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The phone company Global Tel*Link Corp. (GTL), which provides service to 1.1 million inmates in jails across the United States, was hit with a proposed class action lawsuit June 12. Lead plaintiffs Jacqueline Mills Jacobs, Gregory William Jacobs and Arron Jacobs allege GTL has participated in unlawful conduct for years, including unfair rates for phone services and providing correctional facilities with kickbacks for contracting through them. They are seeking more than $5 million in damages on behalf of themselves and all potential Class Members.
The plaintiffs claim that without a competitive market to constrain prices, “[i]nmates are literally a captive market for GTL.” The Jacobs Family claims GTL charged up to 100 times the normal market rate for inmates to make intrastate telephone calls. The GTL lawsuit states that “families of incarcerated individuals often pay significantly more to receive a single 15 minute call from prison than for their basic monthly phone service.”
GTL is currently the phone system provided in 2,200 correctional facilities across 48 states. The lead plaintiffs allege that GTL is in violation of the Federal Communications Act by exploiting their position to charge unreasonably high prices. They also claim that the prison phone provider gives 45 percent kickbacks to contracting facilities in the form of “site commissions.” The plaintiffs estimate that the kickbacks exceed $124 million per year.
In addition to the unlawful conduct charges, the proposed GTL class action lawsuit seeks to represent a subclass that alleges GTL was also in violation of Arkansas deceptive trade practices. According to the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Act, it prohibits taking advantage of consumers who are unable to protect his/her interests for various reasons including: Physical infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, and the inability to understand the language of the agreement.
The Arkansas subclass portion of the class action lawsuit alleges that due to the deceptive trade practice violations of GTL, potential Class Members have “suffered as a result of unwittingly being charged to fund the secret kickback payments and pay for exploitive fees and charges.” The lead plaintiffs seek to recover financial compensation for damages due to the amount of the unjust and unreasonable charges imposed as a result of kickbacks.
If approved, the GTL prison phone provider class action lawsuit would be open to all Class Members who paid to use the telephone systems provided by GTL or its subsidiaries in order to make or receive an intrastate telephone call involving an incarcerated person in all U.S. states, except for the state of New Jersey, anytime between Feb. 16, 2000 to the current day. The Jacobs family expects thousands to join once the class action lawsuit is approved.
The Jacobs family is represented by Amy C. Martin of Everett Wales & Comstock and Peter A. Muhic, Edward W. Ciolko, Donna Siegel Moffa and Monique Galloway of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check LLP.
The GTL Prison Phone Provider Class Action Lawsuit is Jacobs, et al v. Global Tel*Link Corporation, Case No. 15-cv-05136, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
UPDATE: The GTL Prison Phone Provider Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on August 27, 2018. Top Class Actions will let our viewers know if a similar case is filed.
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82 thoughts onGlobal Tel*Link Class Action Alleges Unfair Rates for Inmates
Ive been waiting for this to happen. I’ve been using GTL since 2008 and still having to. Most people in prison and their families don’t have a lot of money or else they would have paid for a big attorney ! The system knows this and kicks a man when they’re down. Can’t wait for the outcome!
My name is Alicia Harris I do I get involved in this lawsuit I have been dealing with this company since 2007 and oh my God the money I have paid to them someone please email on this matter harrisa469@gmail.com thank you In advance
Please contact me concerning this matter!
I’ve been using this service for a number of years and they are still raising the service fees
Please contact me on this matter I have been using Globel tel link since 2005 Storyblack57@gmail.com Story Black
My name is Yolanda Young I’ve been dealing with Global Tel.link for a over 10 year’s Do I have a law suit against Global Tell.Link
Is there away we can be a part of the lawsuit?
The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!
We don’t talk the time they say! Twenty dollars a month the money disappear. We don’t talk everyday. It’s not fair when you living on a fix income such as myself! This been happing for two years.
I just recieve a letter in the mail regarding this action
How can we be part of this class action law suit? Me and my family have spent a lot if money over the years
Wow i have been using GTL for over 7 years and it is very expensive you pay 20 they take 4 plus a connect fee too and a 15 min call costs you around 5 to 10 $ not much left to use after one call. Hopefully i get contacted too. I got a letter in the mail the other day reguarding this i wish to be in on the lawsuit as well.
Rachel contact me..jmillzhoward75@gmail.com I just talk to a lady about the class action LAWSUIT against globeltellink
Wow ! I am in total shock, currently I am using GTL because my husband is incarcerated & have been using this company since 2009. Its a shame to hear that this company has been riping US ALL off for our money that we all work hard for just to talk to our loved ones that are incarcerated. Its like sometimes I can only afford to put 10$ at a time & for them to take out a 4$ fee leaves me with literally 6$ to work with. I really hope someone can contact me regarding this matter. And I hope everyones situation can get resolved. I dont even want to use the company ANYMORE but jave NO CHOICE because thats the only way I have to keep in contact with my husband. Thanks