Warrantless wiretap votes equal dollars from Telecom PAC
Telecom political action groups gave twice as much money to Democrats who switched from opposing to supporting legal amnesty to Telecoms that aided the government's warrantless wiretapping program. More.
SHUT UP AND DRIVE! Why new laws should not apply to young people.
Using a cell phone without hands-free equipment while driving is now unlawful. However, studies show that hands-free driving isn't necessarily any safer than having a cell phone glued to your ear, and that simply talking on any phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. Yet oddly, talking to a fellow passenger while driving or listening to the radio does not seem to be a significant cause of accidents. Why? Is it possible that driving poorly while talking on the phone is a function of age? More.
California law prohibiting handheld cell phone usage while driving takes effect July 1st
California law prohibiting handheld cell phone usage takes effect July 1st. This blog explains the details, limitations, and exceptions to the law.
Hands off the cell phone or pay the fine
Hands off the cell phone or pay the fine is expressed in a San Diego Union Tribune article written by staff writer Pauline Repard. She presents the difference in rules for teens and adults and points out how ironic it is that legally adult drivers are not barred from sending text messages even though they are barred from talking on the phone while driving.
Cell phone users 'crammed' with unauthorized fees
Phone Fraud on the Prowl: LawyersandSettlements.com interviews UCAN Advocate Sue Macomber urges consumers to inspect for their phone bills for cramming - a form of white collar phone billing fraud. READ MORE
Limiting the unlimited; forced slowdown of bandwidth hogs creates uncertainty
An interesting article in Sunday's New York Times sheds light on a recent strategy that Internet service providers have been putting into motion. More.
Dispute puzzling charges on your cell phone bill
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 9, 2008 - EVER NOTICE a mysterious charge on your cell phone bill for ringtones, premium text messaging or other mobile content you didn't authorize? Read more.
Verizon Wireless and Alltel there goes another wireless carrier
Verizon and Alltel are merging, but is it good for consumers?
AT&T settles nationwide class action suit over 3rd party cell phone fees
Today the Associated Press reports that AT&T has settled a nationwide class action suit over 3rd party cell phone charges. Read more.
Mobile providers, Can you hear us now? Disputing charges Sprint added to its broadband card users' bills.
BusinessWeek, May 20, 2008 - Angry consumers are filing lawsuits against wireless companies, reflecting a wave of discontent with new, mostly Web-focused, services. Read more.
Cramming Requirement Revisions in California
The CPUC is considering revising the rules regarding reporting of unauthorized charges for telecommunications services. Learn about the proposed changes as well as UCAN's position and legal filings on the issue.
Sprint Nextel illegally billing taxes, fees, and text message charges on data broadband services plans
UCAN has filed a federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans. You can read the complaint here.
Ethiopian AT&T Wireless Roaming Overcharges and Cramming
AT&T's practice of enabling international roaming without customer notification violates the CA Public Utilities Code, which is intended to protect consumers from "cramming" of unauthorized charges. AT&T customers are also being charged for calls that were never placed. UCAN asserts that these customers never sought nor authorized international roaming as a service provided in connection with their cellular phone service.
Ringtone and text message rip-offs
Of all the new features and capabilities of today's cell phones, UCAN receives the most complaints about ringtones and text messages. Our issue center contains all sorts of valuable information from consumer guides and updates to lawsuits and settlements against major cell phone providers. Come inside and see for yourself!
Cingular Customer Service Case 2002-2007
UCAN established that Cingular Wireless engaged in illegal marketing and customer service practices from 2000-2002 and filed a suit in July 2002. The case dragged on for years, but in was worth the wait. In 2006, a CA Court of Appeals judge ruled against Cingular and upheld a CPUC decision to hit Cingular with a large fine for its unconscionable actions. Get all the details inside our issue center.
Wireless
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