CHULA VISTA, Oct. 14, 2026 — A Chula Vista family who expected to save money by combining home internet and cellphone service instead faced nearly $3,000 in disputed charges, according to an Oct. 13 investigation by NBC 7 Responds.
Jesus Cendejas told NBC 7 that a bundled offer appeared to promise lower monthly costs and new phones for his family. He later found the quoted costs did not match the charges he was receiving. According to the report, the monthly bill came to $296, versus the roughly $180 he believed he had agreed to pay, and there were additional activation fees.
Cendejas said he tried to cancel and return the phones during the company’s return period. The charges nevertheless continued, reaching $2,963.94 by August. After NBC 7 contacted AT&T, the company stopped collection proceedings and removed the charges. AT&T expressed regret for the inconvenience but did not explain the cause of the billing problem, NBC 7 reported.
What Chula Vista consumers can do
- Request the complete monthly price, activation fees, discounts and their expiration dates in writing before accepting a bundle.
- Confirm the cancellation deadline and whether devices must be returned in-store or shipped.
- Keep dated receipts, shipping tracking numbers, screenshots and written communications.
- If charges persist, dispute them promptly in writing and retain a record of each contact.
This case was resolved after news intervention; it does not establish that every disputed bundle charge is improper. The broader lesson is to document promotional terms and returns before a disagreement arises.
Source and original reporting: NBC 7 Responds, Sergio Flores, Oct. 13, 2026.
