Verizon Wireless to pay out millions

Verizon, based in Basking Ridge, N.J., said it would apply credits to current customers and mail refund checks to former customers this month and next for "mistaken past data charges" because "we always want to do the right thing for our customers."

"In most cases, these credits are in the $2 to $6 range; some will receive larger credits or refunds," Verizon said in a statement on its Web site.

"As we reviewed customer accounts, we discovered that over the past several years approximately 15 million customers who did not have data plans were billed for data sessions on their phones that they did not initiate.

"The majority of the data sessions involved minor data exchanges caused by software built into their phones; others involved accessing the web, which should not have incurred charges. We have addressed these issues to avoid unintended data charges in the future."

The company didn't say exactly how much the reimbursements would total but $2-$6 per customer would mean a range of $30 million to $90 million.

The New York Times reported the announcement coincides with discussions the company has held with the Federal Communications Commission about complaints of unauthorized charges.

The FCC likely will push Verizon to pay a penalty for not notifying customers of the three-year problem, people close to the talks told the Times.

Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).