The FCC's Truth-in-Billing [1] rules require telephone companies to provide clear, non-misleading, plain language in describing services for which customers are being billed. The company sending the bill must identify the service provider associated with each charge. If a bill contains charges in addition to basic local service, it must distinguish between charges for which non-payment will result in disconnection of basic local service, and charges for which non-payment will not result in disconnection. Telephone companies must also display, on each bill, one or more toll-free numbers that you can call to ask about or dispute any charge on the bill.
For more information about charges on your phone bill, see our guide "Understanding Your Telephone Bill" [2].