2024-08-15 18:34:52
A free service becomes a cost trap for consumers. Consumer advocates are now suing the website operator, who claims to be part of the ARD and ZDF contribution service.
The company SSS-Software Special Service GmbH operates the website service-rundfunkbeitrag.de and offers interested parties the opportunity to register, re-register or de-register with the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice (formerly GEZ). Consumers have to pay fees for the service.
These processes are free of charge at the official contribution service rundfunkbeitrag.de. From the perspective of the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv), it is not clear on the company’s website that the service is subject to a fee. The vzbv has now filed an injunction against the company. In addition, those affected who visited the site and paid before June 28, 2024 should request a refund.
Until recently, a Google search for “register broadcasting fee” showed the results page for service-rundfunkbeitrag.de. These were purchased advertisements. The operator’s website then contains forms that consumers can use, among other things, to notify the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio contribution service of a change in their residential address or bank details, according to consumer advocates.
“It is not clear enough that the provider is charging 29.99 euros for this,” says Sebastian Reiling, a consultant in the vzbv class action lawsuit team. “Anyone who has already paid money should demand it back.” The cancellation must be explained.
Those affected can use the sample letter provided by the consumer advice centers. Anyone who has not yet paid and has received a letter from the debt collection company Colleon AG should seek advice from a local consumer advice center.
According to the vzbv, the company has announced that it will accept a cancellation provided that it is linked to the cancellation policy in the version valid until June 27, 2024. In concrete terms, this means that consumers who accidentally ordered a service on www.service-rundfunkbeitrag.de before June 28, 2024 can still cancel their contract and request a refund or refuse payment.
The vzbv and the consumer advice center Saxony-Anhalt had already issued a warning to SSS-Software Special Service GmbH. Since the provider did not provide a sufficient cease-and-desist declaration, the vzbv has now filed a lawsuit with the Koblenz Higher Regional Court.
According to the vzbv, the non-transparent presentation of costs on the website must be prohibited. According to the vzbv’s estimates, more than 90,000 consumers have been duped by the website so far. The federal association’s consumer advocates are also considering a class action lawsuit. This instrument can be used to reclaim amounts already paid.
Good to know: All online services relating to the broadcasting fee are free of charge. This includes registering or deregistering an apartment or submitting changes to the contribution account. The relevant online forms are available on the rundfunkbeitrag.de website.