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Cell Phone Early Termination Fees
Lawyers are investigating Early Termination Fees which were unfairly charged when service was cancelled within 30 days from when it was started, and when early termination fees were charged despite several complaints to your carrier about inadequate service and dropped calls.
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Cell Phone Early Termination Fees: Personal Stories and Interviews
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Cell Phone Early Termination Fees "Ridiculous"
Gloria M. would like cell phone companies like Sprint to change their policies regarding early termination fees. She knew an early termination fee would be charged if she canceled her contract, but the amount charged for a termination fee was high and Gloria says Sprint took that money out of her account without her authorization. [ MORE: TERMINATION FEES RIDICULOUS]
Cell Phone Termination Fees: “You Want To Pull Your Hair Out”
Douglas M. says that he has finally resolved his complaints with Sprint, but it took a long time, many phone calls and two complaints to the Better Business Bureau before his early termination fees were dropped. He had been with Sprint for many years when his problems started in 2005 and says that he never actually authorized a new plan with his cell phone provider. [ MORE: CELL TERMINATION FEES]
Cell Phone Termination Fees: “A Lot of Money”
 Karen C. (not her real name) says she did everything that Sprint customer service representatives told her to do. She says she was even told that when she moved, she would not be charged an early termination fee. However, she was charged a fee of $1,000, and she says every time she phones Sprint, she speaks to a new customer service representative, who gives her different answers to her questions. [ MORE: CELL TERMINATION FEES TOO HIGH]
Cell Phone Termination Fees: “Don’t Give Them the Money”
 Like many other cell phone customers, Charles G. thought his contract had expired and become month-to-month when he decided to cancel his service. He had his two year contract with Sprint for three and a half years and had not made any changes to either his phone or his plan. So, he naturally assumed that he could now cancel his contract at any time without paying cell phone early termination fees. [ MORE: DON'T PAY CELL TERMINATION FEES]
Early Termination Fees: Contracts Inadvertently Extended
Despite company promises about prorating cell phone early termination fees, many consumers still report that they are being charged outrageous fees for canceling contracts that they thought had already expired. [ MORE: CELL PHONE CONTRACTS EXTENDED]
Consumer groups testify before a House Subcommittee
 Consumer groups testified in July before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet to speak out against the industry's most abusive practices - "excessive early termination fees, hobbling mobile phone features, and locking out competitive applications." [ MORE: UNFAIR TERMINATION FEES]
Sprint PCS Cell Phone Services
 This new contract, which the writer claims was never agreed to, is $35 for 300 any-time minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. It also comes with an early termination fee of $200.00. The customer says he has never agreed to a new contract with Sprint. "I have been using Sprint PCS for three or more years," he writes. "And the initial contract has expired a long time ago and I do not intend to have any contract to get myself trapped." [ MORE: SPRINT CONTRACT TERMINATION]
Cell Phone Termination Fees - New Legislation Proposed
When Jon Ross signed a contract for his cell phones in the spring of 2006, he didn't know that, in less than three months, he would have to pay $400 in early termination fees to cancel his contract, even though it was canceled because of poor cell phone service. [ MORE: LEGISLATION FOR TERMINATION FEES]
Cell Phone Termination Fees Outrageous
"It's exasperating, being on a business call for 45 seconds and realizing that you have no service," Ric says. "And I was in my home. I wasn't roaming, I wasn't wandering around. It's really exasperating." [ MORE: KUGEL SURGERY GONE WRONG]
Cingular cell phones out of home range
After moving from one Atlanta suburb to another, Frank discovered a 'dead spot' in his home. This supposed dead spot occurred even though a map showed that the home was within Cingular coverage area. [ MORE: CINGULAR TERMINATION FEES]
Getting less than you pay for with Verizon Wireless
 "I've probably spent at least forty hours on the phone with customer service trying to fix mistakes they've made but I've been charged for," he complains. "And I'm still being ripped off. I guess I have to see my contract out or pay the early termination fee for me and my wife to get out of it." [ MORE: KUGEL MESH HEALTH COMPROMISE]
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Information on Cell Phone Termination Fees
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Lawyers are investigating Early Termination Fees which were unfairly charged in either of the following two circumstances:
 - Where service was cancelled within 30 days from when it was started.
