Free operator fined 2.2 million euros for “deceptive commercial practice”

The company canceled telephone orders made by customers without refunding them “within a reasonable time”, according to the body responsible for combating fraud.

The operator Free was fined 2.2 million euros for “deceptive commercial practice”, declared the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) on Monday December 2. The company, which has already accepted payment of the fine, is guilty of having canceled telephone orders placed by customers without refunding them. “within a reasonable time”specified the DGCCRF in its press release.

The group has also undertaken to cease the commercial practices in question, which occurred between August 2020 and January 2022. The company has also agreed to remove from its general conditions the possibility of“make compensation” between the sums paid for ordering a mobile phone and the sums owed to the operator by consumers. Asked by AFP, Free did not wish to comment.

Furthermore, the operator was convicted on Thursday by the Paris Court of Appeal, on another case, for misleading advertising on a 5G mobile plan offer. In this context, the company will have to pay the sum of 15,000 euros to the Familles Rurales association, for damages.