site.btaConsumer Protection Commission Fines Mobile Operator EUR 50,000 for Unlawfully Suspending Services to Paying Customer

The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has imposed a pecuniary sanction on a mobile operator for an unfair commercial practice, consisting in the unlawful restriction of access to television and internet services for a consumer who had been fully compliant with payments under the relevant contracts, the Commission said on Monday.

The CPC inspection was carried out following a complaint from a consumer who reported that access to internet and television services had been suspended despite all due amounts for those services having been paid on time. The investigation established that the restriction was imposed in order to pressure the consumer into paying a disputed liability under a separate mobile services contract.

The CPC found that such actions constitute an unfair aggressive commercial practice. The behaviour violates applicable legislation as well as a final and binding CPC order prohibiting the interruption of services in the absence of a legal basis. The infringement was committed repeatedly, affects fundamental consumer rights, and undermines trust in the electronic communications market. For these reasons, the trader was fined EUR 50,000, the Commission said.

The CPC reminded all traders that they may not restrict or suspend access to paid services in order to collect disputed or unrelated claims under other contracts. Consumers who encounter similar practices may submit signals and complaints to the CPC through the Commission’s official channels.