UScellular’s Safe Connections Notice
I. The Importance of Connectivity
Domestic violence
affects millions every year. According to the National
Domestic Violence Hotline,
over one-third of women and one-fourth of men in the U.S. will face domestic violence at some point
in their lives. Survivors often struggle with shared mobile service contracts, which are frequently
controlled by their abusers. This makes it challenging for Survivors to establish their own
communication lines and devices. Affordability is another major hurdle for those looking to set up
independent communication services or exit family plans controlled by their abusers.
To address these issues, the Safe Connections Act of 2022 (SCA) was passed. This federal law helps
Survivors swiftly and safely separate from shared wireless service plans with their abusers.
II.
FCC’s Rules
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established rules to protect Survivors. UScellular
adheres to these rules, so that Survivors can:
- Independently
initiate the separation of their wireless services from shared accounts.
- Utilize
the Lifeline program for six months after separation.
III. Key Definitions
To better
understand this notice, here are some important terms:
- Covered
Act:
Crimes
such as domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, child
abuse, elder abuse, and similar crimes. A conviction is not necessary to qualify as a Covered
Act.
- Designated Representative:
A
person authorized to submit a Line Separation Request on behalf of a Survivor.
- Line Separation Request
(Request): The
process by which Survivors can request UScellular to separate their lines from accounts shared
with their abuser.
- Survivor:
An
individual aged 18 or older who has experienced a Covered Act or is responsible for someone who
has. This includes:
-
Individuals in the same household (even if they reside in different residences).
-
Parents or guardians of minors.
-
Caretakers recognized by a valid court order or power of attorney.
-
Those financially dependent on a parent, guardian, or caretaker.
UScellular also considers emancipated minors who have experienced a Covered Act to be Survivors.
IV. How to Submit a
Line Separation Request to UScellular
Follow these steps to submit a Line Separation Request with UScellular:
- Safe Connections Request Form:
Complete
the UScellular Safe Connections Request Form. This document collects all necessary information
to initiate your Request.
- Documentation
Affirming the Survivor’s Status:
Gather
documentation that affirms the Survivor’s status. Acceptable documents include signed affidavits
from licensed professionals (such as social workers or court employees), police reports,
protective orders, or other official records. This documentation does not need to be recent,
providing flexibility for Survivors who may have experienced abuse in the past.
- Submit the Request:
- Email: For
the fastest processing, send the completed Safe Connections Request Form along with
copies
of the documentation affirming the Survivor’s status to [email protected]
- Voicemail:
Alternatively,
leave a voicemail at (865) 777-8003. Provide your contact information in your message.
We
will contact you as directed in your message and assist you in submitting the necessary
information.
After you submit a Line Separation Request with UScellular, here's what you can expect:
-
A UScellular associate will contact you using your preferred method.
- They will verify your identity
and authenticate your Request.
-
Once verified, you'll be connected with another associate to start the line separation process.
-
During this stage, you'll select your service options and check your eligibility for the Lifeline
program.
V. Important Details
- Support Resources: If
you are experiencing abuse and need assistance, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline
by calling 800-799-7233, texting BEGIN to 88788, or visiting
thehotline.org
- Service Options:
When
opening a new UScellular account as part of a Request, you can choose a postpaid service, which
requires a standard credit check, or opt for a prepaid service, which does not require a credit
check.
- Financial Support: Survivors
may qualify for financial assistance through the Lifeline program. For more information, please
visit our Lifeline webpage
to learn about eligibility
requirements.
- Designated Representative: Survivors
can authorize a Designated Representative to handle or assist with their Line Separation
Request. We will cooperate with these representatives to ensure efficient processing.
- Penalties, Fees, or Other Limitations:
The
SCA prohibits covered providers like UScellular from making Line Separation Requests conditional
upon penalties, fees, or other limitations. However, outstanding installment payments and other
balances from any previous shared accounts may apply.
- Technical or Operational Limitations:
We
have identified two instances where a line separation may be technically or operationally
challenging:
-
When the Survivor is an emancipated minor, they may only be eligible for prepaid service.
This
is because company policy requires consumers to be at least 18 years old to apply for
postpaid
service. In many jurisdictions, minors cannot be held to a contractual agreement.
-
When neither the Survivor nor the abuser is the account owner, we can move the Survivor to
their
own account but may not be able to remove the abuser from the original account, especially
if
the abuser is a minor.
-
If UScellular later determines that any other type of line separation request is not
technically
or operationally feasible, we will promptly inform the Survivor or their Designated
Representative and offer any available alternatives.
- Abuser Notice Limitations: After
receiving a legitimate Line Separation Request, UScellular will promptly inform the Survivor of
the intended date to notify the primary account holder or the abuser (if the line separation
involves the abuser's line) about the service changes. However, please note that some visibility
into these changes may be beyond our control. For example, once the Separation Request is
processed, even if UScellular has not yet notified the primary account holder or abuser,
account changes may be visible to those individuals through UScellular’s online account
management tool, My Account.
- Confidentiality and Data Disposal:
UScellular
will treat all information and documentation related to the Line Separation Request with
confidentiality. This information will be used solely for processing the Request and managing
services related to the Survivor's account. It will not be used for marketing purposes or
disclosed beyond what is necessary for the line separation process. Additionally, we will
securely dispose of the Safe Connections Request Form and any related documentation within 90
days of receipt, unless a valid court order requires retention.