AT&T settles class-action over unauthorized cellular charges
June 14, 2008
Well, looks like my complaint back in Jan was right on the mark.
AT&T settles class-action over unauthorized cellular charges
By Jacqui Cheng | Published: June 03, 2008 - 12:57PM CT
What do you mean you didn’t mean to buy Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” to use as a ringtone on your phone? It’s on your bill! If you’ve ever seen a mysterious charge pop up on your AT&T cell phone bill, take note: AT&T has received preliminary approval to settle a class-action lawsuit over unauthorized charges for ringtones and other third-party mobile content. All US residents who have been charged for such content between January 1, 2004 and May 30, 2008 are now eligible for refunds, even if they are no longer account holders with AT&T.
The complaint was originally filed against AT&T late last year by Tracie McFerren, Morris Fiddler, and Kristen Hensley. The plaintiffs took issue with AT&T’s (and most mobile carriers’) “partnerships” with third-parties that allow the companies to automatically charge things like ringtones, games, and wallpapers, and daily joke text messages to the customer’s account. Unlike credit card purchases, which still require authorization from the user in some way, these mobile purchases only need to be associated with a cell phone number and be billed directly through the customer’s AT&T bill. AT&T gets a cut of the mobile sales by allowing these companies to bill directly through it, similar to the cramming done on landlines by third parties.
Texting Scam - Thanks At&t, Verisign
January 27, 2008
I’m not sure how this happens but for the past three months I’ve been billed by my wireless provider, AT&T, for “m-Qube” internet services (Ringtones?) for $9.99 plus tax. I called AT&T each time and asked what this was and why I was being charged for something I never ordered; they could not give me an answer. Each time the customer service representative seemed to work through a process of removing me from this fraudulent service. They even initiated a stop purchase service where each line on the account is prevented from downloading any type of content without first entering a special PIN number. Well, guess what? None of it worked. After explaining all this to the latest customer service rep tonight at AT&T, I opted to change the telephone number.
I strongly suggest that you review your next wireless bill and look for any reference to m-Qube. Regardless of whom your cell provider is, m-Qube can and will attack and bill you. If you see m-Qube on your bill, treat it like a CANCER! Cancel your account if you have to, or at a minimum, change your number. Anything less will not work.
