Consumers Union asks government to crack down on 'bill shock'

Consumers Union wrote to lawmakers and the Federal Communications Commission urging them to require wireless companies to alert customers before hitting them with hefty overage fees.

The letter references an article in the January issue of Consumer Reports that highlights how common it is for consumers to get surprise charges on their wireless bills. A September survey by the magazine found one out of five respondents reported receiving an unexpectedly high bill in the past year, half for at least $50. “The FCC needs to take action to ensure consumers are notified when they approach their usage limits. Consumers should consent to overage charges before being penalized,” said Consumers Union policy counsel Parul Desai. The letter also asks lawmakers and the FCC to consider addressing exclusive deals between smartphone makers and wireless firms that limit consumer choice, and also early termination fees that keep customers tied to their wireless firms for extended periods.