Going to Court

vs. Cell Hell

Have you been ripped off by a cell phone company? You're not alone. A 2007 study by the Better Business Bureau concluded that cell phone companies were the subject of more complaints than any other business – more than the number of complaints about used car dealers and collection agencies combined.

Complaints from cellular consumers regarding billing errors, poor service, and unfair termination charges rank among the most numerous of the thousands of complaints Consumer Watchdog receives through its web site. As cell phones have become ubiquitous, the abusive practices of the carriers have become legion. Because cell phones are not subject to regulation, Consumer Watchdog's Litigation Project has stepped into the fray to defend the public. Here's where you can read more about three major lawsuits we've brought against cell phone companies:

* AT&T mergers with Cingular, and AT&T customers get hit with upgrade fees and poor service. More >>

* AT&T/Cingular promises rebates for phone purchases – but instead of cash, sends "rewards cards." More >>

* Nextel institutes "billing fee" and charges for spam text messages.

* Inphonics stiffs consumers on rebates, then declares bankruptcy after we sue.

Here are some of the cell phone company tricks and traps that Consumer Watchdog is currently investigating:

  • Broken promises of low-priced monthly rates and calling plans.
  • Misleading ads for special "family" or "unlimited calling" programs.
  • Billed for unwanted text messages.
  • "Signed up" and charged for service you never requested.
  • Rebates you never get.
  • Renewal of a cell phone contract for another year or two without your consent.
  • Fees and other charges you never agreed to.
  • Dropped calls, poor quality connections.
  • Bills you can't understand.
  • Can't reach customer service to correct mistakes.
  • Company refuses to fix errors.
  • Account cancelled because you "overused" an "unlimited" service.

Have you experienced these or other cell phone problems? We want to hear about it – take a minute now to tell us what happened to you.

Recent Articles:

Nextel Settles For $750,000

By Ciaran McEvoy, LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL
December 21, 2009

Read More »

T-Mobile To Start Charging Customers For Receiving Bill In The Mail

By Staff Reporters, WAGT NBC-TV 26 (Augusta, GA)
September 1, 2009

Read More »

Cell Phone 'Choice of Law' Clause Unlawful, Judge Finds

By Catherine Ho, LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL
May 28, 2009

Read More »

AT&T Class Action Suit Can Proceed To Trial

By Wire Reports, COMMUNICATIONS DAILY
May 28, 2009

Read More »

U.S. Court Rules Class Action Against AT&T Can Go On

By Sinead Carew & Andre Grenon, REUTERS
May 27, 2009

Read More »

View All Next »

Recent Posts in Going to Court:

Thanks Blue Cross, you gave the public its reason to reform

March 5, 2010 | Posted by Jamie Court

The President called for an up or down vote on health care reform, but I can say from my own experience this week working with Blue Cross patients, who are part of Consumer Watchdog’s lawsuit against he company, that the public has already cast its vote. 

Read More »

President Obama's best ally--Anthem Blue Cross

March 3, 2010 | Posted by Judy Dugan

President Obama's "get it done" speech on health reform Wednesday may have been a day late, but I hope it's not a dollar short, as the old saying goes. At least he has one tremendous ally in his call for action by Congress: Anthem Blue Cross, and the continuing outrage at its huge rate increases.

 

Read More »

Can't pay for your health insurance?

March 2, 2010 | Posted by Judy Dugan

Veteran political cartoonist Clay Bennett of Chattanooga has the solution...

 

Read More »

Why shouldn't Obama throw innocent patients under the bus? Ask Steven Olsen

February 23, 2010 | Posted by Jamie Court

As pressure builds toward Thursday's "bipartisan" presidential summit on health care reform, some Capitol Hill staffers have reported receiving calls from the White House claiming the President is ready to give up the legal rights of medical malpractice victims for GOP support.

What's wrong with the trade-off? LA's local NPR talk radio host, Larry Mantle of KPCC's Air Talk, asked me yesterday in a midst of a debate about Obama's new health care reform proposal, which appropriately did not mention any changes to medical malpractice accountability. So I told Steven Olsen's story.

Yesterday happened to be the 20th birthday for Steven Olsen, whose tragic story at the age of two year deeply touched me and every one who ever heard it. Steven and his terrific parents, Kathy and Scott, will be at the White House next Monday to stop the President from using the remedies of innocent patients as a bargaining chip to get Republican votes. If President Obama personally spends a few minutes with Steven, it's hard to imagine how his conscience will let him sell out the rights of injured patients for Republican votes.

Read More »

Oh, the irony

August 14, 2009 | Posted by Carmen Balber

You may remember the Civil Justice Association of California from decades of attacks on consumer rights such as Proposition 64, the ballot initiative that let companies off the hook under California's unfair competition law for any harm that is not measured in dollars, like loss of health, environmental damage or consumer deception ...

Read More »

View All Next »

Face Off With Obama!

Tell the President what's on your mind, then send your photo with Obama to your friends and the White House at BarackAndMe.com

Facebook users can click here.

Forward This Page To A Friend

Credit Card Surcharges Being Passed On To Consumers

Consumer Watchdog In Action

Recent Legal Actions