Better protection against advertising calls required
March 15 is World Consumer Rights Day. The Federal Commission for Consumer Affairs is taking this opportunity to call for better protection against abuses in telephone sales.
March 15 is World Consumer Rights Day. The Federal Commission for Consumer Affairs is taking this opportunity to call for better protection against abuses in telephone sales.
In a recommendation to the Federal Council, the commission demands that older people in particular should be better protected from such abuses. As reported by the SDA news agency, it therefore wants to introduce a right of withdrawal for telephone sales, as already exists for door-to-door sales. According to this, those affected who have concluded a contract by telephone should be able to withdraw from the contract within seven days of receiving written confirmation. The prerequisite is that they have been approached by the telemarketer.
In addition, further measures such as a prefix number are to be introduced so that telemarketers can be identified. The Foundation for Consumer Protection (SKS) has also set up an office where telemarketing companies that do not respect the asterisk in the telephone directory can be reported. These are published on the SKS website. The Foundation reserves the right to take legal action against particularly aggressive companies.
In a recommendation to the Federal Council, the commission demands that older people in particular should be better protected from such abuses. As reported by the SDA news agency, it therefore wants to introduce a right of withdrawal for telephone sales, as already exists for door-to-door sales. According to this, those affected who have concluded a contract by telephone should be able to withdraw from the contract within seven days of receiving written confirmation. The prerequisite is that they have been approached by the telemarketer.
In addition, further measures such as a prefix number are to be introduced so that telemarketers can be identified. The Foundation for Consumer Protection (SKS) has also set up an office where telemarketing companies that do not respect the asterisk in the telephone directory can be reported. These are published on the SKS website. The Foundation reserves the right to take legal action against particularly aggressive companies.
