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Class action suit against AT&T approved for former AT&T Wireless customers
News by Brian James Kirk on Friday May 29, 2009.
The Associated Press is reporting that former AT&T Wireless customers who filed a class action lawsuit for being mistreated when the company was bought by Cingular, now owned by AT&T, have been approved to go on with the suit. The customers are seeking payment for extra charges plus damages.
The subscribers claim that their service quality decreased and that they were forced to buy new phones when Cingular took over the old AT&T Wireless network. AT&T fought the suit, and tried to deflect customers to arbitration. The court ruled that it would be too expensive for individual customers to pursue that course. [via EngadgetMobile
It is worth clarifying that AT&T Wireless and AT&T are not the same company, in spite of the common aspects of their names. AT&T Wireless was a separate cell phone carrier that was purchased by Cingular. Cingular, at the time, was a join venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth. Later SBC acquired the original AT&T and assumed its name, further going on to acquire BellSouth and thereby gaining full ownership of Cingular, which was re-branded as AT&T Mobility. AT&T Mobility is the AT&T that we refer to most of the time on MobileBurn.com.
About the author
Brian James Kirk
Brian is a former news editor on MobileBurn.com that freelances in Philadelphia. You can follow him on Twitter as @BrianJamesKirk.
Kant Stand ATT @ 2:21:19PM EDT on Friday May 29, 2009
Please point out to your readers that the ATT wireless agreement recently changed.
It now specifically disallows participation in class action lawsuits like the one referenced above.
I called to complain and was told that it wasn't a change to my contract so I couldn't do anything about it. I filed a dispute resolution and was called to say that they were going to make it right by not requiring me to be bound by the class exclusion. I pointed out that what I wanted was to be freed from my contract....what good is the abililty to take part in a class if no one else can.
So, they said I couldn't do anything since MY contract wouldn't be changed....of course EVERY other customer who doesn't read the bill would change.
Pretty sweet legal mumbojumbo.....
So, if anyone ever wishes to have class action recours against ATT Wireless, now is the time to call, file a dispute resolution and have your account noted that you are not bound by the new agreement.
diana harry @ 1:10:51PM EDT on Saturday May 30, 2009
I also have been screwed by at&t wireless. After at&t took over, they dropped alot of the towers in our area without letting us know. We were told we had to purchase new phones and replace our sim cards, to fix the problem of no service and lots of dropped calls. After about 500 dollars for new phones,still had same problems,and had to switch carrier, once again had to purchase new phones. What a hassle. Never was reinbursed for phones, or bills we had to pay for no service How do i get put on this class action suit?
jerry @ 1:24:20PM EDT on Sunday May 31, 2009
I was a customer of AT&T before cingular bought them and when the merger happenned my billing was all messed up and they couldn't fix it so I just never paid and now its a negative mark on my credit report. And I would like to join the suit against At&T wireless. Please inform me how, jhawkfan78@gmail.com
wright @ 7:30:56AM EDT on Sunday June 21, 2009
I was wondering what was going on. Services areas I use to be abe to make calls in started showing no service or being dropped. I was told first it was my SIM card and then told it was my phone after I was still having the same roblem. I still have the same problem, new phone and all.
BadATTitude @ 9:01:16AM EDT on Sunday June 21, 2009
Yup, me too. HAD to buy a new phone or would be charged a monthly charge to use the old one. Then, in our already limited home area, my service went to zilch. I have to pay for a second carrier's phone, to be able to use mine at home.
Send me info on the class action. I'm sure if there are enough people, it will go forward.
Debbie @ 10:31:31AM EDT on Sunday June 21, 2009
YES!!! How do we get in on this suit? This company stinks.