Learn your options to get your voice heard and make CenturyLink pay
Like most people, you’ve probably tried reaching out to fix the seemingly small problem swiftly by calling CenturyLink’s customer service. You’ve spent hours on the phone with hold messages, computerized menus, and—if you’re lucky—a few humans, but you still aren’t getting anywhere. So now you want to know: How do I file a legal CenturyLink claim?
In Small Claims Court
What is it? In most cases you cannot file a CenturyLink claim because of your contract with them. There is one exception to this which is small claims court. So, you have a chance to go before a local judge and try to get monetary compensation to fix the problem.
What you need to do: Follow the steps laid out here in FairShake’s Guide to Sue CenturyLink in Small Claims Court.
What to expect: If you follow all the steps precisely and have a strong claim against CenturyLink, there’s a good chance you’ll get compensation.
With your credit card provider
What is it? When you use your credit card to make a purchase, you enter into an agreement with the company and the company you are buying from (like CenturyLink). They agree to follow rules and if their service is not what they said it would be, or there is an unfair charge, you can dispute it with your credit card company first.
What you need to do: Most credit card companies will let you do this process entirely online. Log in to your credit card account and look for more information on how to dispute and challenge a charge. Typically you’ll have to identify the charge, describe your claim, and if possible provide evidence to support it.
What to expect: The credit card company may temporarily remove the charge from your bill. They will then likely ask CenturyLink for a response. You may also be asked for more information or evidence before they make a final decision on your CenturyLink claim.
With the FCC
What is it? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a government agency that regulates much of CenturyLink’s business. The FCC provides an informal channel for consumers to submit claims and complaints against CenturyLink.
What happens to these claims depends on the internal procedures of the FCC. The FCC also provides a more formal complaint procedure, but there is a monetary charge for this.
When to try it: You’re frustrated with CenturyLink and want to make your complaint available to the government and the public. An FCC complaint is not a way to pursue compensation but if you just want to get your story out there and let the company know you are upset, this is one way to do it.
What you need to do: File an informal complaint against CenturyLink on the FCC’s public website by following the instructions here.
What to expect: Your complaint will be posted online in a public database. It may be used in setting the FCC’s priorities for regulating companies like CenturyLink. The company may be asked to respond to it. You will not necessarily receive an individual response.
With the Better Business Bureau
What is it? The Better Business Bureau and its local chapters are private organizations that collect and publish complaints against a wide range of companies. They are mainly funded by affiliate fees from businesses, and usually offer these business an opportunity to respond to consumer complaints.
When to try it: When CenturyLink’s BBB page show that it is actively involved in responding to complaints you are more likely to get a response from them, maybe a request to provide more information so they can fix the issue. Or, alternatively, when you want another way to get your dissatisfaction out there on the internet you can do it regardless of whether the company is actively responding to complaints.
What you need to do: Go to CenturyLink’s BBB profile here and follow the instructions for submitting a complaint.
What to expect: This depends on whether the company actively responds to its BBB complaints. If it does, you may receive a response directly from them, or via the BBB. You may be asked for further documentation or clarification on your complaint. Ultimately, it is up to CenturyLink whether they choose to acknowledge and offer compensation for your claim.
Through Arbitration (with FairShake)
What is it? Remember that thing about the small print of your CenturyLink contract? Well instead of most courts, what their contract allows you to do is to file a claim that will be argued before an independent individual called an arbitrator.
Because this process costs CenturyLink money, often they’ll try to settle your claim once you put them on notice that you plan on taking them to arbitration. That’s what FairShake can help with!
When to try it: Any situation in which you believe CenturyLink has misled you, violated their contract with you, or violated the law can be pursued through arbitration. Typically claims involve a specific request for how CenturyLink can fix the situation, which may include financial compensation. FairShake will help you pursue claims up to $10,000.
What you need to do: Fill out our form below, to start your claim against CenturyLink. Or, for more information on the steps in pursuing an arbitration claim yourself, click here.
What to expect: For more details about arbitration, click here. Or start your claim below and let us help!
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FairShake’s Ultimate Guide to Consumer Complaints
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