Nextel Settles Civil Complaint Over Ads

A wireless-communications company must pay $30,000 in civil fines and change its advertising practices after a settlement was reached Friday with the Ventura County district attorney’s office.

Nextel of California was accused of false advertising in a civil complaint filed in April. Customers were promised savings of “up to $100 off their purchase of a Nextel phone” in a mail advertising campaign. The company allegedly failed to disclose that the customer would have to buy five telephones to receive the discount.

Although the company did not admit any wrongdoing, it agreed to a final judgment and permanent injunction. Superior Court Judge Henry J. Walsh signed the agreement.

The injunction prohibits the company from advertising any discount or price on any telephone or other equipment without disclosing the minimum number of items that must be purchased to receive the discount. The company is a subsidiary of Nextel Communications, which is based in Reston, Va.