AG Shapiro sues Verizon, says company didn't deliver on promises of free Amazon Prime, Echo

Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 8:30 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is suing a major cell phone company for not delivering on its promises. 

The lawsuit against Verizon Communications claims the company advertised that they would give a free Amazon Echo — in some cases, a free Amazon Prime subscription — to people who began or renewed specific contracts between November and January 2018.

Customers were supposed to receive an email with instructions to get their incentives after 31 days. According to the Bureau of Consumer Protection, that didn't happen. 

Those who called Verizon about the issue were told that it would be addressed, but for months it wasn't. 

Some people are stuck in a two-year Verizon contract subject to early termination fees, though they haven't received the free Amazon Echo or Amazon Prime membership they were promised.

The lawsuit filed Monday in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas by the attorney general's office requests injunctive relief, restitution, civil penalties and other equitable relief. 

Verizon responded Tuesday morning with the following statement:

"We are frankly surprised by today's lawsuit. We've been engaged in a productive dialogue with the Attorney General's office. We had a few technical issues with this promotion, but we have worked hard to address all the issues we know about. Lawsuit or no lawsuit, we will do right by our customers." 

Anyone who has experienced issues with this Verizon offer can contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

You can also file a complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov.