SEVILLE, 06 (IRIN)
Four out of ten complaints filed by consumers during 2011 to Facua Andalusians were directed at the companies that provide telephone services and Internet access, which accumulated the highest values of complaints in its history, as reported by the association of consumers in a statement.
Thus, the total percentage of claims to these telecommunications companies – 39 percent – is nearly six points higher than last year, when the allegations against the sector reached 33.2 percent. Furthermore, in Andalusia are nearly two points higher than those representing the balance of Facua nationally, where the ‘telcos’ are at 37.4 percent.
The main reasons for the complaints of users are breaches of commercial offers, sending invoices after the users have requested the floor or abusive threats penalties void contracts before finalizing the remaining commitments, together with the collection of calls made or discharged unsolicited services or fraudulently advertised
Andalusia Facua
warns that this is the sector most reported by consumers for a decade “to the scandalous inaction of the Department of Consumer Affairs of the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries in telecommunications and consumer protection, the Industry and Health. “
Thus Facua calls on the Minister of Health, María Jesús Montero, measures that in addition to improving the regulation of telecommunications services, ensure the control of the sector by the Andalusian government. It has also expressed the need for both the Board and the Government of Spain, apply and disseminate publicly “penalties commensurate with the serious fraud committed in the same”.
BANKING, INSURANCE, ELECTRICITY AND AIRLINES
After
telecommunications sectors accumulated a greater number of complaints from consumers Andalusians are banking (7.9 percent), insurance (6.4 percent) and electricity (5, 8 percent).
Fifthtransport is located mainly by air, representing a 5.5 per cent of complaints from users. It follows, the claims related to the purchase and repair of electrical and electronic equipment, amounting to 4.9 percent, and home ownership, 4.4 percent.
In 2011, in Andalusia Facua processed a total of 22,920 inquiries and complaints. 13,073 were 4,027 requests for advice and complaints handled by its territorial organizations and 5,820 inquiries received through the website Andalusia.
STATEMENT OF ALLEGATIONS
In the financial sector, include allegations of illegally collected fees and the application of unfair terms in consumer contracts or mortgage loans. For their part, insurers are reported mainly for refusing to pay the amounts or cover services provided by the contracts.
power supply, include complaints about the lack of meter reading for long periods, then applying disproportionate bills and grow the business offers misleading claims. Furthermore, the transport sector, the protagonists are the airlines, reported for refusing to pay compensation or face long delays or cancellations, bloating advertised prices or charge for certain items illegally.
Finally, in regard to problems related to the purchase and repair of electrical and electronic equipment, consumer complaints are based on the refusal to take the legal guarantees and long delays in the repair of defective products . As for buying a home, complaints are mainly focused on delays in delivery and the existence of construction defects or failures of the quality offered.
MASSIVE IRREGULARITIES REPORTED BYqueries raised by consumers and claims processed on behalf of its partners, add the allegations made automatically by Facua Andalusia and their associations as a result of market control actions and analysis of the irregularities that disclosed to consumers.
In 2011, 787 complaints filed officially. Of these, 466 were for possible violations of the Law of snuff and 286 for violating the rules of pricing information, complaint forms or architectural barriers in catering establishments.