OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Best Buy customers are being hit with surprise charges, a recent class action lawsuit alleges.
Alee Karim sued the company on July 12 in Alameda County Superior Court, and the company on Aug. 26 removed the case to California federal court. The lawsuit targets an internet security protection plan, as well as other auto-renewing subscriptions allegedly initially offered as free.
Best Buy fails to disclose that eventually the service will convert into a paid auto-renewing subscription unless the customer cancels it, the suit says.
"Best Buy readily acknowledges that 'getting an unexpected charge on your bank account can be disconcerting, especially if it's something you didn't want to sign up for, or renew,'" the suit says.
"Yet Best Buy has made this unnerving experience part of its e-commerce business model, trapping consumers into unintended purchases of paid internet security subscriptions and other auto-renewing subscriptions."
The lawsuit alleges violation of California auto-renewal laws. Karim is represented by the firms Branson Plutzik and Wittels McInturff.