Attorney General Phil Weiser announces $10.25 million settlement with wireless carriers for misleading consumers with free phones and unlimited data

May 9, 2024 (DENVER)—Attorney General Phil Weiser today announced a $10.25 million national settlement with several major wireless carriers that resolves the state attorneys general investigations into the companies’ deceptive and misleading offers of free phones, unlimited data plans, and incentives to switch carriers.

The 50-state settlement reached with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Cricket, T-Mobile, Cellco Partnership, and TracFone Wireless addresses common misleading advertising practices of the wireless carriers. These practices include misrepresentations of “unlimited” data advertisements, “free” phone offers, monetary incentives to “switch” wireless networks, and wireless carrier plan comparisons.

The settlement requires the carriers to be truthful, accurate, and non-misleading in future advertisements, clearly disclose all fees and conditions associated with lease agreements, and train costumer services representatives and enforce a program to ensure compliance with the terms of the settlement.

“For too long, wireless carriers have failed to live up to the misleading claims in their ads,” said Weiser. “This bipartisan work across all 50 states to hold carriers accountable for their deceptive marketing will give consumers clearer, more honest information about what they are getting for their money from these companies.”

Colorado will receive $147,408 from the settlement that can be used for any restitution, consumer fraud or antitrust enforcement, consumer education, or efforts to advance the public welfare.

Please click here to view the states’ agreement with AT&T and Cricket.

Please click here to view the states’ agreement with T-Mobile.

Please click here to view the states’ agreement with Cellco Partnership, Verizon Wireless, and TracFone Wireless.

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