Comcast Hit With $2.3 Million Fine Stemming From Complaints Of Charges For Unauthorized Services

The Federal Communications Commission has slapped a fine of $2.3 million on Comcast Corporation CMCSA following complaints from subscribers on billing for services and equipment that they never ordered.

The regulator indicated that the company would pay the fine to settle an investigation whether Comcast has charged its customers wrongly. FCC pointed out the Communications Act that curbs a cable service provider from charging customers without a request from them. This is termed as a "negative option billing," which burdens customers with the responsibility of selling the dispute to claim refunds.

Enforcement Bureau's Chief, Travis LeBlanc, commented, "We expect all cable and phone companies to take responsibility for the accuracy of their bills and to ensure their customers have authorized any charges."

The regulator got a number of complaints charging the company of billing for unordered services or products like premium channels or digital video recorders or set-top boxes. In certain cases, the company billed customers despite customers declining either its service or equipment upgrade.

As a result, consumers explained their time devotion to remove the unauthorized charges from their bills and get refunds.

According to the FCC, Comcast would adopt procedures meant to get prior consent from customers before providing any services or equipment to its customers.