Cooper
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper led a group of attorneys general in reaching a $5.9 million with satellite television provider DISH Network.
The settlement, announced Friday, comes after allegations the company engaged in unfair and deceptive sales practices, including charging customer bank accounts and credit cards without proper authorization.
As a result of the settlement, each of the 46 states involved will receive more than $100,000 to cover legal fees, as well as set up programs designed to curb future deceptive marketing practices.
"I appreciate DISH Network's full cooperation in this agreement," Cooper said.
"I am pleased that my office was able to lead the negotiations of this settlement, which will help consumers understand exactly what they are getting and what the cost is when they sign up for service from DISH Network."
The settlement resolves allegations Dish Network charged credit cards without consent, made telemarketing calls in violation of do-not-call rules, failed to disclose terms and conditions of customer agreements, did not disclose leased or purchased equipment was used and made references to phony competitor prices when the prices could not be proved.
The three-year investigation was led by the Tennessee Attorney General Consumer fraud division.
In addition to Tennessee, the attorneys general of the following states participated in the settlement: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.