Debt help: Misleading contracts to be investigated

05/02/2010

Debt help may be needed by consumers who have been deceived by misleading small print in contracts.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched a market study in to the ways in which contracts might disadvantage consumers.

Mobile phone contracts are one such area where consumers mistakenly risk high charges if they contradict rules in the small print of a deal.

Heather Clayton, senior director of OFT's consumer market group, commented: "We often see situations in many different markets where people lose out as a result of not understanding contracts."

She added: "We want to understand the cause of these problems and look for remedies that will not only protect consumers, but also help those businesses that are trying to provide clarity to their customers."

The study intends to look at many different types of contracts and will assess the clarity and effectiveness of those presented online, in a face-to-face sales pitch and over the telephone.

Posted by Fiona Smith

Tags; Budgeting Advice,

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