AT&T will pay $105 million for illegally charging its customers, which cost consumers tens of millions of euros.
$80 million will be given in compensation to those who were defrauded, $20 million will be given in penalties, and $5 million to the Federal Communications Commission. The FTC has set up a website where consumers can request refunds until May 1, 2015.
“AT&T customers who were charged without their authorization after January 1, 2009, can request a refund,” the website says. The request can be made by filling out an online form or by mail. Customers were charged without their authorization for ringtones, wallpapers, horoscopes, dating advice and celebrity gossip. The company managed to make a profit of 35 to 40 percent on charges that usually ranged from $9.99 a month.
In 2012, the company earned $108 million from customer subscriptions, and in 2013, $161 million. Many of those subscriptions were made without the customers’ consent.” “AT&T’s practices cost consumers tens of millions of dollars,” the lawsuit states.
The refund request can be made here.
