Cell phone contracts made friendlier in NS
Posted Apr 27, 2012 11:24:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Cell phone users in Nova Scotia will be able to cancel their contracts at any time and only pay a $50 termination fee once the provincial government legislates changes to the Consumer Protection Act.
The Minister of Service Nova Scotia announced several changes to the bill in the legislature Friday, he says were prompted by consumer complaints.
“Concerns have come up that consumers who enter into cell phone contracts may not have sufficient protection, and feel they may be the victims of unfair and unclear contracts with excessive cancellation fees, and other business practices generally not favourable to them,” said Minister John MacDonell.
Changes will include:
– Preventing companies from making major changes to the contract such as increasing costs
– Allowing customers to cancel their contract at any time
– Limiting contract cancellation fees, and capping them at $50 total
– Requiring companies to provide the minimum monthly cost of the service in the contract and in their advertising
– Requiring plain language and basic information in the contract
– Requiring disclosure of warranty information
– Requiring greater clarity around the optional services that can be added without having to extend or renew the contract
– Restricting automatic renewals/extensions
– Requiring cell phone service providers to include consumer protection information on responsible phone user and cyber bullying with the service contract
