Comcast Settlement Provides Refunds To Minnesota Consumers

Comcast has reportedly agreed to pay more than $1 million in refunds to Minnesota consumers as a part of a settlement agreement with the Minnesota Attorney General.

The Minnesota Comcast settlement will resolve allegations that the telecom giant misled consumers about the actual costs of it services.

In addition to the refunds, Comcast has also agreed to cancel the debts of around 16,000 customers who were charged early termination fees for downgrading or ending their contract.

Comcast further agreed to notify three credit bureaus, so these debts no longer affect Minnesota Comcast consumer credit scores.

“Together, the refunds and debt relief are worth millions of dollars,” said a statement from Keith Ellison, Minnesota’s Attorney General. “The settlement also requires Comcast to change its advertising practices to disclose to its customers the full amount that they will be charged for service.”

More than 8,000 Minnesota Comcast consumers are reportedly eligible for refunds in the class action settlement because they didn’t receive promotional items such as Visa prepaid gift cards between Jan. 1, 2013 and July 1, 2017. The refunds will be approximately $80 each.

About 5,000 Minnesota Comcast consumers who, between June 1, 2015 and July 1, 2017, were charged early termination fees after being involuntarily disconnected or who voluntarily downgraded their service will also get an $80 refund.

Another 2,000 may be eligible for a modem charge refund because they reportedly returned their Comcast modems within three months.

Additionally, within a month, Comcast will forgive the debt of at least 16,000 customers.

The Comcast lawsuit was filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office over allegations that consumers were overcharged for services. In addition, consumers complained that they were charged for equipment and services they did not order from Comcast. Consumers also said that they were not given promotional pricing and benefits that was promised by the telecom company.

The Attorney General’s Office accused Comcast of violating Minnesota consumer fraud and deceptive trade laws.

Minnesota Comcast consumers who believe they are eligible to take part in the settlement agreement can complete a form online with the Attorney General’s Office.

In addition to the refunds and cancellation of debts, Comcast has also agreed to ensure that “Disclosed Fees associated with the Residential Service” will be clearly and conspicuously displayed for their customers. The telecom giant will also develop a website that describes these fees. Television and radio ads will also need to indicate if there are extra fees, according to the Minnesota Comcast consumer settlement agreement.

For its part, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office will receive $160,000 as a part of the settlement.

Although the company agreed to the settlement, Comcast admitted no wrongdoing.

According to Ars Technica, the full cost of certain telecomm services has been hard for consumers to pin down under the current Federal Communications Commission leadership; however, a new federal law that will go into effect in 2020 will require companies like Comcast to provide total monthly charges to consumers before they enter into a contract with the company.

Have you been overcharged by Comcast? Tell us your story in the comments below!

The Minnesota Comcast Consumer Lawsuit is State of Minnesota v. Comcast Corporation, et al., Case No. 27-CV-18-20552, in the State of Minnesota District Court, Fourth Judicial District.

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