SiriusXM settles with states to pay eligible consumers restitution

Settlement resolves claims company engaged in misleading advertising, billing practices

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s attorney general joins 45 other attorneys general who have agreed to a settlement with SiriusXM Radio that will provide restitution to eligible consumers, according to a release.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced that SiriusXM Radio Inc. of New York has agreed to a settlement to resolve claims that the satellite radio company engaged in misleading advertising and billing practices.

Sirius will also pay the states a total of $3.8 million, and Wisconsin will get $72,801.28 of that payment, officials said.

Consumers who have not previously filed a complaint may be eligible for restitution if they file a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection of Sirius by May 3, according to the release.

Officials said the investigation into SiriusXM focused on complaints about difficulty canceling contracts, cancellation requests that were not honored, misrepresentations that the consumer’s SiriusXM service would be canceled and not renewed, contracts that were automatically renewed without consumers’ notice or consent, unauthorized fees, higher unanticipated rates after a low introductory rate and failure to provide timely refunds.

“Eligible consumers who have previously filed a complaint related to these businesses practices will need to re-submit their complaint,” Van Hollen said. “Those who are eligible should do so to ensure they see some relief as a result of this matter having been resolved. My office will continue to work toward ensuring that Wisconsin consumers are not misled about products and services being marketed to them.”

The settlement require SiriusXM to make changes, including clearly disclosing all terms and conditions at the point of sale, not making misrepresentations in advertising, revising the cancellation procedures and providing advance notice about upcoming automatic renewals, according to the release.

The settlement also requires SiriusXM to provide restitution to eligible consumers who have made complaints about the problems, officials said. To be considered for restitution under the settlement, consumers must file a complaint concerning conduct by SiriusXM from July 28, 2008, to Dec. 4, 2014, that has already been resolved.

According to the release, previously submitted complaints, either to SiriusXM or DATCP, will be considered for restitution only if the complaint is resubmitted to SiriusXM with a statement that the complaint remains unresolved.