A Verizon refund of $50 million to 15 million Verizon customers was announced Sunday. For years, customers had complained about getting charged for services they hadn’t ordered. Verizon, after first denying that errors had been made, admitted the grievances were justified. The Federal Communications Commission said that after a 10-month examination, Verizon’s lengthy delay in acknowledging the errors and refunding the money had yet to be addressed.
Refunding cash due to Verizon wireless phantom fees
The FCC exploration said that customers were being billed in two different ways which is why there is going to be a Verizon refund. The monthly fee of $1.99 for a data service that wasn’t ordered was what most were saying they were charged, accounts the Los Angeles Times. The fee came to numerous customers who simply were using an app demo that was free. Numerous would accidently hit the internet button on their phones leaving them left with fees for internet usage. If you get a refund, you’ll get to discover out soon. Verizon wireless is informing customers of the reimburse in October and November. Most people will get just a small reimburse. It will be between $2 and $4. If the person is nevertheless a consumer, it will just be a credit on the account. Checks will be sent to everyone that has left Verizon wireless.
Grievances to Verizon wireless answered due to the Federal Communications Commission
The Verizon refund story started in 2009 when the new York Times and other news organizations reported that customers had complained about the fees however were being ignored by Verizon. Verizon said that accidental use and free demos had nothing to do with billing the customers, accounts the Times. The FCC launched an examination in January. Recently Verizon and also the Federal Communications Commission are at odds over how long the business had been aware of the erroneous fees. Under pressure, Verizon submitted to a “consent decree,” in which the business makes a voluntary payment to settle the issue. Chief of the FCC enforcement Bureau Michele Ellison explained the first thing to be done is to get customers their money back. Making sure it doesn’t happen again is next.
Customers will feel more protected with bill-shock regulation
Wireless carriers are changing things due to the weak economy that are making people keep their cell phones longer. These include having higher cancellation penalties and higher monthly service fees. The FCC is intending to get an initiative passed. This would protect customers from surprise fees, reports the Washington Post. Increases in monthly charges would need to be sent in a text message to customers with the “bill-shock” regulation to protect them. The Wireless Association hopes that bill-shock won’t go through. In the FCC’s October meetings, it is sure to be discussed.
Info from
Los Angeles times
latimes.com/business/la-fi-1004-verizon-20101004,,2549947.story
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/10/04/technology/04webphone.html?_r=1 and ref=business
Washington Post
voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/10/verizon_wireless_amits_wrongly.html
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