Madigan says T-Mobile settlement shields consumers

The Illinois attorney general's office says anyone who thinks he or she was among T-Mobile customers wrongly charged for cellphone text services can file a claim for a refund.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced Friday that T-Mobile US will pay at least $90 million, mostly in refunds, under a nationwide settlement with regulators.

Many consumers aren't aware that third-party companies can put charges on their phone bills for text services. It's a practice known as "cramming."

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says in a news release that "cellphone bill cramming has become a major source of consumer fraud."

Madigan's office says those affected can file a claim for a refund online at http://www.t-mobilerefund.com.

Besides the refunds, T-Mobile must also pay $18 million in fines to the all 50 states.