McGraw
CHARLESTON -- West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw was among a group of AGs who recently reached a $5.9 million with satellite TV provider DISH Network.
The settlement comes after allegations the company engaged in unfair and deceptive sales practices, including charging customer bank accounts and credit cards without proper authorization.
As a result of the settlement, each of the 46 states involved will receive over $100,000 to cover legal fees, as well as, set up programs designed to curb future deceptive marketing practices.
"I appreciate DISH Network's full cooperation in this agreement," Tennessee AG Bob Cooper, who led the effort, said. "I am pleased that my office was able to lead the negotiations of this settlement, which will help consumers understand exactly what they are getting and what the cost is when they sign up for service from DISH Network."
The settlement resolves allegations, DISH Network charged credit cards without consent, made telemarketing calls in violation of do-not-call rules, failed to disclose terms and conditions of customer agreements, did not disclose leased or purchased equipment was used and made references to phony competitor prices when the prices could not be proved.
The three year investigation was led by the Tennessee Attorney General Consumer fraud division.
In addition to West Virginia and Tennessee, the AGs of the following states participated in the settlement: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.