Attorney General Ellison wins $128K in refunds for waste-disposal company consumers over undisclosed fees
Jun 28, 2024 (SAINT PAUL) – Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced a settlement with Allied Waste Services of North America LLC, operating as Republic Services, that will provide more than $128,000 in refunds to consumers. The settlement addresses Republic's failure to disclose waste-container removal fees to certain consumers who canceled the company’s services. Additionally, the settlement mandates that Republic Services properly disclose all fees, including waste-container removal fees, moving forward.
The Attorney General’s investigation revealed that Republic Services did not inform all customers about container removal fees upon service cancellation. The investigation found that while Republic Services provided some consumers with a written fee schedule intended to outline all charges, it omitted the container removal fees from this document. Consumers also reported instances where these fees were not disclosed.
“Free markets require honesty and transparency to work properly. Consumers shopping around for services are entitled to clear and accurate information about the price they will pay,” Attorney General Ellison stated. “In some cases, Republic Services failed to meet its obligations to disclose the fees it charged. I appreciate Republic Services’ willingness today to provide refunds to consumers for its past failure to disclose certain container removal fees through this settlement.”
Under the terms of the settlement, known as an Assurance of Discontinuance, Republic Services will make direct payments to those consumers identified during the investigation as having been improperly charged container removal fees. In addition to issuing these refunds, the Assurance of Discontinuance requires Republic Services to take measures ensuring clear and conspicuous disclosure of its fees in the future.
Consumers experiencing issues with companies failing to provide complete and accurate cost information are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office via its online complaint form or by calling (651) 296-3353 within the Twin Cities or (800) 657-3787 from Greater Minnesota.
For further information:
Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area)
(800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities)
(800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay)
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