A worker assembles a Bell Canada billboardKevin Van Paassen
Bell Canada has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that claimed the phone company overbilled some of its wireless and home phone customers in Ontario, according to the law firm that handled the case for the plaintiffs.
The suit, filed on behalf of Suzanne Brazeau and other Bell customers in Ontario, claimed they were charged late fees for bills they had paid by cheque or through a financial institution before the listed deadline.
The settlement doesn't say how much money was involved or how many people were affected.
In the settlement, Bell denies any fault or obligation but agrees to taking certain actions arising from the suit that was filed last April.
Bell Canada, owned by BCE Inc. , and its wireless service Bell Mobility have changed the way the late fees are calculated and will provide people who are still customers with a credit for the disputed payments.
Alternatively, the companies have agreed disburse equivalent amounts to charitable organizations in the case of payments by people who are no longer customers or who can't be identified.
The settlement covers Bell Mobility customers in Ontario who paid bills through their bank or by cheque between March 26, 2008 and Aug. 9, 2009.
An Ontario Superior Court says it will hear a motion to approve the settlement on Oct. 28.
Bell Mobility customers in Ontario that wish to be part of the settlement aren't required to take any action.