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Charter Cable TV Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: Charter cable TV customers are suing the company Charter Communications Inc. over an alleged bait-and-switch scheme, but four of the five plaintiffs have been forced into arbitration
- Why: A judge said the plaintiffs did not specifically opt out of the arbitration agreement
- Where: The case is being heard in a Connecticut federal court
Only one of five Charter cable TV customers who allege the company tricked them with a “bait-and-switch” scheme with hidden fees may go ahead with a class action lawsuit, a Connecticut federal judge has ruled.
In an order filed Jan. 14, U.S. District Judge Charles S. Haight Jr. ruled that four of the named plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed against Charter Communications Inc. in 2020 must resolve their claims through arbitration — outside of court.
He agreed with Charter’s supplied documentation that most of the plaintiffs had agreed to the company’s General Terms.
“The record shows that Plaintiffs Kleuskens, Weber, Foster-Harper, and Kinell all assented to the arbitration provision by clicking “I Agree” when presented with electronic versions of the General Terms,” he wrote.
“These plaintiffs also assented to the agreement by continuing to use and pay for Charter’s services after receiving notices on their billing statements.”
Only Randall Byrne will be allowed to stay and lead the class action because he was the only one to specifically opt out of the arbitration agreement that the rest agreed to. Byrne must wait for the arbitrations to conclude before he continues with the class action, Judge Haight ruled, as the arbitration may overlap with the case.
The Charter customers filed the class action lawsuit in May 2020, saying that the communications company misled its customers about the costs of its Spectrum cable television services.
The customers, all of whom have Spectrum TV subscription with Charter, allege the company deceptively increases the monthly rate, charges undisclosed fees, reduces the number of channels included in its packages, and makes it hard for customers to cancel their service subscriptions.
The plaintiffs say that they were all offered a lower monthly rate that was then raised, contrary to what the company advertised.
The customers all present similar stories of how the company implanted a “bait and switch” scheme that led to them paying more than was advertised when they decided to purchase subscriptions.
Have you ever encountered hidden fees in your cable or internet services? Share your experiences in the comments below.
The customers are represented by Hugh W. Cuthbertson and Steve Rickman of Zangari Cohn Cuthbertson Duhl & Grello PC, Michael W. Sobol and Daniel E. Seltz of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP, and by Daniel M. Hattis of Hattis & Lukacs.
The Charter Cable TV Bait-And-Switch Class Action Lawsuit is Randall Byrne, et al. v. Charter Communications Inc., et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-00712, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
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26 thoughts onCharter Cable TV Class Action Customers Must Arbitrate Over Alleged ‘Bait and Switch’ Tactics
Spectrum Charter has violated me in every possible way they can. In 2019, they cancelled my landline because I was shopping new service. I did not acquire new service, they said shopping. Spectrum has downgraded internet speed regularly for years. Spectrum has charged horribly for cable TV without notice. I would not pay for TV I did not receive last year so in July 2023 I was cut off. I returned Spectrum Charter boxes and received a receipt. In November 2023, I finally changed provider and returned the out-of-date boxes for internet and wifi. I did exactly as I did in July 2023. I took them to the office. I was met by a heavy set girl with fake hair, eyelashes and nails. Because I am deaf, she said something about UPS. I told I was deaf and left the devices on a table and left the building. I received a bill like I was still connected. They kept the whole month of ACP and did not prorate. I have written letter after letter to Spectrum Charter at 3 different addresses. They act like a narcissist trying to confuse locations and addresses. I have all bills to show that I was a good customer and they were a bad provider. They owe me so I get away permanently from the thieves.