2024-08-25 16:41:32
Because of the similarity in name to Telekom, customers often unintentionally sign contracts with 1N Telecom – with unforeseen consequences.
Consumer advocates are warning against the DSL provider 1N Telecom: The provider is repeatedly confused with Deutsche Telekom and is exploiting this with a “perfidious scam,” explained the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv). Since the beginning of 2023, more than 11,000 complaints have been received about this, and the vzbv has now filed an injunction.
1N Telecom writes to consumers and offers them 24-month DSL contracts, explained the consumer advocates. If interested parties accept the offer, 1N Telecom applies for the porting of the phone number.
Believing that they had signed a contract with Telekom, many then objected to the porting, the vzbv explained. 1N Telecom then demanded “compensation of 419.88 euros and had the money collected by a debt collection agency.”
“Older people in particular are affected, as numerous consumer complaints show,” explained Sebastian Reiling from vzbv. “We believe that the company’s high claims for damages against consumers are completely unjustified.”
According to vzbv, the provider is making itself legally vulnerable by only offering 24-month contracts. “At the same time, a contract with a maximum term of twelve months would have to be offered.” The association is also considering a class action lawsuit, and affected consumers should come forward.
The Telekom competitor keeps attracting attention with dubious advertising letters. Last year, the company sent, among other things, irritating advertising mail to Telekom customers, who then unintentionally signed contracts with the DSL provider.
Because the provider’s letters contained personal data such as the recipients’ address and telephone number, they were surprised where the company got this information from.
“Many people think that it is a letter from Telekom, which is not the case, and therefore sign the offer,” said Felix Flosbach at the time. Flosbach is a lawyer at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center.
Consumer advocates advise people to cancel unwanted contracts. This is possible up to 14 days after the contract has been signed. “You can use the cancellation form that providers such as 1N Telecom GmbH have included in their advertising letter.”