Bell Canada settles Ontario class action lawsuit

No formal admission of fault but Bell agrees to address complaints of customers charged late fees despite paying bills on time through a financial institution.

Ottawa (28 Sept. 2010) - Bell Canada has reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit accusing the company of overbilling some of its wireless and home phone customers in Ontario.

A law firm that handled the case for the plaintiffs disclosed the settlement Monday but did not say how much money was involved or how many customers are affected.

The suit was filed on behalf of Suzanne Brazeau and other Bell customers in Ontario who said Bell charged late fees for bills they had paid by cheque or through a financial institution before the listed deadline.

Bell denies any fault or obligation in the settlement but has agreed to take certain actions as a result of the case.

Bell Canada and its wireless service Bell Mobility have changed the way the late fees are calculated and will provide people who are still customers with a credit for the disputed payments.

Alternatively, the companies have agreed to disburse equivalent amounts to charitable organizations in the case of payments by people who are no longer customers or who can't be identified.

The settlement covers Bell Mobility customers in Ontario who paid bills through their bank or by cheque between March 26, 2008 and Aug. 9, 2009. An Ontario Superior Court is scheduled for Oct. 28 to consider a motion to approve the settlement.

Bell Mobility customers in Ontario wishing to be part of the settlement are not required to take any action to participate.

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