CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT ALLEGES IMPROPER MONTHLY SERVICE CHARGES

In July 2005, Girard Gibbs filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona on behalf of telephone customers nationwide who were unlawfully billed by MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCIP) for monthly service charges even though they were not MCI customers. The complaint alleges that MCI assesses the monthly fees directly or through consumers' local phone bills. It asserts claims against MCI for violations of the federal Communications Act and for unjust enrichment.

This is the second class action complaint Girard Gibbs LLP has filed against MCI. The first resulted in a $90 million settlement in 2001, the largest class action settlement on behalf of consumers in the history of the telecommunications industry. Click here for more details about that suit.

The current complaint alleges that MCI enrolled non-customers and former MCI long-distance subscribers without their knowledge or consent in the "Basic Dial-1 Plan" or another MCI calling plan that carries a monthly service fee. The complaint further alleges that MCI's policy and practice is to reverse, refund, or credit back unauthorized charges only to consumers who threaten to bring legal action, lodge complaints with regulatory authorities, or take other action. According to the complaint, consumers who do not pay the unauthorized charges are turned over to collections agencies.

We are currently gathering evidence from consumers and from MCI for the purpose of filing a motion for an order certifying the class. This motion, if granted, would allow this case may proceed on behalf of everyone who meets the class definition described above. If you have been charged for MCI services that you did not receive, we would like to hear from you. Please call 1-866-981-4800, or fill in the form below to send us an email.