Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich says his office has secured a nearly $11 million Consent Judgment with CenturyLink to resolve allegations that the company engaged in deceptive and unfair advertising and billing practices.
Brnovich said in a written news release CenturyLink is accused of, among other things, failing to disclose fees and ultimately charging Arizona consumers more than the prices it promised in advertisements and sales pitches. The Consent Judgment is subject to court approval.
CenturyLink sells local and long distance telephone services, internet services, and TV services to Arizona consumers. Brnovich says CenturyLink offered consumers various “Closer Discounts” as an incentive to sign up for service, but frequently failed to apply discounts to consumers’ accounts. He says between 2013 and 2016, CenturyLink promised Arizona consumers approximately $1.9 million in "Closer Discounts" that consumers never received.
Under the terms of the Consent Judgment, CenturyLink will be required to refund $1.9 million directly to Arizona consumers who did not receive a promised “Closer Discount.” Impacted customers will receive the refund on their account. CenturyLink will contact customers who no longer have active accounts to ensure compensation.
Consumers with questions about the refund should contact CenturyLink.
Additionally, CenturyLink will invest an additional $2 million in improvements to fiber-optic infrastructure in areas that the Attorney General's Office determines are in need.
