Verizon settles ETF class action suit for $21 million
It's a far cry from the $1 billion potential pay-out we heard about initially, but it looks like Verizon will still be forking over a hefty chunk of cash as a result of that class action lawsuit over early termination fees -- $21 million, to be exact. Verizon still isn't about to admit to any wrong doing, however, with its spokesman saying simply that the suit "was a distraction," and that "this was a quick way to resolve it." As Dow Jones points out, the resolution of suits like these could well put a renewed focus on FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's efforts to curtail carriers' ability to charge ETF fees, which he hopes will eventually be governed by some national rules.[Via Phone Scoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
champ22 @ Jul 13th 2008 5:26PM
so there trying to do away with ETFs?
angie_is_dying @ Jul 13th 2008 12:55PM
Where?
Rambler82 @ Jul 13th 2008 8:55AM
Doesn't ETF mean Early Termination Fee
"...ETF fees" So.... Early Termination Fee Fees,
michelle @ Aug 5th 2008 10:05PM
i am forced to cancle early do to the harrassing attitude of verizion co. they continue to charge bogus amounts witch i am unable to paiy and i had to purchase my own phone just over 2 months after signing up related to a known defective phone the pink razor that over heated in my hands as i was talking to one of many of my doctors related to the fact i have multiple sclerosis also there harrassing attitude effects my heath stessing me out on a daily basis with the uncaring attitude mocing and even chuckingling at mistakes and claiming there billing mistakes are somehow caused by you. i was so suprised to see just how many hard working american were being treated the same way REMEMBER VERIZION THIS IS THE LAND OF THE FREE!!!!!! somehow we forgotten that comeone america lets pull togather and set this company striaght.
MP @ Aug 15th 2008 2:39PM
Does anyone have the link to the settelment form
Dave @ Aug 18th 2008 11:24AM
http://www.verizonetfsettlement.com/
DAVID X.PULLO @ Sep 11th 2008 9:57PM
i HAD BEEN WITH VERIZON WIRELESS FOR A FEW YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. MY KEY PAD STOPPED WORKING SO I BROUGHT IT TO A SERVICE CENTER. tHE TECH TOLD ME THAT I MUST HAVE GOTTEN IT WET AND I WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTEE.HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET A NEW PHONE. TO REPLACE THE PHONE IT WOULD COST ME $200.00 MINIMUM
OR SIGN A NEW 2 YEAR CONTRACT AND GET A FREE PHONE. NOT WANTING TO START A NEW CONTRACT I DECIDED TO TAKE THE $175.00 ETF AND WENT TO A NEW PROVIDER. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS BILLED FOR $350.00 ETF
BECAUSE I HAD 2 PHONES ON MY ACCOUNT. i EXPECTED ONE ETF AND WAS SHOCKED TO HAVE TO PAY FOR BOTH. i HAVE ONE CONTRACT WITH VERIZON
AND FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE PAYED DOUBLE. PLEASE FORWARD ME A
CLAIM FORM.
Sylvia McBride @ Sep 10th 2008 8:26PM
in august 2007 i paid 350.00 to verizon for etf and they were not nice, they had told me one thing but when it comes to pay they said they had no record of the first call. tks
C. R. LeFevre @ Sep 10th 2008 9:25PM
Please E-mail 2 claim forms to me.
Robert L. Siler @ Sep 10th 2008 10:36PM
I was constantly being harrassed by Verizon people saying that I owed them past due payments of which I did not owe them. I payed my bill promptly every month and they treated me like a delinquent paying customer. They called me on my home phone and it was always someone different. I would explain to them that it was another person that worked at the same place that I worked with the same name. I would finally convince the person who called by giving him or her my cell phone number, so they could look up my records. They would hang up without an apology. In the end I cancelled my phone with them of which I had for about 10 yeaars. They sent me threatening letters and earlly cancellation fees of over $300.00. I paid it just to be rid of such a terrible company and their company policy of how they treated their good customers. There was never any reason for them to treat me so badly or so rudely. I hope I get my money back, but will never be a Verizon Customer again. I hope the company gets its due justice.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Siler
Carolyn Russ @ Sep 11th 2008 12:51PM
please _mail me 2claim forms thank you
Marjorie Doyle @ Sep 11th 2008 1:47PM
Please send me 2 claim forms thank you.
