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New Bill Seeks to Protect Consumers from Service Providers Hidden Fees

Consumer Protection
A new law to fight hidden TV and service fees

When the government has to pass a law to protect consumers from television companies, you know there’s a problem. The Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019 takes aim at hidden fees and billing surprises.

1 The Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019

When the government has to pass a law to protect consumers from television companies, you know there’s a problem. The Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019 (H.R. 5035), which passed both the House and the Senate, aims to require providers of internet, voice, mobile, data and other services to “engage in transparent sales and e-billing” and “refrain from charging a consumer for using equipment not provided by the service provider.”

2 Why We Need a Law Like This

Why do we need a law like this? Because, according to studies conducted by Consumer Reports, add-on cable T.V. fees can add almost $450 in unexpected charges to annual bills, the sort of hidden fees on your bill that catch consumers off guard. In other words, service providers are not being transparent about their billing practices and often include hidden fees in consumers’ bills. The bill will require companies to disclose the total monthly price of their customer’s T.V. bill when they sign up for service so that there are no surprises when a customer receives the bill.

3 Formal Notice and the Right to Cancel

Another provision of the bill focuses on “formal notice” and the “right to cancel.” Providers will be required to send consumers — within 24 hours — information that includes the price of their service. Furthermore, a provider that enters into a contract with the consumer would have to allow the consumer to 24 hours to cancel a contract without incurring any penalties, cancellation fees, or disconnection fees.

4 What This Means for Consumers

This new law, slated to take effect this year, will relieve some of the burden imposed by service providers on consumers. Consumers are fed up with fighting cable price increases, and they’re making their voices heard.

If you think you are overpaying on your monthly bills, send them to Billshark and let us reduce your TV bill in minutes. The best part is, there is no risk — if we can’t get you a lower rate, you don’t pay for our service. Let Billshark help you take control of your finances.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019?

It is a law (H.R. 5035) that passed both the House and the Senate. It aims to require providers of internet, voice, mobile, data and other services to engage in transparent sales and e-billing, and to refrain from charging a consumer for using equipment not provided by the service provider.

How much can hidden cable fees add to a yearly bill?

According to studies conducted by Consumer Reports, add-on cable T.V. fees can add almost $450 in unexpected charges to annual bills. Service providers are often not transparent about their billing practices and include hidden fees in consumers' bills.

Will providers have to disclose the total monthly price upfront?

Yes. The bill requires companies to disclose the total monthly price of their customer's T.V. bill when they sign up for service, so that there are no surprises when the customer receives the bill.

What does the bill say about the right to cancel?

A provision focuses on formal notice and the right to cancel. Providers must send consumers, within 24 hours, information that includes the price of their service. A provider that enters into a contract would have to allow the consumer 24 hours to cancel without incurring any penalties, cancellation fees, or disconnection fees.

How can Billshark help if I am overpaying on my bills?

If you think you are overpaying on your monthly bills, send them to Billshark and we will lower them in minutes. There is no risk: if we can't get you a lower rate, you don't pay for our service. Let Billshark help you take control of your finances.

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When the government has to pass a law to protect consumers from television companies, you know there’s a problem.

Why do we need a law like this?.

Another provision of the bill focuses on “formal notice” and the “right to cancel.”.

This new law, slated to take effect this year, will relieve some of the burden imposed by service providers on consumers.

If you think you are overpaying on your monthly bills, send them to Billshark and let us reduce your TV bill in minutes.

It is a law (H.R.

According to studies conducted by Consumer Reports, add-on cable T.V.

Yes.

A provision focuses on formal notice and the right to cancel.

If you think you are overpaying on your monthly bills, send them to Billshark and we will lower them in minutes.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.

Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.

1 The Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019.

2 Why We Need a Law Like.

3 Formal Notice and the Right to Cancel.

4 What This Means for Consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019?.

How much can hidden cable fees add to a yearly bill?.

Will providers have to disclose the total monthly price upfront?.

What does the bill say about the right to cancel?.

How can Billshark help if I am overpaying on my bills?.

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