On October 9, 2012, the San Mateo Superior Court gave final approval to a class action settlement between California consumers and AT&T Wireless and Cingular arising out of allegedly unfair business practices. The complaint alleged that in early 2003 these wireless phone providers were deceptively charging a regulatory fee for a service known as a Local Number Portability (“LNP”) that was not yet available. LNP allows customers to keep their telephone number when they switch telephone providers. The Court approved the settlement funds being distributed to specific charities, legal aid societies and non-profit organizations throughout California after payment of attorneys’ fees and costs. “We are very pleased that the Court has approved this settlement, which will provide much needed funds to charities and other nonprofit organizations,” said Nancy Fineman, the lead attorney on the case.
