DISH customers can now claim settlement benefits through live website

Approximately $3 million available to be claimed by consumers

As announced April 15, 2014, after receiving consumer complaints, the Attorney General’s Office began an investigation that led to resolution of alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Act by DISH Network.

DISH agreed to:

1. Refund approximately $2 million to Washington state consumers;
2. Provide additional benefits to consumers that could total up to $3 million; and,
3. Pay the AGO $569,500 for costs and fees. 

DISH developed a website that is now live where consumers can submit claims forms for additional benefits that could total up to $3 million. Consumers who don’t have access to the Internet and commercial customers should call 1-866-940-8680 to make a claim. The claim must be submitted by August 17, 2014.

The AGO alleged that DISH began charging its Washington state customers an unlawful monthly line-item surcharge in May of 2012, collecting more than $2 million in surcharges.

Hundreds of thousands of Washington consumers were illegally charged one dollar per month for up to eight months.

Headquartered in Colorado, DISH sells and distributes digital entertainment programming via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers in all 50 states, including Washington. From May through December of 2012, DISH charged its Washington customers a “WA State Surcharge” or “WA Surcharge” ranging from $1.00 to $1.09—stopping only after the AGO began an investigation.

The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions.