Mint Mobile appeal overview:
- Who: Prepaid wireless provider Mint Mobile is appealing a National Advertising Division (NAD) ruling made in response to AT&T challenging its advertising.
- Why: The NAD ruled Mint Mobile was misleading consumers into believing that its offer of plans for $15 per month was a long-term deal, rather than a promotional rate that will expire after three months.
- Where: Mint Mobile is used by consumers nationwide.
Mint Mobile has appealed a ruling by the National Advertising Division (NAD) that the prepaid wireless provider misled consumers with advertising that stated it offered plans for “now just $15/mo.”
The NAD, which is part of the nonprofit organization BBB National Programs, ruled Mint Mobile was misleading customers into believing the offer of a $15-per-month plan would be a long-term deal, according to Law360.
The ruling came after AT&T reportedly took issue with the Mint Mobile ad and brought its claims before the NAD, a watchdog group that allows companies to challenge the advertising of their rivals.
The NAD, meanwhile, determined Mint Mobile’s advertisement was misleading since it only offers the $15 per month plans to customers who pay upfront, and further, because it is only a promotional rate that increases after three months, Law360 reports.
Mint Mobile recommended to discontinue ad or disclose that it is a promotional offer
The NAD has reportedly recommended that Mint Mobile either discontinue the advertisement or disclose to consumers clearly and conspicuously that the $15-per-month deal is a promotional offer that will expire after three months.
Mint Mobile, in response, said it “respectfully disagrees” with the NDA’s finding that the company did not adequately disclose the “contours of the promotion,” according to Law360.
The company also said it disagreed with the finding that consumers would “reasonably interpret” that the advertisement would mean that offered rate would be “in perpetuity,” arguing consumers know it only offers wireless plans in installments of three, six and 12 months.
The NAD fast-tracked the vetting process for the claim by using Fast-Track SWIFT, a process it reportedly said was designed “for single-issue advertising cases,” brought before the watchdog.
The National Advertising Review Board, the NAD’s appellate body, will consider Mint Mobile’s appeal, Law360 reports.
Verizon asked a New Jersey federal judge in November 2022 to force arbitration for a class action lawsuit claiming it advertises a flat-rate monthly wireless plan that has hidden fees tacked on at the end of each month.
Do you use Mint Mobile as your wireless provider? Let us know in the comments.
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11 thoughts onMint Mobile appeals ruling against ‘misleading’ ad for $15 monthly plan
very misleading me and my son got tricked we thinked was 15 for three month now they want 120$ for one month
They do not disclose their fees. They tell me that I will be charged $120 for 3 months and the next day I’m charged $130.24. With absolutely no list of fees or reasoning. When I asked the mobile support, they told me the recovery fee is $8.50 (supposed to cover state and federal fees) and then there are a list of additional federal and state fees. If they would just tell me they were charging it, there wouldn’t be an issue, but they’re very sneaky and it took me 2 hours to get them to tell me what the fees were.
I have Mint Mobile and purchased a data expansion of 10 gigs and to my surprise the started me off 6.8 gigs in the negative leaving me with 2.2 gigs out 9f 10 I paid for.
To me they are banking data used at slow speed and charging you for high speed at slower speed when you buy extra data. I believe that if I pay for 10gigs I should get 10gigs…* or….am I wrong?? I also believe that it’s False advertising and Misleading! The tech support is a joke and full of incompetent idiots that CAN NOT speak english!
After 1 month I terminated my relationship with Mint Mobile. Not only do they practice dubious business practices (misleading advertising), they are totally incompetent! With their assistance, I was never able to get my primary phone working. I finally figured out the problem on my own, and made the correction. I think they owe me money for all the duress they caused!
I was a Mint Mobile customer. After being mislead about pricing, I tried to port out my number, and Mint refused to release my # or my phone, which I had purchased prior to signing up with Mint. I had to get a new number which was a serious hassle.
I was a Mint Mobile customer. After being mislead about pricing, I tried to port out my number, and Mint refused to release my # or my phone, which I had purchased prior to signing up with Mint. I had to get a new number which was a serious hassle.
I signed up for the promotional rate but as the end of the promotional rate approached, my only option to keep the promotional rate was to pay for a year upfront. Talk about playing dirty…
I agree
I am a Mint Mobile Costumer
This is very misleading and I would not have changed if fully disclosed. Mint actually blocks you from seeing true rare
I agree. I went on to sign a yearly membership just to keep the contract twice. Had so much trouble with the service the entire time that I finally gave 2 months before my second yearly membership expired. I don’t really feel like it was worth the money or time at all. Sorry mint, the experience just wasn’t “high five-able”.
It literally states that it’s a 3 month plan, and you got 3 months for $15. You didn’t lose anything. You’re not in a contract. Nothing was taken from you and you’re not screwed over. Take the win. Buy a year, or 6 months for like, what, $5 a month more? Or do 3 months which is STILL not expensive. If you don’t like those options, you can still leave and go somewhere else. Good luck finding it for less than Mint Mobile charges, while still getting the same value and service reliability.