Dallas, TX: AT&T has just announced the proposed settlements of class action lawsuits relating to certain billing practices of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., which was merged out of existence when it combined with Cingular in 2004.
The Settlements do not concern the practices of Cingular Wireless or AT&T Mobility. The class actions that are part of the proposed settlements challenge the following alleged billing practices of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. and related entities, including Santa Barbara Cellular Systems, Ltd. ("AWS"):
(1) charges for mMode Data Service, if the subscriber did not authorize the charges or did not understand the disclosures about the charges;
(2) charges for ENH Discount International Dial ("EDID"), if the subscriber did not authorize the charges or did not understand the disclosures about the charges;
(3) charges for cellular telephone calls during a billing period other than the billing period in which the calls were made ("Out-of-Cycle Billing"), if the subscriber did not understand the disclosures about the charges; and
(4) the Universal Connectivity Charge ("UCC"), if the subscriber was not aware at the time of subscribing that the UCC would be charged.
The representative plaintiffs claim that these practices violate the Federal Communications Act and consumer protection laws of California, Washington, and other states and territories of the United States. AT&T strongly denies the representative plaintiffs' claims of any wrongdoing, but has agreed to settle to avoid the burden and cost of further litigation.
Class members who were AWS customers after March 1, 1999 and who submit Approved Claim Forms may be eligible for the following benefits:
â—¦mMode: $8 check
â—¦EDID: $10 check
â—¦Out of Cycle Billing: $8 check or a 250 minute AT&T Phone Card
â—¦UCC: $7 check
To seek benefits and remain in the Settlement Classes, class members must mail or submit a completed claim form online by February 13, 2011. Class members who do not wish to participate in the settlements, may exclude themselves from the Settlement Classes by September 29, 2010. Class members may also stay in the Settlement Classes and object to the settlements by September 29, 2010. The Court will hold a hearing on November 15, 2010 to consider the fairness of the proposed settlements.
