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Unwanted subscriptions on the phone bill? Use a third-party block

Suddenly 'third-party' items or a subscription you never knowingly signed up for appear on your phone bill? That often happens through accidental clicks on advertising banners (WAP billing). You do not have to simply pay these items, and you can block this in future.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Dispute the subscription item

Your chances of getting your money back

You are entitled to a free third-party block (§ 45d TKG): your mobile provider must, on request, permanently block payments to third-party providers.
An effective subscription requires a clear conclusion of contract. An accidental click on an advertising banner is often not enough; you can dispute and reclaim unjustified items.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the bill

    Identify the third-party items and the named provider or service description.

  2. 2

    2. Dispute the items

    Object to the unjustified amounts to your mobile provider in writing and demand a refund.

  3. 3

    3. Set up a third-party block

    Demand the free third-party block so that no such items can be billed in future.

  4. 4

    4. Object to the third-party provider

    Also ask the third-party provider itself to cancel the alleged subscription and stop any further debits.

How to spot the scam

  • Items from 'third-party providers' or 'premium services' on the mobile bill.
  • A subscription you do not remember signing up for.
  • Amounts after clicking an advertising banner in an app or on a website.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay an unwanted third-party subscription?

Not automatically. An effective subscription requires a clear conclusion of contract; an accidental click is often not enough. Dispute the items to your mobile provider and the third-party provider and demand a refund.

How do I prevent such subscriptions in future?

Have a third-party block set up with your mobile provider; it is free of charge (§ 45d TKG). After that, no more payments to third-party providers can be billed via your phone bill.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.