T-Mobile Sued for Failing to Honor $200 Gift Card Promotion in California Class Action

Purya Ghrabeti filed a class action complaint against T-Mobile USA Inc. on November 12, 2025, in Riverside County Superior Court in California.

The lawsuit accuses the company of false advertising and deceptive practices related to a promotional offer for $200 gift cards per new phone line.

Details of the Alleged Incident

Ghrabeti visited a T-Mobile retail store at 30029 Haun Rd. in Menifee, California, on June 16, 2024. He brought one cell phone and purchased two new cell phones along with corresponding lines of service. A store associate named Celeste confirmed that each new line qualified for a $200 gift card. Celeste stated that Ghrabeti would receive $400 in gift cards within approximately 10 weeks and provided confirmation of the offer.

No written contract was signed, and the transaction occurred electronically without disclosure of promotion terms. Ghrabeti relied on these representations and completed the purchase.

On September 10, 2024, a T-Mobile supervisor called Ghrabeti and informed him that "no such promotion existed and that the company would not honor the promised gift cards."

Ghrabeti holds video evidence from the store where Celeste stated that he would receive the two $200 gift cards. He conducted online searches and found similar complaints from other consumers about T-Mobile's failure to deliver on comparable gift card promotions.

Class Definition and Scope

The proposed class includes all individuals in California who, within the applicable statute of limitations, purchased one or more new phone lines or devices from T-Mobile relying on a promotional offer for a gift card or financial incentive and did not receive it. Exclusions cover T-Mobile, its affiliates, employees, agents, attorneys, and the court.

The complaint estimates thousands of class members, making joinder impractical. Claims stem from T-Mobile's uniform practices, including standardized representations about promotions that were not fulfilled.

Common questions include whether T-Mobile engaged in deceptive practices by advertising offers without intent to fulfill them, made misleading in-store statements, profited from induced purchases, and violated California's Unfair Competition Law.

Legal Claims Against T-Mobile

The lawsuit asserts violations of California's Unfair Competition Law under Business and Professions Code sections 17200 et seq., covering unfair, fraudulent, and unlawful practices.

Under the unfair prong, the conduct caused substantial injury to consumers, offended public policy, and lacked countervailing benefits, with alternatives available to T-Mobile.

For the fraudulent prong, representations about valid promotions deceived the public, influencing purchase decisions despite no intent to deliver.

The unlawful prong points to false advertising under section 17500 et seq., where T-Mobile induced purchases through deceptive tactics and failed to provide incentives.

Relief Sought in the Lawsuit

The complaint requests class certification, restitution, equitable relief, and an injunction to stop T-Mobile's practices.

It also seeks an order for T-Mobile to correct its actions and provide judgment in favor of Ghrabeti and the class.