Learn your options to get your voice heard and make AT&T Wireless pay
Do you have a problem with AT&T Wireless’s service and want to file a claim against AT&T? You are not alone. Maybe they overcharged you, or their sales staff misled you, or maybe their service just wasn’t what you expected.
(Is your claim about a cable, internet, or home phone account with AT&T? Start here)
At this point you’ve probably tried calling AT&T Wireless’s customer service. You’ve spent hours on the phone with hold messages, computerized menus, and—if you’re lucky—a few humans. So now you want to know: How do I file a legal claim against AT&T Wireless?
File an insurance phone claim with AT&T wireless (or your insurance provider)
What is it? A lot of people looking to file a claim against AT&T Wireless are looking to make a claim with the insurance covering their broken AT&T Wireless phone. If you purchased your insurance from AT&T Wireless directly, it came from a company called Asurion, and the site to make an AT&T Wireless phone claim with Asurion is here.
Other options for purchasing phone claim insurance include:
SquareTrade (make a phone claim here)
Geek Squad (make a phone claim here; you should know that Geek Squad plans are sold by Best Buy and may say they come from Assurant Solutions)
Apple Care (claim information here)
Samsung Premium Care (call 1-800-SAMSUNG or learn more here)
When to try it: If you have a damaged AT&T Wireless phone that fits within the situations covered by your device insurance.
What you need to do: Go the website of your phone claim insurer (such as Asurion, Apple Care, Samsung, SquareTrade, or Geek Squad) and answer a series of questions about the damage to your AT&T Wireless device.
What to expect: You’ll probably be asked to wait while the insurance company reviews your claim. If your claim is approved, they may offer to repair your AT&T Wireless phone or to pay for a replacement deivce. Follow their instructions carefully to make sure you are able to get this repair or replacement phone paid for.
File a claim against AT&T Wireless in Small Claims Court
What is it? While you’re not allowed to file a claim against AT&T in most courts (it’s there in the fine print of your contract with them), the exception is small claims court, which is an opportunity to bring your claim locally before a judge, up to a certain monetary limit.
When to try it: You have have time and energy on your hands, and you want the chance to make your case against AT&T Wireless in public.
What you need to do: Follow the steps laid out here in FairShake’s Guide to Sue AT&T Wireless in Small Claims Court.
What to expect: If you follow all the steps precisely and have a strong claim against AT&T Wireless, there’s a good chance you’ll get compensation.
File a claim against AT&T Wireless with your Credit Card Provider
What is it? If you paid for a service with your credit card, you may be able to claim against AT&T using that credit card company. Any time you pay for something with a credit card, you and the company you are buying from (like AT&T Wireless) agree to follow a set of rules from the company issuing the credit card. In cases such as fraud, overcharges, or when the product or service is not actually provided, credit card companies have a procedure for you to dispute the charge.
When to try it: If your claim against AT&T Wireless is about a one time charge that was made using a credit card, and when you will be able to provide documented evidence that AT&T Wireless charged you more than they were allowed to, or for a service they didn’t provide.
What you need to do: Most credit card companies will let you do this process entirely online. Log in to your credit card account and look for more information on how to dispute and challenge a charge. Typically you’ll have to identify the charge, describe your claim, and if possible provide evidence to support it.
What to expect: The credit card company may temporarily remove the charge from your bill. They will then likely ask AT&T Wireless for a response. You may also be asked for more information or evidence before they make a final decision.
File an FCC complaint or claim against AT&T Wireless
What is it? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a government agency that regulates much of AT&T Wireless’s business. The FCC provides an informal channel for consumers to submit claims and complaints against AT&T Wireless.
What happens to these claims depends on the internal procedures of the FCC. The FCC also provides a more formal complaint procedure, but there is a monetary charge for this.
When to try it: You’re frustrated with AT&T Wireless and want to make your complaint available to the government and the public. An FCC complaint is not a way to pursue compensation.
What you need to do: File an informal complaint against AT&T Wireless on the FCC’s public website by following the instructions here.
What to expect: Your complaint will be posted online in a public database. It may be used in setting the FCC’s priorities for regulating companies like AT&T Wireless. The company may be asked to respond to it. You will not necessarily receive an individual response.
File a Better Business Bureau complaint against AT&T Wireless
What is it? The Better Business Bureau and its local chapters are private organizations that collect and publish complaints against a wide range of companies. They are mainly funded by affiliate fees from businesses, and usually offer these business an opportunity to respond to consumer complaints.
When to try it: When AT&T Wireless’s BBB page show that it is actively involved in responding to complaints, this could be a way to publish the complaint and have the company respond to you. It might be an easier way to get their attention. Alternatively, if you just want to get your dissatisfaction known, you can publish your complaint online regardless of whether AT&T Wireless is responding.
What you need to do: Go to AT&T Wireless’s BBB profile here and follow the instructions for submitting a complaint.
What to expect: This depends on whether the company actively responds to its BBB complaints. If it does, you may receive a response directly from them, or via the BBB. You may be asked for further documentation or clarification on your complaint. Ultimately, it is up to AT&T Wireless whether they choose to acknowledge and offer compensation for your claim.
File a complaint against AT&T Wireless through Independent Arbitration
What is it? Remember that thing about the small print of your AT&T Wireless contract? Well instead of most courts, what their contract allows you to do is to file a claim that will be argued before an independent individual called an arbitrator.
When you file a claim against AT&T this way, it will cost AT&T Wireless money, so they will often try to settle your claim once you put them on notice that you plan on taking them to arbitration. That’s what FairShake can help with!
When to try it: Any situation in which you believe AT&T Wireless has misled you, violated their contract with you, or violated the law can be pursued through arbitration. Typically claims involve a specific request for how AT&T Wireless can fix the situation, which may include financial compensation. FairShake will help you pursue claims up to $10,000.
What you need to do: Fill out our form below, to start your claim against AT&T. Or, for more information on the steps in pursuing an arbitration claim yourself, click here.
What to expect: For more details about arbitration, click here. Or start your claim below and let us help!
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