Key Points:
- AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon collectively fined $10.22 million for deceiving consumers about unlimited data plans and free phone offers.
- Carriers misled customers with false promises, violating consumer protection laws.
- The settlement requires carriers to accurately advertise their plans as “unlimited” and transparently disclose any speed restrictions.
In a continued crackdown on deceptive practices, major US carriers find themselves facing hefty fines yet again. This time, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have been slapped with a combined penalty of $10.22 million for misleading consumers regarding their unlimited data plans and free phone promotions.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action after discovering that the trio of carriers had been duping customers with false promises. They advertised ‘unlimited’ data plans and complimentary phones, only for consumers to discover these claims were far from reality.
The settlement mandates a significant shift in advertising practices. Carriers must now accurately represent their plans as “unlimited” only if they genuinely offer unrestricted data usage throughout the month. Additionally, any advertisements must conspicuously disclose any speed limitations and their activation conditions.
This ruling sends a clear message: even industry giants are not above the law. Companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are accountable for their actions and cannot deceive consumers into paying for services they won’t receive. As part of the settlement, all three carriers are required to appoint dedicated representatives to address customer complaints, ensuring transparency and accountability moving forward.
