In April 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Comcast for allegedly falsely advertising its cable television service packages at lower prices than it actually charges. According to the complaint, Comcast represents that new customers who sign one or two year contracts pay “guaranteed” fixed rates without adequately disclosing that customers end up paying more than the advertised price because Comcast increases other fees in the middle of their contract. In addition, the complaint alleges that Comcast misleads consumers into believing that “certain invented fees” (specifically, the Broadcast TV Fee and Regional Sports Fee) are taxes or government charges when they are not and the fees are a way for Comcast to charge customers for channels already promised in the lower advertised package price twice. (Loomis et al v. Comcast Corp. and Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, Case No. 17-cv-2110, N. D. CA.)
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