Bell will have to issue up to $11.82 million CAD in rebates to current and former customers. The ruling is in relation to the carrier charging premium texting fees that were hidden in third-party advertisements without customer approval. This all began back in 2012 when the Canadian Competition Bureau began an investigation into many of the big carriers, including Bell, Rogers, and Telus.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bell must:
- Issue up to $11.82 million in rebates to current and former customers;
- Donate an estimated $800,000 to support digital media research and awareness;
- Publish a notice to affected customers;
- Enhance their corporate compliance program; and
- Develop a consumer awareness campaign to educate consumers about how charges can be incurred on wireless devices and how to avoid unwanted charges.
Customers who were charged premium texting fees between January 1, 2011, and August 31, 2013 will be eligible for the rebates. Bell will be providing the rebate in the form of a credit on the wireless account for current customers, and former customers will be notified to claim their rebates. This will happen by July 25, 2016.
