Criminal elements, meanwhile, were starting to become a serious problem. They were discovering creative ways to exploit MCI's clumsy and inefficient accounting systems with “bust-out” scams. Sales had begun signing up companies who resold MCI's minutes on calling cards in inner-city neighborhoods at rates far below their invoiced costs. The resellers would unload as many of these calling cards as they could for cash. By the time MCI got around to asking for its money, many of these customers were into it for millions of dollars. Then, instead of trying to negotiate down their bills, the
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