Consumer Alert

Settlement with Dish Network Includes Restitution for Alaska Consumers

Alaska and 45 other states entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Dish Network, LLC. The settlement resolves the states' allegations including that DISH Network:

Failed to disclose all terms and conditions of their customer agreements, including limitations on the availability of programming and use of satellite receivers, and limitations on the availability of rebates, credits and free offers;
Refused to accept responsibility for the misconduct of its third-party retailers and installers;
Made telemarketing calls to consumers in violation of do-not-call rules;
Did not disclose that purchased or leased equipment was previously used and/or refurbished;
Made reference to competitors' price offers when the goods or services being compared were materially different; and
Charged customer credit cards and debited bank accounts without providing adequate notice and obtaining appropriate authorization.

As part of the settlement, Dish Network customers in Alaska may be eligible for restitution. Unresolved complaints sent to Dish Network or the Alaska Attorney General's office since January 1, 2004 are eligible for the restitution program. Dish Network will notify consumers that they are eligible for the restitution program by sending a claims notice to those consumers. Additionally, consumers in Alaska can file a complaint with Dish Network, the Alaska Attorney General's Office, or the Better Business Bureau by December 14, 2009 to be considered for the restitution program as long as the complaint is about activity that took place within the last 2 years. Consumers who are not satisfied with the company's offer of restitution may choose to file a claim to be decided by a third-party claims administrator.

Questions or complaints regarding the refund process can be addressed to: DISH Network, L.L.C., Dispute Resolution Team, P.O. Box 9040, Littleton, CO 80120 or by e-mail at CEO@dishnetwork.com.

Consumers can also contact the Alaska Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Unit at 269-5200, or outside of Anchorage, 1-888-576-2529, or by sending an email to consumerprotection@alaska.gov.

Consumer Protection Unit
July 2009