Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today a 50-jurisdiction settlement of $10.25 million with AT&T Mobility, LLC, Cricket Wireless, LLC, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Cellco Partnership (also known as Verizon Wireless), and TracFone Wireless, Inc. This collective group is referred to as the "Wireless Carriers". The settlement resolves investigations led by state attorneys general into alleged deceptive and misleading advertising practices by these carriers.
The attorneys general allege that the Wireless Carriers engaged in several common unlawful practices. These include misrepresentations related to "unlimited" data advertisements that failed to clearly disclose material limitations; "free" phone offers that did not clearly disclose material conditions; monetary incentives to "switch" wireless networks without clear disclosure on how these incentives would be provided; and wireless carrier plan comparisons that failed to disclose material differences between competing plans.
As part of the settlement terms, the Wireless Carriers will be required to address these issues. Additionally, the Commonwealth of Virginia will receive $192,061.83 in attorneys’ fees and costs as part of the 50-jurisdiction settlements with the Wireless Carriers.