Bell (TSX:BCE) will have to pay customers back $11.82 million as the result of a Competition Bureau investigation into unwanted “premium” text messaging charges.
It’s the highest dollar amount ever levied by the Competition Bureau for consumer rebates, following a similar ruling in December 2015 that forced Telus (TSX:T) to repay $7.3 million to customers and a $5.42 million ruling against Rogers (TSX:RCI.B) in March 2015.
In 2012, the Competition Bureau began its investigation into complaints that Telus, Bell and Rogers had helped third-party companies charge customers for premium services without customers’ knowledge. The premium services included trivia questions and ringtones. While consumers had been led to believe the services were free, charges for the services subsequently appeared on customers’ bills, the Competition Bureau alleged.
As part of the agreements with all three telecom companies, the Competition Bureau has agreed to drop legal proceedings against the companies.
@BIVnews