- Where early termination fees were charged despite several complaints to your carrier about inadequate service and dropped calls.
If you (1) either complained about the quality of wireless service but got no satisfaction, or cancelled the service within 30 days from its start, (2)
were charged an early termination fee, whether or not you actually paid it,
and (3) are ready to do something about it, please fill out the form below.
Wireless telephone carriers have charged early termination penalties despite their failure to supply adequate telephone service. The practice of charging these unfair fees to customers who terminate their unsatisfactory wireless phone service is designed to lock customers into staying with companies that cannot provide satisfactory service.
The Law Offices of Barry Kramer are seeking plaintiffs (especially in California) to actively pursue major wireless telephone providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile, Nextel, U.S. Cellular, Alltel, and Qwest, who may have unfairly charged early termination fees even when they failed to provide adequate telephone service.
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Read More About Cell Phone Termination Fees
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Cell Phone Companies Under Fire for Early Termination Fees
 With a major lawsuit filed against AT&T and lawmakers questioning the tactics of cell phone companies, some cell phone carriers are now moving to change their practices, including early termination fees. However, the move comes too late for many customers and not enough cell phone carriers are following suit, meaning that scores of customers are still responsible for paying ridiculously high early termination fees. [ MORE: EARLY TERMINATION FEES]
Customers and Lawmakers Frustrated by Early Termination Fees
 According to an article in the Baltimore Sun, cited in the Daily Titan, 47 per cent of cell phone customers would consider switching phone companies except for termination fees. Furthermore, the most common reason people want to cancel their contracts is poor reception. [ MORE: FRUSTRATING TERMINATION FEES]
AT&T in Hot Water Over Early Termination Fees
 The problem is that the iPhone can only be used on the AT&T network and will not be available for other networks until at least 2012. This means that customers who are unhappy with AT&T's service and leave the company will no longer be able to use their iPhone, for which they paid up to $600 dollars. [ MORE: AT&T TERMINATION & iPHONE]
Cell Phones to Hell Phones
 Cellular phones aren't loved by everyone, such as supporters of the American Association of Retired People - a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that protects the interests of senior citizens. Consumers are enraged at cell phone companies that charge excessive termination fees and they are frustrated when they try to cancel contracts because a cell phone company fails to provide proper service. [ MORE: CELL PHONE USERS ENRAGED]
States Begin Taking Action on Cell Phone Termination Fees
Under the new bill, customers could cancel their cell phone service if the cell phone carrier is in violation of its contract. This includes equipment failures and falsely representing areas of coverage. Although cell phone companies claim customers can legally end their contracts if cell phone carriers violate their contracts, in reality it is very difficult to get cell phone companies to listen to angry consumers. [ MORE: CELL PHONE TERMINATION FEE BILL]
Cell Phone Termination Fees Hold Customers Hostage
If you've ever felt locked in to your cell phone contract because of ridiculous termination fees, you're not alone. Many people are complaining about the cost of canceling their cell phone contracts even when they are suffering through poor service, dropped calls, and errors on their bills. [ MORE: TERMINATION FEES RESTRICTING]
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Cell Phone Termination Fee Press Releases
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 APR-09-08: They might be just starting to get with the program, but by and large cell phone companies have a long way to go before cell phone consumers will feel vindicated after endless complaints surrounding early termination fees, hidden charges and other fees that are widely considered unfair, and unjust. [ MORE: CELL PHONE MONSTER]
NOV-27-07: As even more lawmakers join in the fight against unfair cell phone company practices, more companies are announcing that they will begin prorating their early termination fees in the near future. [ MORE: CELL PHONE LAWMAKERS]
 OCT-04-07: Verizon has announced that it is ending the practice of extending customer contracts when customers make changes to their cell phone plans, which will affect how early termination fees are charged. The practice will end on Sunday, October 7, 2007. After that date customers will have the ability to change their voice and data calling plans without the company adding an extra two years onto their contracts. [ MORE: VERIZON TERMINATION FEES]
