Telecom & Internet

What is a telecom or internet dispute?

Telecom and internet disputes involve billing errors, unauthorized charges, contract violations, or service failures by phone, internet, or cable providers. The FCC and state Public Utilities Commissions provide formal complaint processes for consumers.

Common telecom disputes

• Unauthorized charges (cramming) — charges for services never requested
• Early termination fees — disputing ETF charges when company failed to deliver service
• Internet speed disputes — service not delivering advertised speeds
• Billing errors — incorrect plan charges, double billing, wrong rate
• Robocall and spam — unwanted calls violating the TCPA
• Porting issues — refusal to transfer your phone number

Where to file a telecom complaint

The FCC handles complaints against phone and internet providers. The FTC handles fraud and deceptive practices. Your state PUC handles local service disputes. The CFPB handles financial aspects of telecom billing.

Steps to dispute a telecom charge

1. Contact your provider and request an itemized bill
2. Document all contacts and reference numbers
3. Send a formal written dispute via certified mail
4. File a complaint with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
5. Consider small claims court for amounts under $10,000