AUGUSTA – Maine State Representative Chris Kessler is urging all Mainers who have canceled their Spectrum internet service in the past year to carefully review their final bill to make sure they are charged only for the days of actual service provided in their last month of billing.
Last year, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1932, a consumer protection law prohibiting Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from charging customers for the full month when service ends partway through. Despite the law being in effect for a year, a troubling recent event has led Kessler to sound the alarm to consumers to double-check their bills.
Earlier this month, Rep. Kessler canceled his Spectrum Internet at the start of his billing cycle, only to be charged for the full month. When he informed the customer service representative that Maine law forbids such charges, the Spectrum representative insisted the billing was correct. It was only after Kessler pressed the issue that Spectrum reduced the bill to reflect the actual days of service used.
“If this can happen to a legislator who literally helped pass the law, imagine how many customers might have unknowingly overpaid over the past year,” Kessler said. “It is important that consumers protect themselves and make sure Spectrum is following the law.”
How to Protect Yourself After Canceling Your Internet Service:
Check the dates — Make sure you were only charged for the days you actually had service.
Know your rights — Under Maine’s LD 1932, full-month charges for partial service periods are illegal.
Push back — If a customer service representative tells you otherwise, insist on a correction. If you are owed a refund and they refuse, remind them of the law.
Document everything — Keep notes of names, dates, and what was said.
“We passed LD 1932 to make sure consumers are only paying for the services they actually receive,” said Kessler. “Mainers need to know their rights — and companies need to follow the law.”
For assistance or to report possible violations, contact The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division office at (207) 626-8849, or on the web at https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/.
Contact:
Meagan Sway (Kessler) | 917-913-7369