Consumer organizations want more protection against telephone advertising
Consumer organizations throughout Switzerland are calling for stricter laws regarding telemarketing. These organizations propose that consumers be allowed to cancel a contract entered into over the phone within seven days.
Consumer organizations throughout Switzerland are calling for the laws on telemarketing to be tightened. The organizations are proposing that consumers should be able to withdraw from a contract concluded over the phone within seven days. Telemarketing companies should also provide a code number by which they can be identified. Number suppression should no longer be possible for telephone advertisers. The Foundation for Consumer Protection, the Consumer Forum, the Fédération Romande des Consommateurs and the Associazione Consumatrici della Svizzera Italiana have submitted their concerns to the National Council's Legal Affairs Committee. The committee will meet on September 13 and 14 and will discuss a corresponding parliamentary initiative.
The reason for the action is that, in the eyes of consumer organizations, telephone advertising is becoming increasingly aggressive, sophisticated and penetrating. The cases of abuse are increasing. There are many black sheep, said Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Foundation for Consumer Protection and Member of the Council of States, at a media conference in Bern on Tuesday. The telecommunications companies Sunrise, Tele 2, Cablecom and Econophone are at the forefront of the aggressive telephone advertisers.
Health insurance companies are also included, such as Groupe Mutuel, Helsana and Swica. One of the typical black sheep is the Austrian company Friedrich Müller. For years, this company has been harassing consumers on the phone with false promises of profits.
The practice of aggressive telemarketing companies also has a negative impact on other sectors. For example, opinion research institutes that conduct surveys may also call people with a star entry in the telephone directory. They often react annoyed because they have had enough of calls from companies.
According to Franziska Troesch-Schnyder, President of the Consumer Forum, the abuses have led to aggressive telemarketing becoming the third biggest concern for consumers in recent years.
The reason for the action is that, in the eyes of consumer organizations, telephone advertising is becoming increasingly aggressive, sophisticated and penetrating. The cases of abuse are increasing. There are many black sheep, said Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Foundation for Consumer Protection and Member of the Council of States, at a media conference in Bern on Tuesday. The telecommunications companies Sunrise, Tele 2, Cablecom and Econophone are at the forefront of the aggressive telephone advertisers.
Health insurance companies are also included, such as Groupe Mutuel, Helsana and Swica. One of the typical black sheep is the Austrian company Friedrich Müller. For years, this company has been harassing consumers on the phone with false promises of profits.
The practice of aggressive telemarketing companies also has a negative impact on other sectors. For example, opinion research institutes that conduct surveys may also call people with a star entry in the telephone directory. They often react annoyed because they have had enough of calls from companies.
According to Franziska Troesch-Schnyder, President of the Consumer Forum, the abuses have led to aggressive telemarketing becoming the third biggest concern for consumers in recent years.
