Attorney General Josh Stein Reaches $10.25 Million Settlement Over Deceptive Advertising
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today reached a $10.25 million multistate settlement with wireless carriers AT&T Mobility LLC, Cricket Wireless LLC, T-Mobile USA Inc., Cellco Partnership, d/b/a Verizon Wireless, and TracFone Wireless Inc., to resolve his investigation into the carriers’ deceptive and misleading advertising practices. North Carolina will receive $220,313.32 from the settlement.
“People deserve to know what they’re paying for instead of being surprised after they’ve spent their money,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “I’m pleased that this settlement will require wireless providers to be honest and transparent about terms and prices in their ads and other marketing.”
The attorneys general of all 50 states and the District of Columbia launched an investigation in 2016 over concerns that these wireless carriers were misleading people in ads, including by advertising “unlimited” data, free phone offers, incentives for switching wireless networks, and wireless carrier plan comparisons – all without disclosing limits, conditions, and other details.
As part of the settlement, these wireless carriers are required to be truthful and accurate in all future advertisements, including disclosing limitations to any marketing offers and promotions. They will also appoint a dedicated employee to work with the attorneys general to address consumer complaints and train customer service representatives so that they are being truthful and accurate when speaking with customers.
Copies of the settlement agreements are available here.
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