Hoax: AT&T “Lawful Interception Recovery Fee”

An image allegedly shows an AT&T bill which “proves” the company is charging its customers a “Lawful Interception Recovery Fee” which is designed to pay for government wiretapping.

We have spoken to an AT&T representative who verified this is a hoax.

Let’s first take a look at the claim being circulated on social media:

WHEN I TRIED TO SHARE THIS IT HAD BEEN REMOVED SO I AM PUTING BACK ON SHARE QUICKLY B4 THEY TAKE IT OFF AGAIN I was looking at my bill and didn’t know what this lawful interception fee was….I googled it……WIRE TAPPING!!! I called and they said its a new fee for the… cost incurred from the government. I don’t have anything to hide so if they wanna tap my phone go ahead…..but why should I have to pay for it??!!! This is ridiculous, please share this so we can get the word out there. Oh, and check your bills people!! – Via Kallie Snyder
WHEN I TRIED TO SHARE THIS IT HAD BEEN REMOVED SO I AM PUTTING BACK ON SHARE QUICKLY B4 THEY TAKE IT OFF AGAIN

I was looking at my bill and didn’t know what this lawful interception fee was….I googled it……WIRE TAPPING!!! I called and they said its a new fee for the… cost incurred from the government. I don’t have anything to hide so if they wanna tap my phone go ahead…..but why should I have to pay for it??!!!

This is ridiculous, please share this so we can get the word out there. Oh, and check your bills people!!

This image has been digitally altered and contains obvious mistakes. Consider:

• There are 5 description lines on the left, but 6 charges on the right.
• The charges also do not equal the total of $3.99 as listed in the “Total Surcharges and Other Fees” line.
• As AT&T subscribers, we looked at our bills and found no such fees.
• An AT&T rep confirmed it to be a hoax.
• The copyright on the bottom of the bill reads “2002”

Bottom Line

Ed Snowden’s revelations earlier this year have heightened awareness – and paranoia – about government spying on citizens. In the case of this “lawful interception recovery fee,” however, it is just a hoax.

Article updated August 17, 2013