Telemarketing, the new crackdown on call centers starts today

The new squeeze on the aggressive telemarketing. From today the companies of electricity and gas they will no longer be able to contact consumers to propose commercial offersexcept in cases where the customer called or explicitly expressed the desire to receive them.

The novelty was introduced by Bill decree passed into law last April and integrated into consumer code. The provision aims to protect consumers in matters of supply contracts of electricity and gas, counteracting unsolicited telephone commercial solicitations, the so-called aggressive telemarketing/teleselling.

General ban on commercial contacts

In particular, there is a general ban on telephone commercial solicitations towards consumers, which does not only concern calls but also includes sending messages. The customer can then be contacted if he has directly made a request or expressed one specific consent to receive commercial proposals. Furthermore, telephone contacts must be made from a number that uniquely identifies the company and will be considered the contracts are void stipulated in violation of the provisions introduced. Finally, the law provides that consumers can report any violations to Guarantor for the protection of personal data e all’Agcomwhich can proceed with the suspension of the telephone lines used. It is also envisaged that the Privacy Guarantor, in the presence of a significant number of reports of calls without prior consent, may ask Agcom to proceed with the suspension in question.

The reaction of Codacons

He rejoices Codacons which speaks of “a revolution for consumers, which affects both the hateful phenomenon of telemarketing and online purchases”. A revolution, the association continues, “which places the obligation on operators to demonstrate the validity of the contract stipulated, but which does not conclude the telemarketing process. In fact, the unique three-digit identification number to be assigned to electricity and gas operators is still missing, a measure provided for by the decree and being examined by theAgcomwhich will help consumers to immediately identify the caller.”

New protections for e-commerce

The association also reminds you that from today another new feature comes into force to protect consumers who make purchases online shopping. I’m here e-commerce in fact, they must provide a function that allows you to more easily exercise the right of withdrawala procedure provided for by the new rules on contracts concluded remotely which makes it simpler and more intuitive to request a return for products or services purchased on the web or via app.