Consumer Advocates Warn From Telecommunications Companies

Many telecommunications companies require their customers to pay additional fees for returned direct debits and payment reminders. Also remaining balance of a prepaid contract to pay some, or only at an extra charge of. This is the conclusion of the Consumer Federation (VZBV) and the Consumer Association of Berlin after an examination of numerous contracts. Consumer advocates have warned that because of 23 telecommunications companies, associations divided on 14 August. "It shows again that companies change illegal business practices only if they are forced legally to" sums Helke Heidemann-Peuser, Head of Collective redress the Consumer Federation (VZBV), a sobering conclusion from the examination of numerous telecommunications contracts. After two leading cases for the industry under investigation, the lawyers, like other vendors to implement the law on fair costing.

Remaining balance is paid out free of charge
Thus, the Federal High Court on 9 June 2011 decision in a proceeding against the VZBV E-Plus, that an unused credit must be paid after the contract expires. This happens, for example, if a customer cancels his cell phone prepaid contract and did not balance on the prepaid card. The Schleswig-Holstein Higher Regional Court had on for a lawsuit against the VZBV Klarmobil 27th March 2012 also decided that may be required to pay any fee. According to the court, the payment is not a real achievement, because the customer already had claim to it. Many vendors would not comply with these rulings and deep among consumers continues to reach into the bag, it was called by the consumer advocates. And so, they some companies paying out a minimum amount required for this function, or a processing fee of up to six euros.

Reminder and charge back fee is often too high
Some companies reserved their contract, per reminder to collect up to 15 €. In part, the customer should pay a penalty even without ever being with their payment in arrears. Even the return of a debit account should suffer because of an unmet customer with up to € 20.95. In contrast, had been declared from the Schleswig-Holstein Higher Regional Court Fines in the amount of 9.95 € and chargeback fees in the amount of 19.95 € for illegal because they exceed the expected loss would be far. So far 17 companies have issued a cease and desist and changed its terms of contract. In addition, the consumer centers in five cases previously filed lawsuit.