phones and internet: your rights – lesson 1: understanding costs and contracts

UNDERSTANDING COSTS & CONTRACTS

Developed by

Buying and/or connecting a service

When you:

Connect a landline/home phone

Buy and connect a mobile phone

Connect to the internet

Agreement with company

The company will want you to agree to pay them for the service.

This agreement is called a CONTRACT

The contract may be paperwork that you have to sign.

It may be a verbal agreement, one that you talk about

Some contracts can be both in writing AND a verbal agreement

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Contracts can be made with a company on the phone or mobile phone.

They will ask you questions which you have to answer.

Contracts can be made by filling in information on the internet and agreeing to questions

Fine Print

Fine Print is small writing on contracts.

Often this says what extra money you have to pay for services that you may not know you have agreed to.

Often this writing tells you extra money you may have to pay that you did not know you had to.

Before buying a mobile phone, connecting to a landline/ home phone or connecting to the internet there are lots of things to

UNDERSTAND AND THINK ABOUT.

Ask an expert to help you.

DO NOT sign any paperwork unless you understand it

Do Not agree to contracts that you do not understand.

Do not be afraid to say NO

DON’T BE PRESSURED by salespeople whether in a shop or at your door into signing paperwork.

DO NOT AGREE to any contract on the phone or mobile phone that you do not understand.

DO NOT fill in anything or tick any boxes on the internet that you do not understand.

People who can help you

Settlement Workers

Case Workers

Community Legal Centres - http://www.naclc.org.au/

Financial Counsellors - 1800 007 007 http://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/

Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman –Phone: 1800 062 058Write to: PO Box 276Collins Street West Vic 8007Visit: Level 3, 595 Collins Street, MelbourneOnline: www.tio.com.auTTY1800 675 692 National Relay Service133 677 or www.relayservice.com.auFax our consumer complaint form to1800 630 614