NEWARK – New Jersey consumers who believe they are entitled to restitution under a recent multi-state settlement with Sirius XM Radio Inc., must file their complaints with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by May 3.
The settlement, announced in December 2014, resolves allegations that the satellite radio company violated consumer protection laws through a variety of misleading, unfair, and deceptive business practices. According to consumer complaints, these included failure to honor contract cancellation requests, the automatic renewal of contracts without consumers' consent, and the charging of unauthorized fees, among other things. Sirius has agreed to pay a total of $3.8 million to the participating states, including $114,982 to New Jersey, and to provide restitution to eligible customers.
"Today we are issuing an important reminder to New Jersey consumers: If you believe you were affected by Sirius Radio's alleged unfair practices, and have not yet filed a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs, you should contact the Division as soon as possible. The deadline for those seeking restitution is May 3rd," Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.
Affected consumers can contact the Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 800-242-5846 (toll-free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200. Consumers also can file complaints electronically through the Division's newly redesigned website.
The multi-state Executive Committee that conducted the Sirius investigation consisted of lead state Ohio, as well as Arizona, Connecticut, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington, D.C. States participating in the settlement along with New Jersey include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Koziar, assigned to the Division of Law's Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section, represented the State of New Jersey in this matter.
Division of Consumer Affairs Investigator Aziza Salikhov conducted this investigation on behalf of the State.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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