 JUL-12-07: In making the announcement, Sen. Amy Klouchar (D-Minn), as quoted online at RCR Wireless News, said "Early termination fees are a family budget-buster; families should be able to terminate service without outrageous fees...It's a simple matter of fairness." [ MORE: CELL PHONE BILLS]
 AUG-03-07: Early termination fees on cell phone contracts are understandable in some situations, but when cell phone carriers charge the fee even when they are the cause of problems, consumers should fight back. Some consumers have started fighting back against companies such as Cingular (now AT&T) for what they say is false and misleading advertising. [ MORE: CELL PHONE LAWSUIT PROCEEDS]
 APR-09-07: Consumer and public interest groups are becomingly increasingly frustrated with the outrageous practices that cell phone companies are able to get away with; practices such as early cell phone termination fees, double billing, poor service, and high late fees. [ MORE: T-MOBILE LAWSUIT]
 JUN-10-07: The California State Senate will vote on legislation designed to protect cell phone users in California from early cell phone termination fees and other fraudulent cell phone industry practices. California is one of a number of states that are starting to take action against cell phone companies and their abusive practices. [ MORE: TERMINATION FEES OPPOSED]
 MAR-12-07: Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a four-bill consumer protection package designed to protect cell phone users from companies that lock their customers into long contracts with many fees. [ MORE: NEW JERSEY CELL PHONE FEES]
 NOV-19-06: T-Mobile USA, one of the largest cell phone companies in the United States, is facing a lawsuit over the company's early contract-termination fees. [ MORE: T-MOBILE - TERMINATION FEES]
AUG-03-06: The lawsuit alleges that the early termination fees charged to consumers by communications companies, including Verizon Wireless, Sprint and Nextel, are unlawful. This is encouraging news for consumer protection groups in New York who have been lobbying hard against unfair cell phone provider service. [ MORE: CELL PHONE LAWSUIT]
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Cell Phone Termination Fees in the News:
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JAN-04-08: A family is being forced to pay for the cell phone of a person who died. The company said that his contract was not up and the family had to either pay the early termination fee or keep the phone activated. [ WCVB: CELL PHONE TERMINATION FEE]
DEC-19-07: In the past three years, the Better Business Bureau received more complaints about cell phone companies than any other industry. Some companies are responding to complaints by pro-rating their early termination fees. [ MSNBC: EARLY TERMINATION FEE]
DEC-13-07: Consumers Union says that Verizon's pro-rated early termination fee is not real prorating. It argues that a discount off a ridiculous fee is still not a good deal for consumers. [ WGAL: CELL PHONE TERMINATION FEE]
OCT-15-07: T-Mobile customers have launched a class action lawsuit to prevent the cellular provider from charging early termination fees and from locking cell phones. [ INFORMATION WEEK: EARLY TERMINATION FEES]
SEP-06-07: Two senators plan to introduce a bill to improve service for cell phone customers. The bill would require cell phone carriers to prorate early termination fees. [ POST: TERMINATION FEE]
AUG-30-07: While many early termination fees run between $175 and $250 per phone line, some can run as high as $400 per line. Even for customers who move out of a service area, there is no guarantee that the cell phone carrier will waive the termination fee. [ CONSUMER AFFAIRS: EARLY TERMINATION FEE]
AUG-28-07: A man was charged $350 in early termination fees because he changed his cell phone plan by adding a third phone. That action extended his contract through June 2008 without his knowledge. [ WSOC: CELL PHONE TERMINATION FEE]
AUG-23-07: Cell phone carriers use a number of methods to keep their customers on a short leash, including early termination fees, subsidized phones and locked phones. [ INDYSTAR: EARLY TERMINATION FEE]
AUG-19-07: Many consumers are hit with early termination fees even though they think their contracts are over. Some companies extend cell phone contracts when customers make minor changes to their agreements. [ KNBC: EARLY TERMINATION FEE]
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Cell Phone Early Termination Fees Legal Help
If you (1) were unfairly charged an early termination fee, (2) actually paid the fee, (3) complained about the quality of service but got no satisfaction, and (4) are ready to do something about it, please click the link below to submit your complaint to a lawyer. California residents are especially invited to respond.
Posted on Sep-22-05
Updated on May-7-08
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