Free Press Action Fund Applauds Congressional Inquiry into Hidden Fees
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Reps. Anna Eshoo, Mike Doyle, Ben Ray Lujan and Jim Matheson sent a letter to several major communications companies, including AT&T and Verizon, that asked them to explain their use of “below-the-line” fees. Customers must pay these fees in addition to the advertised cost of service.
Free Press Action Fund Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:
"Companies pad their profits with these mystery fees simply because they can get away with it. They don't inform new customers about below-the-line charges clearly enough, and surprise existing customers with add-ons well into their contracts, jacking up prices without warning and without reason.
"These hidden and confusing fees can add up to hundreds of dollars a year for people already struggling to afford basic communications services — and they add up to billions of dollars a year in revenues for the companies. Rep. Eshoo and her colleagues are asking all the right questions, and we look forward to hearing the answers."
