Global technology company CenturyLink will pay more than $6 million to the state of Washington under a settlement over allegations of the company’s unfair and deceptive practices.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson says CenturyLink added charges to customer bills without accurately disclosing those fees, impacting 650,000 state residents. CenturyLink also failed to provide discounts that their sales agents had promised to about 16,000 people.
The AG’s Office began its investigation into CenturyLink in 2016, after receiving complaints from consumers that their actual bills were more than the advertised price, or the price that they were promised by sales representatives.
Under the settlement, $900,000 of the money has been or will be directly refunded to Washington consumers to make up for discounts they were promised, but did not receive. Ferguson will set aside the remainder until a nationwide class action lawsuit filed in Minnesota resolves.
If the eligible Washington residents receive less than full restitution through the class action, the remainder of the $6 million will be provided to them. If the class action lawsuit results in full restitution, Ferguson will invest the recovery into the AG’s Office to continue combating dishonest fees. (Washington AG)
