Subscriptions via cell phone.

Mobile phone rip-off: Redirect process is intended to protect users from subscription traps! – The most important thing at the beginning:

Mobile phone users are being lured into unwanted subscription traps in an increasingly sophisticated way. The redirect procedure has been mandatory since February 1st. In this case, the user is informed of the costs and must actively confirm them in order to order the subscription.

Surprise cell phone bill

You just click briefly on a banner and you have already unintentionally taken out a subscription. In most cases, cell phone users only notice this on their cell phone bill weeks later. The consumer advice center in Cologne also confirms this rip-off.

Redirect procedure since February 1st

The Federal Network Agency has now made the so-called redirect procedure mandatory for subscription contracts. If you click on a banner, you will be redirected to the network operator's website and informed of the costs. If the click was actually intended, you have to confirm the order again here.

In cases where no redirect has been set up, the provider must undertake certain protective measures: The mobile phone guarantee. This includes, for example, the “money-back guarantee” in the event of misuse.

Subscription traps and rip-offs via SMS and email

Another cost trap are phishing messages.

Monika Jenke, consultant at the Cologne Consumer Center, warns against fraudulent messages sent by email or SMS. These are becoming increasingly sophisticated and sophisticated. As an example, she cites the subscription trap that announces an undeliverable package.

We recently reported on such a case in which the sender disguises itself as DHL: Fake DHL SMS leads to a subscription trap!

In such cases, however, it is important that information about the subscription must be clearly visible on the relevant website. The user also has to click a button that is labeled “order for a fee”. If this is not the case, the contract is not legally valid.

Rip-off and fraudulent trading

Hidden purchase buttons often lead to unwanted subscriptions. The user is encouraged to click at a specific point. Without noticing, a purchase button is activated in the background. When the corresponding website is opened, the user's mobile phone number is unnoticed. Payment instructions are then sent directly to the mobile phone provider.

This is clearly fraudulent activity. That's why it's particularly important to check your mobile phone bills regularly.

Third-party blocking recommended

Despite the mandatory redirect procedure, the Cologne consumer advice center still recommends blocking third-party providers. Here the mobile phone number is blocked for debits from third-party providers.

Partial blocks can also be made for different categories such as erotica.

The third-party blocks have no influence on payment options via smartphone and only relate to billing via the mobile phone provider. Payment methods such as credit card, invoice or direct debit are not affected by this; paying by smartphone is not considered a third-party provider.

Source: Kölner Stadt Anzeiger
Article image: Shutterstock / By fizkes


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Notes:
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