We’ve all been there: you’re waiting for a package, you check the tracking, and it says they tried to deliver. Except you’ve been paying attention the whole time, and no knock has ever come. When it’s just one resident, that really stinks. When it’s a whole bunch of packages being delivered on government contracts, though, it’s lawsuit time.
That’s why UPS will be paying $4.2 million in settlements with 17 states, USA Today reports.
According to the settlement, UPS drivers applied inapplicable or inappropriate “excepting codes” that excused late arrivals of next-day delivery packages.
These codes were based on false claims of adverse weather or other conditions. Because of this, government customers were unable to qualify for refunds on late arrivals.
“UPS improperly profited from charging New York State government entities — and ultimately our taxpayers — when its employees failed to meet its guaranteed delivery times for overnight deliveries,” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, said in a statement.
States covered under the agreement include: California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, as well as three cities.
Under the settlement, UPS does not acknowledge liability and disagrees with the position of state officials.
UPS to pay $4.2 million for false delivery claims [USA Today]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist