary service.