Minnesota Attorney General's Office

1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101

(651) 296-3353
(800) 657-3787

M - F 8 am - 5 pm

TTY:(651) 297-7206
TTY:(800) 366-4812

CONSUMER TIPS: CELL PHONE CONTRACTS
From the Office Of Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson

• Be aware that some carriers may unfairly attempt to use even the smallest changes to your wireless service plan — such as adding or decreasing minutes or text messages, a monthly discount applied to your bill, or upgrading your phone — to renew or create a new one to two year contract. Make sure you investigate before making any changes to your wireless service plan.
• When you receive solicitations from your cell phone provider in the mail or via e-mail, be sure to read the fine print. Acceptance of these offers may require an extension of your existing contract or creation of a new contract. Also, when solicited by telephone, verify with the representative whether acceptance of the offer will renew or create a new contract. Get written verification of the changes made to your plan and that there has been no contract extension.
• Keep in mind that when you make changes to your wireless service plan, you may not actually sign a new contract. Rather, the company may try to consider your use of the phone as your binding agreement to the terms set forth in its contract.
• Check your bill every month to ensure that no unusual charges or discounts are being applied to your bill. Furthermore, if the bill shows the contract beginning and end dates, check to make sure that your contract end date has not changed. If something is not right on your bill or if your contract has been extended without your consent, contact your wireless service provider immediately.
• Any time you make changes to your service plan, you should ask your wireless provider for a copy of your contract and any other documents that may govern your agreement with your wireless provider. These documents will often set forth what changes the company believes may effect your contract duration.
• Be sure to investigate what steps you need to take to end or continue your service at the end of the contract. In some cases, the contract may be automatically renewed unless you contact the company to terminate the service

If you believe your contract has been wrongfully extended or a new contract wrongfully created, contact the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office at 651-296-3353 or 1-800-657-3787 or at www.ag.state.mn.us for help.