Wondering just how you went through your 2GB allowance of data this month when all you did was do some browsing and email? A new lawsuit filed in California federal court says you’re not the only one.
The lawsuit filed by Patrick Hendricks alleges that AT&T has been systematically overcharging iPhone and iPad owners with capped data plans by falsely reporting the amount of data. According to Hendricks’ lawyers, this so-called “phantom data” can inflate the actual amount of incoming data by as much as three hundred percent.
“AT&T’s billing system for iPhone and iPad data transactions is like a rigged gas pump that charges for a full gallon when it pumps only nine-tenths of a gallon into your car’s tank,” the complaint reads.
Additionally, Hendricks claims that AT&T habitually bills for nonexistent data transfers, and cite evidence from a consulting firm that shows that AT&T billed them 2.2MB of incoming data during a ten day period even though the test iPhone had all push notification and location services turned off, no e-mail account configured and no apps running.
The lawsuit attests that a “significant portion” of AT&T’s $1.1 billion of wireless revenue from last quarter came from such overcharging and bogus charges.
Hendricks’ lawyers are seeking class-action status.
Apple was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, AT&T denies the charges: “We have only recently learned of the complaint, but I can tell you that we intend to defend ourselves vigorously. Transparent and accurate billing is a top priority for AT&T.”