I paid 389.33 to get rid of them!
Pam @ Sep 11th 2008 4:05PM
I had to pay a huge deposit when I had to cut my phones off after almost 2 yrs of service, due to a job loss. I was charged and paid ETF for 3 phones. then when I asked about my deposit, they didn' t know what I was talking about. I think I should get that back as well.
Susie @ Sep 11th 2008 4:14PM
Please send me a claim form. They said for a family plan it would be just $19.99 more. It ended up costing me the price of 2 cellular bills. I paid $389.00 to get rid of contract too.
Pamelia D.Pate @ Sep 11th 2008 4:08PM
I had my no. changed because of harrestment and had to come Montgomery , to get it changed. I did and talked to someone the phone and she said she wouldn't charge me the $15.00. She talked me into uping my minutes from 1400 to 2100, I agreed but she said being in the middle of billing it may be problem (overcharging). I told her I could wait, she said she could start my 2100 min. from the 1st. of that billing mo. instead of 1400 min. She said if I had any problems she would take care of it, just call her. I've tried 3 times, always got another person, this person said they could take $50.00 off, my bill was around a little under $500.00. What happen was they put all the 2100 min. on my phone and charged my daughter's phone per min.. I have 2 phones ( daughter & me). The last time I talked to was a man supposely over in mangement in verizon, he said he would check into it and get back with me after I got off, haven't heard from him yet. Please let know me if this can help me also. I don't need this hanging over my head, I had to move from Daviston, Al. to here to be with my mother( health reasons, unable to live my herself). I need a cell phone but I need to clear his up first before I do. My home #'s - 334-269-4623, work #'s - 334-285-0234 ( ask for credit coordinator- Lowes). Sincerly yours, Pamelia D. Pate
James @ Sep 11th 2008 4:53PM
I was forced to terminate service on one phone because a family member could not pay her bill I paid the bill in full then had to pay a ETF, Then i was out of work for 4 months (medical reasons), my bill was only 1 month delinquint . They charged me late fees, ETF, and wanted me to pay a $500.00 security deposit to have the service reconnected which would have been a total of $11061.00 no kidding. SO PLEASE SEND ME A CLAIM FORM
Heather Dorris @ Sep 11th 2008 4:55PM
In 2005 I had 2 phones with verizon. I shut one off due to theft. They charged me over $300 for ETF. I would like a claim form. I would like to get my money back if that is possible. And thank you to whoever started this class action suit against Verizon. I am still a customer and have been since it was known as AirTouch. I do not like changing but it is nice to know someone is looking out for us little people. Thanks again!
Jessica @ Sep 11th 2008 5:01PM
So if I still have EFT charges on an outstanding bill, can I get them removed? Since, after all, they are illegal.
victoria garcia @ Sep 13th 2008 9:06AM
please send to me claim forms by ETF Verizon thank you
charles ludwig @ Sep 12th 2008 7:01AM
they ripped me off
Ray Haines @ Sep 11th 2008 5:30PM
In 2001 or 2002 I tried verizon family plan for my sons and me, one son went renegade and left me with a high bill so verizon said I either had two choices just pay the montly for the remaining year and let my son run bill up or pay 175,00 etf. So knowing my son where ever his was that was a cheapter way to go. Then I had to take my other sons phone so I paid it twice. so if this qualifies me please e-mail me a form. Thanks
Linda Brandel @ Sep 12th 2008 2:02PM
I am sure I am entilted to something, I have been with verizon for a long period of time and was overcharged on more than one occcasion?
Linda Brandel @ Sep 12th 2008 2:01PM
I am sure I am entilted to something, I have been with verizon for a long period of time and was overcharged on more than one occcasion? Even when 2 of my sons joined the military, they still wanted me to pay the termination fee, evn if it it was'nt for our proud children fighting for our rights, all they care about is the almighty dollar and that stinks!!!!!!!
GEORGETTA @ Sep 29th 2008 5:39PM
i had a family shared plan and two phones . i had to pay an eft charges of 175.00 to stop services on one phone.
