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Suddenlink Internet Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A California consumer has advanced a class action lawsuit against a pair of Suddenlink internet providers, Cebridge Telecom CA, LLC and Altice USA, Inc.
- Why: Suddenlink internet users are hit with an unexpected fee on top of the price advertised by the telecom companies, says the plaintiff.
- Where: The class action lawsuit, originally filed in state court, was transferred to California federal court.
Suddenlink internet users are hit with an unexpected fee shortly after signing up for the service, claims a class action lawsuit lodged in California federal court Wednesday.
Lead plaintiff, Nick Vasques, wants to represent other California consumers who he says were duped by a “bait-and-switch” scheme to sign up for Suddenlink internet service. Vasques accuses Cebridge Telecom and Altice USA of luring consumers in with a flat monthly rate and then tacking on a “Network Enhancement Fee” amounting to an additional $3.50 a month for each Suddenlink internet user.
Vasques says that he signed up for Suddenlink internet based on a “particular flat monthly rate” advertised by the telecom providers. He says that nowhere in their promotional material or terms of service did Cebrigde Telecom or Altice USA disclose that a $3.50 Network Enhancement Fee would be added to his monthly bill.
Suddenlink Internet ‘Price for Life’ False Advertising
The plaintiff accuses the telecom companies of using a “Price for Life” promotion to falsely advertise Suddenlink internet services to California consumers. The promotion touts a fixed price for Suddenlink internet service for life.
In addition, the companies offered bundled services at a so-called flat monthly fee with a fixed price for one year; however, Suddenlink internet users, amounting to 19,000 in California, are hit with unexpected fees that the companies try to hide in their billing statements.
Indeed, Vasques claims that the telecom companies try to conceal the added fee from Suddenlink internet users by making it appear as a tax or government pass-through charge that they cannot control.
“In the event that a customer happens to notice the Network Enhancement Fee has been charged on their monthly statement and contacts Suddenlink to inquire about the Fee, Suddenlink agents falsely tell the customer that the Fee is a tax or government fee or is otherwise out of Suddenlink’s control,” states the class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff says these “fictitious” fees add up to more than $800,000 a year in profit for the Suddenlink internet providers.
The class action lawsuit accuses Cebridge Telecom and Altice USA of violating California consumer protection laws.
Vasques wants to put a stop to these Suddenlink internet fees. He also wants the Telecom companies to pay a Class of California Suddenlink internet subscribers back for Network Enhancement Fees they were charged.
Suddenlink internet users are far from the first to complaint of bait-and-switch schemes used to advertise telecom services. RCN Telecom Services was accused of duping consumers by falsely advertising their rates in a class action filed in March.
AT&T was recently accused of sending expired or nearly-expired Visa gift cards as a part of a marketing ploy.
Did you sign up for Suddenlink internet? Did you pay unexpected fees? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Daniel M. Hattis and Paul Karl Lukacs of Hattis & Lukacs.
The Suddenlink Internet Fee Class Action Lawsuit is Vasquez v. Cebridge Telecom CA, LLC et al, Case No. 1:21-cv-06400 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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23 thoughts onSuddenlink Internet Users Accuse Telecom of ‘Bait-and-Switch’ in Class Action Lawsuit
Suddenlink / Optimum are thieves! They never give credits for outages, charge outrageous fees and keep hiking prices and won’t give any explanation
I have had Suddenlink services for years. How can I submit a claim for this .
I was with Suddenlink back in 2021. They was charging me ridiculous prices every month. How can I get in on the lawsuit and do I qualify for it. I live in Kinston NC. For more information feel free to message me.