T-Mobile Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Unfulfilled Gift Card Promotions

A class action lawsuit has been filed against T-Mobile USA Inc. by Purya Ghrabeti, alleging that the company failed to honor a promotional offer of $200 gift cards for each new phone line purchased. The lawsuit, initiated in November 2024 in California, claims that T-Mobile engaged in false advertising and deceptive business practices, violating California consumer protection laws. Ghrabeti asserts that he was misled into purchasing two new phone lines based on the promotion, which he was later informed did not exist.

NewsweekT-Mobile’s deceptive $200 gift card promise exposedSome T-Mobile customers regret adding new lines due to alleged about-face

According to the lawsuit, Ghrabeti was assured by a T-Mobile store representative that he would receive $400 in gift cards for his purchases, with delivery expected within ten weeks. However, after completing the transaction, he received a call from a T-Mobile supervisor on September 10, 2024, who stated that the promotion was not valid. Ghrabeti contends that he would not have made the purchases without the promise of the gift cards, highlighting a broader issue of customer trust in promotional offers.

T-Mobile’s deceptive $200 gift card promise exposed

Ghrabeti's complaint suggests that T-Mobile has a pattern of advertising gift card promotions without the intention or ability to fulfill them. The lawsuit indicates that Ghrabeti discovered similar complaints from other customers who also did not receive promised gift cards after purchasing new lines. This pattern has led Ghrabeti to seek class action status, aiming to represent other California consumers who were similarly affected.

T-Mobile’s deceptive $200 gift card promise exposedSome T-Mobile customers regret adding new lines due to alleged about-faceNewsweek

Ghrabeti is represented by Todd M. Friedman, Adrian R. Bacon, and Meghan E. George from the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman P.C. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, restitution, equitable relief, and injunctive relief, which could compel T-Mobile to alter its advertising practices and ensure that future promotions are honored.

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This lawsuit is part of a broader legal landscape for T-Mobile, which is also facing a separate lawsuit from AT&T regarding alleged misuse of consumer data and a claim from Verizon over false advertising related to promotional rates. These ongoing legal challenges highlight a significant gap between T-Mobile's marketing promises and customer experiences, raising questions about the company's business practices.

T-Mobile’s deceptive $200 gift card promise exposed

While Ghrabeti's lawsuit presents a clear narrative of alleged deceptive practices, T-Mobile has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, leaving questions about the company's internal policies regarding promotions and customer communications unanswered. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for T-Mobile's marketing strategies and consumer trust.

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• “[T-Mobile] created the false impression—through its employees and marketing practices—that such promotions were active, valid, and would be honored upon purchase, despite having no intention or ability to fulfill them,” — Purya Ghrabeti, Plaintiff

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• “Ghrabeti alleges the promotion was not a miscommunication or an isolated error by one employee, but rather part of a broader pattern of conduct designed to induce customers to buy additional lines on the basis of offers the company had no intention of honoring.” — Purya Ghrabeti, Plaintiff

T-Mobile’s deceptive $200 gift card promise exposed

The case, Ghrabeti v. T-Mobile USA Inc., is currently pending in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Riverside, and its developments will be closely monitored by both consumers and industry observers.

T-Mobile’s deceptive $200 gift card promise exposed