Cold calling companies can no longer arrange a contract over the telephone for mobile phones, electricity, or gas until the client has received a contract, signed it and returned it.
The Director General of Commerce, Consumers and Artesans has informs consumers that the norms concerning contracts arranged over the phone or arranged in writing by letter, fax, email or SMS messaging must have a physical signature on the contract before it is legal.
The Director General explains that the new norm aims to protect consumers and businesses alike. It is no longer possible, he says, to close a contract for services such as mobile phones, ADSL, electricity or gas over the phone.
“A recording will no longer serve as proof of a contract nor will it carry any contractual obligations or act as confirmation of a contract. The consumer will only be bound by a contract when it has been returned and signed by letter, email, fax or SMS messaging. In this way the consumer is completely aware of the service they have accepted, and is guaranteed to receive all the information about the contract before signing: neither of which are possible to obtain over the phone.
