TracFone class-action settlement could cost up to $70M

TracFone Wireless Inc. agreed to settle a class-action suit alleging the top prepaid cellular company misled consumers by charging them at the roaming rate in their home calling area and refusing to extend the length of their prepaid service periods during repairs of defective handsets.
The cost of the settlement, which will give each of the 12 million to 13 million TracFone customers in the class 20 additional units of airtime, could reach $70 million.
Boone Circuit Judge Tony Frohlich is expected to hold a hearing on the proposed settlement April 27 in a Burlington, Ky., state court.
TracFone could not immediately be reached for comment.