Tag Archives: Cell Phones

U.S. investigating AT&T and Verizon over wireless collusion claim

by Cecilia Kang, New York Times

locked cell phone

The investigation was opened about five months ago after at least one device maker and one wireless carrier filed formal complaints with the Justice Department, two of the people said. The device maker was Apple, one of them said. Read More ›

T-Mobile, AT&T Customers Can Now Request Their $170M In Refunds From Cramming Settlements

by Kate Cox, Consumerist

“Cramming is modern day pickpocketing,” [FCC commissioner Jessica] Rosenworcel said in a statement. “These bogus charges on consumer bills are unfair – and they can add up fast. That’s why these settlements are so important. They give consumers the right to block these fees going forward and get their money back for payments they made in the past.” … Sprint is also facing a lawsuit from a federal agency (the CFPB, this time) over bill-cramming. Read More ›

Wireless carriers are victims of phone cramming too, they just make billions of dollars instead of losing it

by Ashlee Kieler, Consumerist

A new report and hearing on the subject by the Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation revealed that third-party billing on wireless phone bills has evolved into a billion-dollar industry for carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile. Most wireless carriers were aware of the growing cramming problem at least six years ago, but continued to retain lax oversight and self-regulation policies leaving ample opportunity for scammers to strike. Just this week, the FTC announced a series of recommendations that could slow, or even cease, the practices of cramming and direct carrier billing. Read More ›

Proposed Federal Laws & Regulation That Could Help Consumers In 2014

by Kate Cox, Consumerist

Here are four key areas — mostly proposed laws and one policy — to keep an eye on throughout the new year. If you want to see any of these federal bills become law, make sure you let your representatives and senators know. Read More ›