AT&T Settles Collect Calls Class Action for $45M

Seattle, WA: A $45 million settlement has been agreed, ending a consumer fraud class action lawsuit brought against AT&T over allegations the company made families pay for collect calls placed from Washington State prisons. It is estimated that between 70,000 and 172,000 people could eligible for refund from the settlement fund.

The lawsuit was filed in 2000, and alleged that AT&T and other phone companies failed to disclose exorbitant rates for collect calls from prison. It covers collect calls made between 1996 and 2000 from Department of Corrections facilities, and the refunds include full reimbursement of the call charges, plus $200 per person, the seattletimes reported.

Filed on Friday, February 1, 2013, the settlement ends a 12-year lawsuit that was passed between the state Supreme Court, the state Utilities and Trade Commission and King County Superior Court. It was reached just as the case was set to go to trial to determine damages.

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Published on Feb-4-13