AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular Wireless) and the California Att...

AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular Wireless) and the California Attorney General’s Office settled a state lawsuit against AT&T accusing the company of violating state consumer laws by holding customers responsible for charges on unauthorized calls placed from lost and stolen cellphones. If the agreement is approved in court, AT&T will pay a $500,000 fine and restitution to AT&T/Cingular customers forced to pay for fraudulent calls since 2003. AT&T also must delete from its wireless contracts the language that held customers liable for unauthorized calls. The carrier didn’t admit wrongdoing. AT&T must immediately halt collection of disputed unauthorized charges, inform complaining customers of their legal rights and complete its investigation within 30 days.