B.C. KILLS NEGATIVE BILLING
By Adnews Staff
The B.C. government has introduced legislation that will limit the use of negative-option billing in that province. Under the plan, businesses who use the practice must give customers 60 days' notice before providing unsolicited services. If that notice is not given, corporations face fines of up to $100,000, and individuals $10,000. They could also get a jail term of up to one year. The amendments to the Consumer Protection Act also make it easier for consumers to get a refund if they pay for services they have not ordered. They will have up to two years to get a refund. If they don't get a refund or credit within 30 days, they can ask for compensation equal to three times what they're owed, or $100 - whichever is greater. The new plan came about as a result of the furor last winter over Rogers Cablesystems negative-option marketing campaign. Consumers had to make the move to cancel new TV channel packages so they wouldn't be billed for them.