Class action against SSS GmbH: payment recovery until September 1
Payment claims against SSS-Software Special Service GmbH can still be submitted free of charge until September 1. The class action continues.
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SSS-Software Special Service GmbH had set up an online form and acted as a service provider for registration, deregistration and re-registration with the public broadcasters' contribution service. These are actually free processes for which the company charged just under 30 euros. The reference to these fees was not clear. The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) therefore filed a class action against the company. However, claims for repayment can only be submitted free of charge for a short time.
Consumers and small businesses can join the class action against SSS by registering in the register of claims. Registration costs nothing, and there is no risk of legal costs for those affected who wish to join the lawsuit. It is easy to register for the class action using a form at the Federal Office of Justice. The consumer advice center also provides those affected with information to help them fill out the form correctly.
Registration of repayment claims
SSS-Software Special Service GmbH is now insolvent. This makes it difficult for those affected to get a refund. However, they can register the claim with the insolvency administrator. The administrator has set a deadline of September 1, 2025 for creditors to register their claims with him. "Late registrations will incur a fee of €22.00 ," writes the vzbv in the FAQ on the class action. Those affected can fill out a registration form and send it by post. An online form is also available, but this must be printed out and sent, and registration on the portal is also required.
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According to vzbv estimates, more than 90,000 consumers had fallen for the online portal "Service Rundfunkbeitrag" by July 2024. Until then, it was marked as advertising content and appeared at the top of the Google search results when a search contained the terms "Rundfunkbeitrag", "Rundfunkgebühr", "GEZ" or similar. Forms were available on the site to notify the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio contribution service of a change of address or bank details. However, the site charged 29.99 euros for this, and later even 39.99 euros. Consumers only noticed this when they received the bill – the "references to these costs were so unclear that many consumers overlooked them", writes the vzbv.
(dmk)
