Up to 20 million Americans 'overcharged' by AT&T for data usage

Daily Mail 05/20/2011 17:56

AT&T are 'systematically overcharging' up to 20 million Americans who use their iPhone or iPad to access data on the go, an investigation has uncovered. The lawsuit alleges the phone giant routinely over charges customers between 7 and 14 per cent, and in some cases up to 300 per cent.

In tests, engineers said they found the company charged for downloading data and surfing the web even when the iPhones remained untouched.

Speaking to MSNBC, lawyer Barry Davis who worked on the suit, said: 'It's like a rigged gas pump.

'Where when you go to the gas station and ask for a gallon of gas but only get 9/10's.'

When asked by a reporter whether his team found overcharging for every single transaction, he replied: 'yes, every single one.'

The reporter the asked: 'Did you ever find a discrepancy where the customer was undercharged?'

Mr Davis replied: 'Never. Always an overcharge, never an undercharge.'

Over 20 million Americans have iPhones or iPads with AT&T, who until a few months ago were the sole network allowed to sell the phones.