OTTAWA – Bell Canada has reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit claiming that some of its wireless and home phone customers in Ontario were overbilled.
The settlement covers those customers in Ontario who were charged late fates after paying their Bell bills through their bank or by cheque between March 26, 2008 and Aug. 9, 2009. While denying any fault or obligation, Bell agreed to credit those customers 100% of the outstanding amount.
In the case of payments by people who are no longer Bell customers or who cannot be identified, Bell spokesperson Julie Smithers told Cartt.ca on Monday that the company will donate an equivalent amount to Kids Help Phone, the Red Cross, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Smithers said that "only a small percentage of Ontario customers" were impacted by the suit, which was filed last April. An Ontario Superior Court says it will hear a motion to approve the settlement on October 28.
– Lesley Hunter
