Store reps made promises of $200 gift cards per new phone line, then T-Mobile claimed the promotion never existed. Now California customers are fighting back through the courts, and the implications reach far beyond one carrier’s broken promises.
The Promise That Disappeared
Purya Ghrabeti thought he’d scored a solid deal in June 2024. The California resident signed up for two new T-Mobile lines after store representative “Celeste” confirmed he’d receive $200 gift cards for each activation—$400 total. Three months later, a T-Mobile supervisor called with different news: the promotion never existed.
Ghrabeti claims he recorded the original promise on video, and his November 2025 class action lawsuit alleges this wasn’t an isolated incident. According to the complaint, Google searches revealed numerous similar customer complaints describing identical bait-and-switch experiences.
Legal Claims Target Systematic Deception
The case, filed in California’s Riverside County Superior Court, targets T-Mobile under two key statutes:
- False advertising (Business & Professions Code § 17500)
- Unfair business practices (§ 17200)
Ghrabeti’s legal team argues T-Mobile either instructed or permitted retail staff to advertise non-existent promotions to boost sales.
The lawsuit positions this within T-Mobile’s broader legal troubles—the carrier simultaneously faces challenges from AT&T over data scraping allegations and from Verizon over competing false advertising claims. This trifecta suggests T-Mobile’s “Un-carrier” reputation for customer-friendly practices faces serious credibility tests, joining other scandals affecting major tech companies.
Who Can Join the Fight
Currently, only California residents qualify due to the state-specific legal framework. Eligible customers include those who purchased new T-Mobile lines or devices after receiving promises of $200 gift cards or similar financial incentives but never received them.
The lawsuit doesn’t specify exact promotional dates, though Ghrabeti’s experience centers on mid-2024 transactions. Potential class members should preserve documentation like receipts, emails, or account statements confirming their promotional promises.
Long Road Ahead, No Quick Payouts
Don’t expect immediate compensation. The lawsuit remains in early litigation stages with no settlement reached or claim forms available. Class action cases typically require extensive legal proceedings before reaching resolution.
If successful, affected customers might recover their promised $200-$400 per line, though actual settlement amounts often differ from initial damages sought. T-Mobile hasn’t publicly responded to the allegations, maintaining silence while the legal process unfolds.
The bigger question isn’t just whether T-Mobile customers get their gift cards—it’s whether promotional promises from major carrier companies carry any legal weight. Your next carrier deal might depend on how this case shakes out.
