Dell settlement to spread nationwide, New York AG Cuomo says

[UPDATE: For more on the lawsuit settlement and another free online video of Attorney General Cuomo, see Cuomo: Lots of Dell users in NY are due compensation on the Consumer Reports Money Blog. —Ed.]

The $4 million settlement agreement Dell entered into with the office of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo could well lead to consumers nationwide receiving millions of dollars in compensation from Dell.

Other state attorneys general have also been pursuing cases against the company, said New York AG Andrew Cuomo in an interview with Consumer Reports Technology Editor Jeff Fox at a press conference held today at the magazine’s headquarters. And given the results in New York, he inferred, it’s likely that other states will succeed with their own cases.

“Even when you’re as big as Dell Computer, we still expect you to honor your contracts,” said Cuomo during the press conference. “Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you can abuse the consumer.”

As a result of the settlement, spurred by more than 3,000 complaints received by Cuomo’s office, Dell will change its warranty, advertising, and debt-collecting practices. The company will also pay New York consumers who had difficulty obtaining tech support under service contracts, or who paid interest when they believed they’d purchased their computers under a no-interest promotion.

Other companies face similar scrutiny of their tech-support and service practices, Cuomo added.

If you live outside New York State, but have had an experience with Dell similar to the types described above, you may want to contact your state attorney general to see if a similar settlement may be in the works in your state. If so, it’s a good idea to gather any documentation, such as notes and receipts, you might need to support your claim. —Donna Tapellini

Comments

[Cynthia M Smith]

I have bought 3 dell computers and 3 printers and an mp3, what does the dell settlement has to do with me and what do I need to do?

[James]

When you hire professional computer support. services, they have access to all the latest software that is useful to protect one’s computer from the attack of the virus.

[Amy Lebrecht]

This is great News! Now I can get my money back for my PC that never worked or the faulty warranty service that never existed! awesome. Cant wait for my check in the mail.