Bulgaria's Consumer Protection Watchdog Brings Collective Actions against 3 Mobile Operators

Bulgaria's Commission for Consumer Protection (KZP) is filing collective actions against the three mobile operators functioning in the country due to unfair provisions in fixed-term contracts.

The clause envisages an excessive penalty amounting to all monthly fees due until the expiration date of the contract in the case of a termination initiated by the customer, regardless of the reason.

As a result, when a consumer wants to terminate the agreement due to poor quality of service, for instance, or defective performance on the part of the supplier, or an inability of the mobile operator to provide services following a change of address, etc, the consumer is obliged to pay an excessive penalty to the mobile operator, according to a media statement of KZP.

At an earlier stage of the procedure, the consumer protection watchdog sent letters to the three mobile operators, recommending that the unfair terms be fixed by certain deadlines. However, the companies failed to comply. KZP is bringing collective actions against the three mobile operators, seeking that the provisions be declared null and void.