Alleged reverse charge calls
Bundesnetzagentur prohibits invoicing of alleged reverse charge calls
Year of issue 2012
Date of issue 2012.06.08
The Bundesnetzagentur has imposed a ban on billing and collection in connection with certain claims regarding alleged reverse charge calls. The ban was imposed on all network operators and others with retroactive effect to 18 February 2012.
Jochen Homann, President of the Bundesnetzagentur, emphasised that consumers would enjoy lasting protection from the agency’s billing and collection ban. Putting a stop to the cash flows to those responsible for such unlawful calls would render such calls and unfair commercial practices worthless.
Since February 2012 consumers have been receiving calls shown on the display to be originating from call number (0)69 747 362. A recorded message informed them that an international reverse charge call was waiting for them. As is usual in the case of reverse charge calls, the persons called were asked to press key "1" if they wished to accept the call. Should they not wish to accept the call and should they not wish to receive such calls in future, they were requested to press key "2".
Upon acceptance of the reverse charge call, it regularly turned out that the call did not involve a call request from abroad. Some explained that after pressing key "1" they were connected to commercials or received information about sweepstakes. The calling party number (0)69 747 362 proved to be an abbreviated, non-existent number.
The alleged reverse charge calls are invoiced under product ID 81205. In some instances the calls were also itemised as "reverse charge call" or "Service 0900 Premium Service 58".
The ban on invoicing imposed by the Bundesnetzagentur implies that affected consumers may no longer be charged for that product ID. Should consumers already have received such invoices, the ban on collection comes into force. The amounts claimed may hence no longer be collected. However, where consumers have already paid, the two bans do not apply direct. In such cases the consumers should endeavour to reclaim the money, possibly with the local citizen’s advice bureau’s or a lawyer’s support. Should the telephone bill not specify a product ID, the consumer should ask the telephone supplier for the product ID to check whether or not the ban issued by the Bundesnetzagentur applies to the service for which charges were levied.
The Bundesnetzagentur requests consumers to continue notifying such calls and providing the relevant invoices and itemised bills as the practice of offering alleged reverse charge calls may be continued unter other calling party numbers or similar claims may be made using other product IDs.
Consumers may contact the Bundesnetzagentur under the following address:
Address: Bundesnetzagentur
Nördeltstraße 5
59872 Meschede
Telephone: +49 291 9955-206
Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fax: +49 6321 934-111
E-Mail: Opens E-Mail