Ringtones, games or streaming – with just one click you can add an expensive subscription to your cell phone bill without being noticed. Third-party blocks and legal protection mechanisms offer effective protection against such subscription traps.
How does the subscription trap via the cell phone bill work?
What at first glance seems like harmless advertising can end up being expensive. According to the consumer advice center, a careless tap of the finger on an advertising banner is often enough to trigger a paid subscription – the billing is carried out unnoticed via the mobile phone bill. This is made possible by a technical process in which the mobile phone number is identified in the background. Particularly treacherous: With so-called “clickjacking”, a harmless button appears, but a paid contract is concluded in the background. The Federal Court of Justice (Az. 2 StR 616/12) considers such practices to be attempted fraud.
Paid – but didn’t order anything? Why third-party providers are hardly recognizable
Again and again, unknown cost items appear on cell phone bills – for subscriptions that were never consciously taken out. The problem: The actual providers of these services usually remain hidden. As the consumer advice center explains, billing companies often only appear on the invoices, but not the actual third-party providers who provide the services. Many of those affected are therefore not even aware of what they are paying for.
In addition, some subscriptions are triggered by misleading banners or automated processes without a clear indication of costs. In a specific case, the Düsseldorf District Court (Az. 50 C 248/17) found that a valid contract had not been concluded at all. The customer had unintentionally paid subscription fees for months – the provider was ordered to pay them back. A judgment that makes it clear: you can definitely successfully resist non-transparent demands.
Protective measures: third-party blocking and redirect procedures
To protect yourself from unwanted subscriptions, consumer advocates recommend setting up a so-called third-party block. It can be easily activated with almost all mobile phone providers – for example online, via app or via the hotline. In many cases it is even possible to specifically block certain categories such as “subscription” or “erotica”.
Another central protective instrument is the redirect procedure: Before the contract is concluded, you must be redirected to a separate confirmation page from the mobile phone provider, on which the costs are clearly stated. This procedure is required by law and is intended to prevent contracts from coming into being unintentionally.
In addition, many providers offer so-called mobile phone guarantees. Among other things, they require reimbursement in the event of misuse and contain information requirements to make bookings easier to understand.
What to do in an emergency? Steps in the event of an unwanted subscription
If an unknown subscription is discovered on your cell phone bill, consumer advocates recommend canceling the service immediately – ideally in writing to the third-party provider or the billing company mentioned. At the same time, the bill should be disputed and a refund filed with both the subscription provider and the mobile phone company that processed the payment.
According to a ruling by the LG Potsdam, mobile phone customers with objections do not only have to be referred to the third-party provider – the network operator is also responsible. If there is no clarification, a complaint can be submitted to the Federal Network Agency. However, undisputed items on the invoice should continue to be paid to avoid blockages.
It’s better to be safe than sorry: How to avoid the subscription trap
If you want to be on the safe side from the start, you should set up the third-party blocking directly with the mobile phone provider – especially for children’s and teenagers’ cell phones.
However, as the consumer advice center explains, the block only affects this billing method – other payment methods such as credit card or direct debit remain possible. According to dpa, caution is also advised when entering into new contracts: For many providers, third-party billing is automatically activated and must first be actively deactivated.
Editorial team finanzen.net