If you live in Washington and purchased products or services described below, you may be eligible for a refund or restitution as part of a settlement.
In many cases, consumers must submit valid claims in order to receive payment. In some situations, payment is sent directly to affected consumers whose contact information is on file with the company or the Attorney General’s Office.
Click on the links below for more information about eligibility and how to submit a claim.
VONAGE
Eligibility: Consumers who filed certain unresolved complaints about Vonage with the Attorney General’s Office since January 2004 are eligible for a refund. Qualifying consumers who file new complaints by March 16, 2010, will also receive refunds. Eligible consumers include those who:
- Attempted to qualify for the money-back guarantee but were prevented from cancelling and getting their money back due to Vonage’s practices.
- Alleged they weren’t informed of any limitations on minutes, coverage areas, international usage or calls to cell phones and therefore accrued costs.
- Attempted to cancel service but continued to be billed.
- Claimed they paid shipping fees and other costs that weren’t disclosed.
- Alleged they weren’t informed they needed high-speed Internet and therefore attempted to cancel.
- Didn’t receive discounted or promotional services or equipment they were offered.
- Qualified for a rebate they didn’t receive.
- Alleged they were charged for services they didn’t order.
Instructions: Complaints can be filed online or consumers may request a form by mail by calling 1-800-551-4636 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.
News Release
CURT WARNER CHEVROLET
Eligiblity: Consumers are eligible if they 1) Received a “Scratch and Win” promotion and presented a winning number to Curt Warner Chevrolet during the company’s April 3-6, 2008, marketing campaign and 2) Didn’t receive $40 worth of gas.
Instructions: Curt Warner Chevrolet will contact eligible consumers by mail and notify them of their right to receive a $40 gas card. Any free gas that a consumer may have already received as part of the original voucher program will be deducted from their refund. Consumers will have at least 60 days to respond to the offer.
News Release
STORESONLINE
Eligibility: Consumers are eligible for restitution if they live in Washington state and purchased products or services from StoresOnline between Jan. 1, 2005 and the settlement date.
Instructions: Those who have filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office will be sent a claim form with instructions on how to request a refund. Consumers who have not filed complaints but believe they are eligible for restitution should fill out the attached claim form and return to the Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Center. The deadline to submit claims was Sept. 21, 2009. If claims exceed $75,000, eligible consumers will receive a prorated refund.
News Release
DISH NETWORK
Eligibility: DISH Network customers who believe they were misled and who complained about automatic deductions for charges.
Instructions: The company will offer some form of restitution to eligible Washington consumers who filed complaints with the Washington Attorney General’s Office between Jan. 1, 2004, and June 23, 2009. Consumers who filed complaints will receive a letter from DISH Network.
Consumers who didn’t file complaints may also be eligible for restitution if they believe they were misled by DISH Network within the past two years (June 23, 2007, to June 23, 2009). They should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office to be considered. Complaints must be filed by Dec. 13, 2009.
Consumers who do not wish to accept the restitution may file a claim with a third-party administrator. DISH Network will notify eligible consumers of their options to do so and provide instructions.
News Release
COUNTRYWIDE
Eligibility: Borrowers who financed their homes with subprime or pay-option adjustable rate mortgages serviced by Countrywide Mortgage are eligible for a loan modification or other relief if these meet these criteria:
Hold a Countrywide-originated mortgage loan, secured by owner-occupied property.
First loan payment was due between 1/21/04 and 12/31/07.
Loan has been foreclosured or was more more than 120 days deliquent on 10/8/08.
Made six or fewer payments over the life of the loan.
Information:AGO Web site with Countrywide Updates
BLUEHIPPO
Eligibility:
Consumers who placed properly completed orders through BlueHippo for merchandise that hasn’t shipped are eligible to receive their choice of 1) a full refund of the total amount paid, including any termination fee, 2) BlueHippo fulfills the order or offers substantially similar merchandise if the original item is no longer available, or 3) BlueHippo store credit of 125 percent of the original purchase price.
Consumers who have met all contractual obligations to receive free merchandise offered with purchase will receive the promised item or a similar replacement. However, the company is not required to ship free items to consumers who failed to make required payments after receiving purchased products.
For more information about the refund program, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays at 1-800-551-4636.
News Release