Whether it's a new regulatory fee or some universal service charge, phone companies seem to be coming up with all sorts of creative, new ways to make phone bills even bigger.

But you might have a tough time believing their latest tactic.

Some companies have begun charging you for not making enough long-distance calls.

For some Verizon customers, even making no calls at all now comes with a cost.

"I don't mind paying a fee for my long-distance calls if I made any," said Verizon customer Laura Leeflang. "I gladly pay my bill, but I do mind paying a fee just because I'm being penalized because I didn't make any long-distance calls during the month."

Leeflang said she recently noticed something unusual on her bill, which was a $2 shortfall charge.

Earlier this year, Verizon began applying the fee to certain customers who do not make $2 worth of long-distance calls.

Verizon spokesman Lee Gierczynski said Verizon is among the last, major long-distance carriers to start charging the fee, which applies to customers without a regular plan.

He calls the charge a byproduct of intense competition from cell phone and Internet companies, which offer free long-distance.

"The charge that we have is almost like an investment charge for the network that we're building," said Gierczynski. "And the minimum spend charge helps to spread that charge out so that the long-distance network can remain affordable and viable in the face of growing competition."

The shortfall charge is allowable under the law because it's considered a minimum service fee, not an extra charge.

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