www.EmploymentCrossing.com

 

Denver’s Qwest Communications International has become the latest in a lengthening list of telcos sued by customers over early termination fees, in a class action filed in U.S. District Court, according to BetaNews.

 

The suit challenges the practice of charging early termination fees, or ETFs, for broadband ISP services in so-called "price-for-life" plans.

 

Plaintiffs claim they were charged $200 by Qwest upon canceling their high-speed Internet services. Although Qwest's price-for-life plan is pitched to customers as requiring only a two-year agreement, Qwest charges an ETF regardless of the customer's cancellation date, according to the court complaint.

.

The plaintiffs also suggest that Qwest has tried to collect ETFs from them without being able to provide any evidence -- such as a signed contract or a tape recording -- that they ever agreed to pay a fee if they cancelled the service.

 

Sprint and Verizon Wireless did not fare very well in other class action suits brought by customers, filed in California earlier this year. A judge in California ordered Sprint to pay $18.3 million to customers who launched a class action suit over fees charged for ending their contracts early -- as well as to credit another $54.5 million to customers who were charged the fees but hadn't paid them yet.

 

In June, Verizon Wireless settled a similar case in the state of California for $21 million, just as court proceedings got under way.

 

For more information click here