Senators Press Comcast, Charter on Sneaky Fees, Overbilling Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) continue to pressure Comcast and other large cable providers for their use of misleading fees and promotions. The duo unveiled a study last year highlighting how cable companies were over-billing consumers to the tune of millions of dollars, often for services or hardware the customer never actually ordered. The full survey also took issue with the growing bevy of misleading below the line fees the industry uses to covertly jack up advertised rates.

joint statement by Portman and McCaskill claims the duo continues to press Comcast, Charter and other large pay TV providers to do more to resolve these issues. They also took particular issue with the use of misleading fees like the "Broadcast TV fee," which simply takes a part of the cost of programming and hides it below the line in order to falsely advertise a lower rate. “We found that [Charter/Time Warner, Comcast] grouped those fees alongside taxes and regulatory charges," said the pair in their letter to cable companies. "Such placement is misleading in that it suggests to the subscriber that the government requires the cable or satellite provider to impose these charges. As you are aware, no federal, state or local government levies the Broadcast TV Surcharge or Regional Sports Network Fee, which are charged entirely at the discretion of [Charter/Time Warner or Comcast]." While the inquiry is certainly welcome, there's no indication the cable industry will be willing to back off the use of misleading fees without tough regulatory enforcement. And with Trump's telecom advisors While the inquiry is certainly welcome, there's no indication the cable industry will be willing to back off the use of misleading fees without tough regulatory enforcement. And with Trump's telecom advisors repeatedly stating that defanging and defunding the FCC is a top priority, cable customers hoping for dramatic changes and a fair shake from their cable provider may not want to hold their breath.







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Most recommended from 20 comments

Ostracus

join:2011-09-05

Henderson, KY 15 recommendations Ostracus Member Boundless greed. "Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) continue to pressure Comcast and other large cable providers for their use of misleading fees and promotions. The duo unveiled a study last year highlighting how cable companies were over-billing consumers to the tune of millions of dollars, often for services or hardware the customer never actually ordered. "



In the world we live in that would be considered fraud, and theft. No shame or consequences, just "what can we get away with today"? Joe12345678

join:2003-07-22

Des Plaines, IL 7 recommendations Joe12345678 Member Let us buy the box with no outlet / mirroring / etc fees. Let us buy the box with no outlet / mirroring / etc fees.

WHT

join:2010-03-26

Rosston, TX 5 recommendations WHT Member No Christmas Cards For You Charter: "Take Portman and McCaskill off our Christmas card list. And take them off our campaign contributions list too.:

andyross

MVM

join:2003-05-04

Aurora, IL 4 recommendations andyross MVM Expect it to get worse Just read that Trump has asked for Rupert Murdoch's suggestions on who to run the FCC. Although it's a surprise that one of the senators is a Republican, odds are it will only get worse. The way things are going, they will start advertising that cable and Internet are free, but with a giant asterisk pointing out the various 'fees' you need to pay.