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Comcast ordered to refund thousands of Mass. customers

BOSTON — Comcast has been ordered to pay refunds and canceled debts to more than 20,000 Massachusetts customers, according to attorney general Maura Healey.

Healey filed an 'assurance of discontinuance' in Suffolk Superior Court, which settles allegations that Comcast failed to adequately disclose the actual monthly price and terms of contracts for cable services.

The AG's office says the company failed to disclose to consumers that the company could increase the price of monthly fees at any time during some long-term contract.

“Comcast stuck too many Massachusetts customers with lengthy, expensive contracts that left many in debt and others with damaged credit,” said AG Healey. “Customers have a right to clear information about the products and services they buy. This settlement should encourage the entire cable and telecommunications industry to take a close look at their advertisements and make sure customers are getting a fair offer.”

The investigation led by Healey's office revealed a series of advertisements, in which Comcast advertised a $99 rate but did not not disclose the costs of equipment and monthly fees associated with the contract.

Comcast has been ordered to refund customers who paid early termination fees after downgrading their service or being disconnected between January 2015 and March 2016.

"The settlement also requires Comcast to change its practices to improve disclosures provided to consumers before they enter long-term contracts. Comcast must disclose the existence of additional fees in all advertisements, and train sales representatives to disclose true monthly service prices to customers before they enter long-term contracts," the AG's release reads.