The mobile phone company AT&T reached an agreement with the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) to compensate users who were affected by a charge called “charge for deferred equipment”, and which affected more than 800,000 users in the year of 2018.
The Profeco detailed that the telephone company will discount and/or compensate more than 844,000 of its clients , for the collection of “deferred equipment charge”, made between November 2018 and August 2019.
How will AT&T users be compensated?
Users who are no longer current users of AT&T : The amounts charged will be returned to them plus 20% for compensation, Profeco detailed in a statement.
Current users : The company will discount the charges made plus an additional 20% compensation through an “internet-data” bag, consisting of 3 GB for each effective charge in each of the lines in which it has been made, without establishing a deadline for its consumption.
To those who filed a class action lawsuit : They will be contacted directly by Profeco, and in addition to the previous benefits, AT&T will pay compensation in the amount of 3,000.00 pesos.
What do I need to do to get AT&T to compensate me?
The benefits may be requested by consumers who are under these assumptions until October 4, 2023, for which they must request it at their nearest Customer Service Center:
The agreement was signed by the legal representatives of AT&T, Jorge Torres Martínez and Jerónimo Diez de Sollano Velasco Aceves, and by Pedro Francisco Rangel Magdaleno, deputy attorney for Telecommunications of Profeco.
Why did Profeco support a class action lawsuit against AT&T?
On March 21, 2021, Profeco reported on the process of a class action lawsuit against the telephone company after a judge certified compliance with the origin requirements of this lawsuit, due to an improper charge.
“It should be noted that Profeco filed a collective action for the collection of 224.99 pesos for the concept of “deferred equipment charge” considering that it is not justified because it is not contemplated in the adhesion contract and cover registered and authorized by this institution ” , .
This charge was applied to 844,480 people who have contracted with the company AT&T Comunicaciones Digitales, S. de RL de CV, telephone services under the postpaid modality, to whom the charge has been made annually, explained the Profeco on this case.
