Government and Politics
May 10, 2024
From: Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D.HONOLULU - The state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection announces a $10.25 million, 50-jurisdiction settlement with AT&T Mobility, LLC, Cricket Wireless, LLC, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Cellco Partnership, d/b/a Verizon Wireless, and TracFone Wireless, Inc. (collectively, the “Wireless Carriers”), which resolves the Office of Consumer Protection and state attorneys general investigations into the Wireless Carriers’ deceptive and misleading advertising practices.
“This settlement holding wireless carriers accountable for misleading advertising sets a precedent for transparency and honesty in the industry,” said Mana Moriarty, executive director of the Hawai‘i Office of Consumer Protection. “Moving forward, consumers can expect clear disclosures and truthful representations in advertisements and offers.”
The assurance terms are a key component of the settlements which address the common misleading advertising practices of the Wireless Carriers, including misrepresentations concerning: (1) “unlimited” data advertisements, which failed to clearly and conspicuously disclose material limitations; (2) “free” phone offers, which failed to clearly and conspicuously disclose material conditions; (3) monetary incentives to “switch” wireless networks, which failed to clearly and conspicuously disclose how the monetary incentives would be provided; and (4) wireless carrier plan comparisons, which failed to disclose material differences.
The assurance terms will, among other things, require the Wireless Carriers to:
The state of Hawai‘i will receive $79,928.66 as part of the 50-jurisdiction settlements with the Wireless Carriers. The payments may be used for consumer protection enforcement and consumer education.