Comcast Fined Millions After Probe Into Whether Customers Were Charged For Services They Didn't Want

Comcast has been fined $2,3 million by the Federal Communications Commission to settle an investigation into whether the company charged customers for services and equipment they didn't want. It's the largest civil penalty imposed on a cable operator by he FCC.

In addition to paying the fine - as part of a consent decree - Comcast will implement a five-year-compliance plan to make sure customers are aware of all charges.

"I asked the FCC to act after hearing from Oregon consumers who were charged cable and internet fees that they never personally authorized.," said Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, who requested the investigation.

"Oregonians shared their stories about modem rental fees continuing even after they returned the rented equipment to Comcast, or were being charged a rental fee having never even rented a modem in the first place.”

As part of the consent decree, Comcast agrees to take several steps including: sending customers an order confirmation separate from their regular bill; clearly and conspicuously describing newly added products and their associated charges; and offer customers at no cost the ability to block the addition of new services or equipment to their accounts.

In a statement, Comcast said they have been working to fix problems and that they have never intentionally mischarged its millions of customers.

"We have been working very hard on improving the experience of our customers in all respects and are laser-focused on this," the company said. "We acknowledge that, in the past, our customer service should have been better and our bills clearer, and that customers have at times been unnecessarily frustrated or confused."