The consumer advice center receives many complaints about annoying calls from telephone or internet providers, magazine publishers, energy suppliers, banks or insurance companies. Such calls can have annoying consequences: those affected subsequently receive bills or money is deducted from their account. Personal data is also often requested and passed on, which results in even more unwanted calls from other providers.
Scammers with unsolicited telephone advertising
Although telephone advertising is illegal without prior express consent, fraudsters don't care much and contracts foisted over the phone can still be effective. Exceptions apply to electricity and gas supply contracts as well as telecommunications and competition contracts. These cannot be completed by phone and must be confirmed in writing.
The State Criminal Police Office and the consumer advice center give tips on how to protect yourself from unauthorized calls and fake contracts:
- In the case of unwanted calls, you should ask for the name of the caller, the company and, ideally, a callback number and the business address.
- The reason for the call should also be asked.
- Those affected should clearly state that they no longer wish to be called in the future and that all data should be deleted.
- In case of doubt, the company must prove that the customer has concluded the contract for the service.
Contract can be revoked under certain circumstances
Anyone who has concluded a subscription contract on the phone, at the front door, on the street or online can cancel it within 14 days without giving reasons. If the contract was concluded unknowingly and the provider did not provide proper information about the right of cancellation, the subscription can also be canceled for a longer period of time. The deadline is then one year and 14 days. In other cases, the notice period agreed in the contract applies.
The consumer advice center provides a free sample letter for revocation on its website.
The consumer advice center and the State Criminal Police Office provide further information on the subject under the following links:
- False contracts on the phone: Three useful questions for the conversation
- Unwanted advertising calls: Help against telephone advertising
- Unauthorized advertising calls
Source:
Press portal
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