Mobile contract on the phone: did a contract come about at all?

If a telecommunications contract (mobile, DSL) is offered and 'concluded' to you on the phone, that does not automatically mean an effective contract exists. For contracts over telecommunications services initiated by phone, a subsequent confirmation in text form is often required for the contract to come about at all.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Contracts over telecommunications services concluded by phone usually become effective only when you expressly approve them after receiving a confirmation in text form. Without this confirmation, often no contract comes about.

Regardless of this, with contracts concluded on the phone there is the 14-day right of revocation (§ 312g BGB). So you can free yourself in both ways if you do not want the contract.

What you should do now

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1. Check the confirmation
Did you receive a confirmation in text form after the call and expressly consent? If not, the contract is often not effective.
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2. Dispute the contract
Dispute to the provider that an effective contract came about and demand the cessation of the claims.
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3. Revoke as a precaution
Declare the revocation as a precaution within 14 days to be on the safe side.
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4. Stop direct debits
Stop any direct debits (reverse the direct debit) and object to unjustified reminders.

How to spot the scam

You are billed, although you never confirmed anything in text form.
On the phone pressure was applied to 'just quickly confirm'.
Reminders come for a contract you did not want.

Frequently asked questions

Does a mobile contract come about immediately on the phone?

Frequently not. Contracts over telecommunications services initiated by phone usually become effective only when you receive a confirmation in text form and expressly consent to it. Without this approval, often no contract comes about.

What if I did not confirm anything?

Then you can dispute that an effective contract exists and demand the cessation of the claims. Stop any direct debits and object to reminders. As a precaution, you can additionally declare the revocation.

Do I still have a right of revocation?

Yes. Even if a contract should have come about, with a phone conclusion you usually have a 14-day right of revocation (§ 312g BGB). This way you can free yourself from the unwanted contract in any case.

Take action now

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

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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.