Blumenthal
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Friday said his office has reached an agreement with AT&T, which will allow state consumers the option of blocking third party fees on their bill.
Earlier this month, the attorney general made the request after receiving a large number of complaints from residents about fees put on phone bills without their consent.
"This major victory for consumers slams the crammers, nipping fraud in the bud," Blumenthal said.
Third party charges are placed on the bill for various services such as Web site payments or travel, according to Blumenthal.
He said scammers will use a variety of deceptive methods to add on extra charges to phone bills such as luring consumers to sign up for web services.
"I am pleased that AT&T listened to my concerns and agreed to let Connecticut customers block all non-AT&T charges. This block is a powerful fraud fighter, scuttling scammer access to consumer bills," Blumenthal said.