Ok, this will not be a popular opinion *at all* but I've got to say it as someone who used to explain phone bills to customers years ago. I never thought I'd be defending corporations, but this is pretty much bullshit. Yes, phone companies are shady. I despise them...however, it is not the company's fault that somebody went online and agreed to unsolicited charges, especially since most customers will go months before contacting the phone company about the problem. The phone company is not getting any money from these scam websites that add horoscope charges to the bill nor is it their responsibility to hold a customer's hand so they don't make the mistake of clicking 'agree' when they shouldn't. The charges are not 'buried' on Verizon bills. I've seen many of these so-called buried charges and the fact is they may recur monthly for six months before the customer happens to notice them, but they were always in plain sight.
Do I care if the phone companies pay fines? Not at all. I hope they all fold for that matter, but customers need to accept a little personal accountability as well or they really will get ripped off. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the majority of customers I spoke to could barely read or didn't take the time to try to understand the bill before they called up a company to scream their bills. They were almost always wrong. So, do I believe them that they didn't agree to the horoscope charges? No, because they're lazy or they don't understand what they read even when it's laid out in basic English. True cramming is when sales people actually lie about the prices of the service they're selling, which is something I saw at CenturyLink. Verizon reps are required to read disclosures that the majority of customers don't want to hear. Customers will hang up when when reps are reading them the disclosures. Still, the bills are so detailed it's hard to misunderstand. Consumers need to own their mistakes and pay attention. I hate Verizon but there is also a situation where corporations are targeted for these kinds of lawsuits.
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Originally Posted by Kobi
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — If you had wireless service with Verizon or Sprint any time in the past five years, there could be a refund check with your name on it because those companies engaged in what’s known as ‘cramming.’ That’s the practice of burying charges on your bill for services you didn’t authorize, didn’t want, and didn’t need.
“Talking about charges for horoscopes, celebrity gossip, sports tips, wallpaper for your phone, and special ring tones,” said Federal Communications Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel at at State Capitol News Conference.
In an agreement with the federal government, Verizon has agreed to refund a total of $90 million to customers because of the practice that could have added $10 to $15 to your monthly bills.
Sprint has agreed to refund a total of $68 million, but in both cases you only have days left to file for one. “Consumers should demand refunds and they are due them as long as they do it by December 31,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
From now on, under the federal agreement, Verizon and Sprint must get permission from you before placing charges on your bill and must ensure that you are notified before the charges appear. Also under this agreement; they must provide information to you on how third party charges can be blocked on from your account.
To get the cash you must sign up by December 31st. file online.
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