If a company starts billing you for services like caller ID without your permission, what is this practice called?

The practice of billing a customer for services they did not authorize, such as caller ID, is known as cramming. This term specifically refers to the unauthorized addition of charges to a consumer's bill, often for services that were not requested or agreed upon. Cramming is considered a deceptive business practice, as it takes advantage of a customer’s trust and can lead to financial losses.

In this context, understanding consumer protections against cramming is important. Regulatory agencies and legislation often exist to combat these unfair billing practices, ensuring that customers have control over their charges and that they are only billed for services they have explicitly requested.

Other options like phishing refer to attempts to obtain sensitive information through deceitful means, while scamming generally refers to any fraudulent scheme designed to con individuals out of their money. Shielding does not align with the context of unauthorized billing practices. Thus, cramming is the most accurate descriptor of the scenario presented.