Philip Disselbrett @ Sep 12th 2008 7:31AM
How can I get a form.They got us too.
don peck @ Sep 12th 2008 11:16AM
i fulfilled my contract with verizon but when i went to stop my phone service,verizon chardge me with early termination fee,of190.00 dollars of witch i refused to pay because i had completed my contract.it finely came down to they gave in BUT it is on my credit report now..this is wrong i did everything they said to do.. thank you for giving me the chance to say about verizon what i thought. don peck , mt. vernon ohio
Judith Brotherton @ Sep 18th 2008 8:11PM
I had a family plan when they kept charging me for text messages and down loads on my son's phone.
His phone was off and put up in his bedroom. He was at Fort Benning, GA for his bootcamp training. When I called them they could not understand that this phone was not being used at that time and he must have texted and done the downloads. (I have no other children. No one except me had access to his room.) Needless to say, I got tired of arguing and paid it.
Further, come June the local store left a message on my phone that my contract had expired and I would be charged .45 cents a minute unless I came in and signed a new contract. I called and talked to an employee and told her that I didn't think my contract was up until August. She said no, it's up now. Therefore, I switched companies.
I paid the first $175.00 but I refused to pay the second $175.00. Collection agencies are still harrassing me.
Please e-mail me a form if this qualifies me to join this suit.
Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
roxanne williams @ Sep 11th 2008 9:35PM
send me form to fill out. i have had to pay 175.00 to cut off 2 phones that will not work in grundy co.that is 350.00 ETF. forME TO PAY out. Verizon is pretty damn sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Roxanne
Revel M Williams @ Oct 1st 2008 10:09AM
i Had Family Shared plan and two Phone had to play eft $350.00 for two phone plus the supervicer said i cant help that you are poor pay the bill i got a lone pay $950.00 plus for the lone i was over charge they didnt beleave me so felt that there was noyhing i can do ?
Thomas Roberts @ Sep 11th 2008 9:55PM
Will someone please email me a claim form? It cost me $350.00 to get rid of Verizon and I was too happy to do so.
Crystal Van Slyke @ Sep 11th 2008 10:49PM
Please send me a claim form for the ETF settlement. I paid the ETF fee and i would like my money back.
Naveah @ Sep 11th 2008 11:22PM
HELLO,
I JUST RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION VIA MAIL AND THOUGHT I'D CHECKED ONLINE TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T A SCAM, IF THIS IS REAL I WILL DEF FILE A CLAIM, I HAD TO PAY THEM $500, WHICH I TRIED TO DISPUTE BECAUSE I HAD A FAMILY PLAN WHICH I WAS SUPPOSED TO PAY 79.99/MONTHLY BUT ENDED UP PAYING OVER 300/MONTHLY, I NEVER QUESTIONED IT BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER IS CHATTERBOX SO I KNOW SHE'S ALWAYS ON THE PHONE BUT MY FRIENDS TOLD ME IT STILL SHOULDNT BE THAT HIGH, SO I DECIDED TO LEAVE FOR TMOBILE , ANYWAY THEY SENT ME A LAST BILL FOR $700 WHICH INCLUDED $350 ETF, I REFUSED TO PAY AT FIRST BUT THEY SENT MY NAME TO COLLECTIONS SO I HAD TO PAY BECAUSE THEY MESSED UP MY GOOD CREDIT, I HOPE THIS IS REAL BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO MAINTAIN A PERFECT CREDIT AND THEY RUINED IT, IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO FIX MY CREDIT BUT AT LEAST I WILL GET MY MONEY BACK .....CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS FOR REAL. THANKS!
don @ Sep 12th 2008 7:42PM
could someone email me a claim form. thank you don
Danielle Cook @ Sep 12th 2008 12:01PM
I received my notice, and yes I also paid $175 ETF. I would like the claim forms sent to me, so I can fill them out and return before Oct. 14,2008. I put in a request for the claim forms @ 1-888-309-3847 on Sept. 11th & 12th, 2008. Didn't see forms on website. Yes, I would like my refund of $175. And I can relate to everyone else who complained about Verizon customer sevice representives. They are very rude and unprofessional!
