Vodafone to refund customers over third party content charges

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced Vodafone has agreed to offer refunds to customers who were charged for third party content they had not agreed to buy or had purchased unknowingly.

The ACCC is responsible for enforcing this undertaking.

This undertaking applies to Vodafone third party content available between 1 January 2013 and 1 March 2018.

Vodafone has until 4 November 2019 to identify and begin communicating with impacted customers.

Vodafone customers are entitled to a refund or credit if they complained about third party content to Vodafone or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, or if charges were incurred for one of the specified third party content providers and a refund has not yet been provided.

Customers who are unsure if the undertaking applies to them can contact Vodafone on 1300 650 410.

All other residential consumers or small businesses with phone or internet billing issues should first contact their service provider. If the complaint remains unresolved, the residential consumer or small business can make a complaint to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman online or by phone on 1800 062 058.

More information on this undertaking is available on the ACCC website.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For all media enquiries please contact Sarah Carnovale on 0437 548 540 or [email protected].

About the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman provides a free and independent dispute resolution service for consumers and small businesses who have an unresolved complaint about their phone or internet service. Consumers and small businesses should contact www.tio.com.au or 1800 062 058.

The Telecommunications Industry Sector

The Telecommunications industry regulators are the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) http://www.acma.gov.au Media enquiries to 02 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or [email protected] and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) https://www.accc.gov.au Media enquiries to 1300 138 917, [email protected]

Government and the regulators set policy and regulations for the telecommunications sector.

Communications Alliance is the peak body for Australian communications industry http://www.commsalliance.com.au Media enquiries to Sefiani Communications, (www.sefiani.com.au) 61 431 478 558.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is Australia’s peak communications consumer organisation representing individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit groups as consumers of communications products and services. http://accan.org.au/index.php Media enquiries to 0409 966 931 or 02 9288 4000.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from all nations of this land.