1 million of mostly elderly customers by £7 a month, but no compensation was offered to them for being overcharged in the past. Accordingly, earlier this year, the founder of consumer group Collective Action on Landlines (Call), Justin Le Patourel, launched a £600 million class action against the company to demand justice for millions of loyal customers of BT.
The group’s efforts were proven to be worthwhile, as the competition appeal tribunal (CAT) unanimously held that consumer group’s claim showed sufficient merit to be pursued. “We conclude that there is a real prospect of success for this claim,” the three-member tribunal said in its ruling.
According to Le Patourel, the company owes compensation to millions of customers, typically from older and low-income households, who were being overcharged for the services they receive between October 2015 and April 2018. “We believe that BT has been overcharging millions of its most loyal customers for years,” he noted. “We think that these customers could be entitled to a substantial repayment of up to £500 each.”
All affected customers are expected to be automatically included in the class action, including those who are now deceased, unless they actively choose to opt out.
Responding to the tribunal’s decision, BT said Ofcom’s final statement referred to no finding of excessive pricing or breach of competition law and therefore vowed to “vigorously” defend itself. “We strongly disagree with the speculative claim being brought against us and we will consider all available options,” a spokesman for the company noted. “We take our responsibilities to customers very seriously and will defend ourselves against any claim that suggest otherwise.”