Barbara Johns @ Sep 12th 2008 2:37PM
I had to pay $175 ETF - I had to cancel my contract because the service was ridiculous. There were so many dead areas that it wasn't worth keeping. I would appreciate receiving a Claim Form. Thank you!
Patricia Wright @ Sep 12th 2008 3:51PM
I had to cancel with Verzion, because of problems with billing,and there poor customer service, and ws charged $175.00 for my phone and $175.00 for my husbands phone. in 2004 to 2006. and it would be nice to get my money back. I was a customer service rep for 17years, and I knew the customer i always right, but they were so rude to me when I had problem that I had to leave them.
David @ Sep 13th 2008 9:18AM
Please send forms I was charged $175.00 for a early termination two months ago
MARIO A GARCIA @ Sep 12th 2008 5:35PM
i would like a etf form>>>>i want my money back
please send me one
mary @ Sep 12th 2008 7:41PM
Dial this number and follow the prompts.
Chris @ Sep 13th 2008 2:13PM
Please can someone send me a claim form as well. I had to pay them $350 for ETFs as well. Thanks.
Mary @ Sep 12th 2008 7:40PM
I am ANOTHER victim of verizons ETF. I think it would be wonderful to get my money back since I am still waiting for my IRS stimulus payment thats 2 months overdue. I wonder if IRS will also give me interest for the time it took to get my check. God forbid when you owe them the interest is on your bill the FIRST day. Thanks
David Lee woodward @ Sep 13th 2008 1:47AM
Hello to all Verizon customers - If you think Verizon has not over charged you; you better triple check your statements, as you most likely have been ripped off. I know this personally. I was customer for at least 10 years, and the bill was never what it was supposed to be. I added another line to my plan to share the minutes, and it was going to be $20.00 dollars more a month; they charged me as if it was a new contract - $79.95 for two years - and said it was the stores fault (Best Buy) and I had no recourse regarding Best Buy's error. Due to this problem, I ended up with an erroneous over charge of $1,438.80! I am most certain that this was a purposeful scam, in how they purposefully over charged me. After being assaulted by the ridiculous, exacerbated fees, I finally chose to terminate my service, and was charged $300.00 dollars just to cancel the service (I had no active contract with them - that ended 8 years prior!). I actually ended up with a credit balance on my final statement and had to fight over 2-months get my own money back! I would warn anyone and everyone to beware of Verizon's unscrupulous ways!
Tom Welch @ Sep 12th 2008 9:02PM
They told me $100 shut-off fee and I told them to bill me for that. Got several more monthly statements racking up the charges. Typed up an information letter and sent it to Verizon, Better Business Bureau and my state congressman. Received another letter informing me the shut-off fee was $175 (not what I was told by their rep.) I refused to pay and now they say they're sending it to a collection agency! Don't know if it will do any good but I'd like to file a claim form so I can clear up my credit. Would you please send me one?
Graciela Diaz @ Sep 12th 2008 10:07PM
could someone email me a etf form please. Thank you
Esther Case @ Sep 12th 2008 10:21PM
Please send me the forms I need to file. We had the family plan w/ five phones and they even had charges were I was talking ( suposedly ) to three and four peaple at the same time.... very harrasing phone calls tho never from the same person . I also had the pink razor phone that the key pad stoped working and thay said it got wet and made me buy a new phone .
Robert Kelley @ Sep 13th 2008 9:40AM
Send me the forms I had to pay too
debora anderson @ Sep 13th 2008 1:02PM
please email me the needed class action suit form for review, thank you
Big John @ Sep 13th 2008 12:46PM
After 12 years with Verizon I had enough!! No service in locations where other companies had excellent reception I switched. Also had to pay ETF for two phones.At least I got rid of their excuses for poor service and am more satisfied with my new carrier!!
Nancy Blank @ Sep 13th 2008 5:35PM
Please send me a claim form. I am taking care of this problem for my 80 year old mother that was also charged for canceling early. She could not receive reception due to the mobile she lived in and the surrounding metal. She switched to AT&T and has not had any problems since.
mary sell @ Sep 14th 2008 12:09AM
please send me a clam form