New contract for electricity or gas?

Consumer advocates warn of nasty SMS scams

Created: 2022-02-08 13:37

By: Patricia Huber

Signing contracts over the phone is no longer allowed.

Therefore, some energy providers have now considered a new trick.

© imageBROKER/Lilly/Imago Images

Finding the right energy contract is not that easy.

But consumers should be careful with tempting offers on the phone.

Hamburg - Energy prices are rising* and many consumers are therefore looking for new low tariffs.

Especially those who are affected by the unilateral terminations by the cheap electricity providers Stromio, Grünwelt and Gas.de.

These customers have now slipped into the mostly expensive basic service.

A perfect basis for shady providers who offer contracts over the phone.

Energy contracts: SMS scam exploits consumer ignorance

The consumer advice center in Hamburg is now warning of this in a press release.

Consumer advocates have already received several cases in which private households have been offered energy contracts over the phone.

However, concluding a contract over the phone is not legal.

Therefore, those affected receive an SMS with an offer.

On the phone, an employee then asks them to accept the offer and confirm it.

"Many of those affected do not realize that they are entering into a legally binding contract with the confirmation," says Jan Bornemann from the Hamburg consumer advice center.

The rule that contracts can no longer be concluded over the phone should actually protect consumers from such "contract traps".

SMS trick: Energy providers use distraction for themselves

Bornemann goes on to explain: “In the past, people who were called on the phone were literally taken by surprise and verbal contracts were foisted on them.

Today, the counseling talks distract from the content of the SMS sent.”

So while consumers are still engaged in the conversation, they should agree to the offer.

However, there is often no time for thorough reading, which can later lead to a cost shock.

Because important details are often overlooked in these cases.

However, anyone who has fallen for this trick of the electricity providers can defend themselves.

Because the contract can still be revoked up to 14 days after conclusion.

And this period only begins when the customer has been instructed about the possibility of cancellation.