Can AT&T really slow down my smart phone just because I use it? I get that question fairly often these days. Here is an answer from the courts. A Judge says it isn't fair for AT&T to sell a consumer an unlimited plan and then purposely slow down his phone because he uses it. AT&T ordered to pay $850.
>>Here's more info: http://consumerist.com/2012/02/man-sues-att-for-throttling-his-iphone-service----and-wins.html
DIRECTV has agreed to a settlement requiring it to pay the government $13 million and refund millions more to its customers. DIRECTV is accused of ripping off customers by tricking them. A multi-state investigation found the company extended contracts without customers' knowledge. They failed to deliver promised channels and changed contract terms of promotions. For instance DIRECTV offered a two-year deal at $29.99 a month, about half price, but did not disclose that the second year was at the regular price. Californians who believe they were misled by DIRECTV have until June 9 to file a complaint.
>>For more infomation go to: http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php
Are you getting sales calls at home and don’t want them. By law you can make them stop. This was in the media BIG TIME a few years back, but there hasn’t been much publicity lately. So for those who forgot or never knew here’s how to keep your phone from ringing during dinner time: The National Do Not Call Registry.
Credit card companies are really pushing their airline mileage cards. They can be great deals offering 25,000 to 35,000 miles just for signing up. But don’t pick a program by bulk miles alone. Airline frequent flier miles are not all created equal. When using those miles passengers must still pay fees and taxes… and that’s where they get you. One airline will charge you $25 the next $125. So compare programs before signing up for a reward card. Frequentflier.com does a lot of the work for you.
Whiter Teeth? Flatter Stomach? Shiny Hair?
If you’ve been on the internet lately you’ve seen all the pitches for “free trial offers”. If they are free why do I get so many complaints? If it is free why am I giving up my credit card number? Many trial offers are legit and a great way for consumers to try out a product or service before making a financial decision. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission here’s what you need to do before signing up:
•Find the terms and conditions of the offer. If you can’t find them or can’t understand exactly what you’re agreeing to, look for another merchant. You don’t want to commit to recurring charges for products or services by mistake – or before you’ve tried them and made your decision.
•Pay attention to pre-checked boxes. That check may bind you to terms and conditions you’re not comfortable with – or ready to accept.
•Look for information how you can cancel future shipments of merchandise or services if you don’t want them. Do you have to pay? Do you have a limited time to respond? If you’re not satisfied with the information in the offer, look for another one that meets your needs.
•Read your credit and debit card statements very shortly after you’ve responded to a free trial offer – and often afterward – looking for charges you don’t recognize or didn’t authorize. Contact the merchant first to try to resolve the issue; notify the card issuer promptly if you see any unusual or unauthorized charges.
The Federal Trade Commission is warning 18 websites offering free credit reports that they must clearly disclose that a free report is available under federal law. The new FTC Free Credit Report Rules requires companies help consumers distinguish between websites requiring fees for ‘free’ credit reports and the federally mandated no-strings-attached credit reports available at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
