Verizon Wireless might unlawfully charge subscribers for "megabyte usage" on subscribers mobile phones, which is a charge for a subscriber simply logging onto certain Verizon Wireless data services.

This is an ongoing investigation and potential class action against Verizon Wireless.

This investigation is based upon complaints by subscribers to Verizon Wireless regarding “megabyte usage” on their mobile phones. According to these customers, Verizon Wireless charges not only for purchases made for music, games, ringtones and other downloaded items, but for simply logging on and browsing these services. To illustrate, if brick-and-mortar businesses were to use the billing practices Verizon Wireless employs, customers would be forced to pay a minimum “cover charge” for simply walking up and down the aisle of their department store, hardware store, or grocery store, and then charged even more if the customer continued to browse the store for more than a few minutes.

For example, because Verizon Wireless charges $2 per megabyte of data transferred, customers are allegedly charged a minimum of $2 to simply log on and browse the items Verizon Wireless offers for sale on its Get It Now service. Consequently, if a customer simply looks at the items on Get It Now, but buys nothing, he or she will still be charged at least $2 for merely looking, and if an item is purchased, another $2 is added to the purchase for “megabyte usage.” Similarly, simply opening the web browser on a Verizon Wireless phone has resulted in a charge of at least $2 -- regardless of actual usage.

If you believe Verizon Wireless has charged you for data usage that you have not used or agreed to pay for, please contact us.