WASHINGTON-A California-based consumer group said it filed complaints with state regulators today against Sprint PCS and Cingular Wireless L.L.C., accusing the mobile-phone operators of charging subscribers for unwanted text messages and ringtones.
The Utility Consumers’ Action Network, headquartered in San Diego, said it will ask the California Public Utilities Commission to take action against the two wireless carriers’ alleged practices of “cellular cramming.”
“Cell-phone customers should not be charged for ads sent to their phones by the carriers themselves, let alone any other advertiser. Sprint has apparently figured out a way where they can charge customers for advertisements and thus can use these spam ads to generate direct income. It is a troubling new paradigm where companies can charge customers each time they send an advertisement to that customer. Regulators need to stop this new rip-off in its tracks and put an end to unwanted text messages by preventing wireless companies from charging for this cellular cram,” stated Michael Shames, UCAN’s executive director.
Shames said Cingular violates state law by refusing to remove charges for unwanted text messages and ringtones provided by other companies and refusing to investigate consumer complaints. UCAN said it has documented various instances in which customers were charged for unauthorized ringtones or comedy messages delivered to their phones.
Sprint and Cingular were not immediately available for comment. Spokespersons for the two companies said they had not seen the complaints.
