Maine Lawmaker Alleges Internet Provider Violated State Law
South Portland Representative Chris Kessler has raised concerns about his internet service provider, Spectrum, claiming that the company violated Maine law by charging him for the entire month of August after he canceled his service. Kessler is now urging other residents to check their bills and take action if they believe they’ve been overcharged.
Kessler canceled his Spectrum Internet service on August 6th. According to Maine law, consumers should only be charged for the days they used the service if they cancel at the beginning of the month. However, Kessler claims he was still billed for the full month. This led to a dispute with Spectrum’s customer service, where he was initially told that the charge was correct.
“I just cancelled my service and was billed $80 for the entire month of August,” Kessler said in a recorded chat with a Spectrum representative. “Service stopped yesterday. My bill should be pro-rata charges, not for the entire month.”
The Spectrum representative responded by stating that the company operates as a monthly subscription service. They explained that even if a customer cancels a day after the billing cycle begins, they are still charged for the full month. Kessler, however, pointed out that this contradicts Maine law.
“No it does not,” Kessler replied. “It is against Maine law to charge for the entire month and you are supposed to only charge for the days of service used. As a matter of fact, I am one of the lawmakers that worked on the law.”
Kessler emphasized that the law, LD 1932, was passed to prevent such situations. He expressed frustration that a major provider like Spectrum would continue to violate the law. “I can’t believe the company is still doing this to people,” he said. “Actually, I can believe it.”
After further discussion, Kessler was eventually credited the money he was owed. The Spectrum representative noted that it might take up to two days for the online balance to update. “I do see that the account was credited $68.55,” the representative said. “Please know it will take up to 48 hours from when the cancellation order was placed for the online balance to update. Please know the credit will reflect on the final bill that will be cycled on 09/01. I see that this last bill will be $11.45.”
When asked for a response to Kessler’s allegations, a Spectrum spokesperson stated that the company follows Maine law LD 1932. They added that the proration process is automated to reduce errors when processing account changes.
Kessler is now encouraging other Maine residents to review their bills carefully. If they believe they have been overcharged, he advises them to contact the Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. “If there are enough of those happening, then the Maine Attorney General’s office can help collect,” he said.
Steps to Take if You Believe You’ve Been Overcharged
- Review Your Bill:Check for any unexpected charges or fees.
- Contact Your Provider:Reach out to your service provider to clarify the charges.
- Document Everything:Keep records of all communications, including chat transcripts and emails.
- File a Complaint:If the issue isn’t resolved, file a complaint with the Maine Attorney General’s office.
- Stay Informed:Follow updates from local news sources to stay aware of similar issues in your area.
Kessler’s experience highlights the importance of consumer awareness and the need for continued vigilance in protecting consumer rights. His call to action serves as a reminder that individuals can make a difference by standing up for their legal protections.
