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Consumers that have called the premium-rate number of debt collector Corpus Justitia to be reimbursed

Consumers that have contacted debt collection agency Corpus Justitia calling a premium-rate number in connection with fake invoices will get their call charges reimbursed. This was announced by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) today. Over a period of eight hours, consumers made 4,354 calls to the number in question. In total, EUR 22,000 was charged. Consumers that have been harmed will be reimbursed through their phone bills.

Fake invoices

In early August 2013, Corpus Justitia sent out fake collection notices. Worried consumers then called the premium-rate number of Corpus Justitia wanting to ask what amount they allegedly had to pay. They never got anyone on the phone, and, in some cases, they were put on hold for 20 minutes. The charges of the premium-rate number in question were EUR 0.45 per minute. In August, ACM already took down the premium-rate number following indications about Corpus Justitia that consumer information desk ConsuWijzer had been receiving.

Reimbursement within two months

Because ACM stepped in, consumers that have called the premium-rate number of Corpus Justitia do not have to pay the charges associated therewith. Telephone providers that have already collected those phone charges are required to reimburse consumers that have been harmed within two months.