Shopkeepers can no longer ask for mobile numbers before generating bill, new government advisory says
With online scams on the rise, revealing your mobile number can expose it to scammers who often carry out these scams through mobile phone and WhatsApp messages. Shopkeepers will no longer ask customers for their mobile numbers for bills.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued an advisory asking the retailers not to force customers to give their personal contact details. In India, it is not mandatory for customers to give their mobile numbers to retailers in order to get a bill.
Do you also get annoyed when shopkeepers ask you to submit your mobile number for generating something? Well, the Government has now spoken against it, and shopkeepers will no longer pester you to provide your mobile number. With online scams on the rise, revealing your mobile number can expose it to scammers who often carry out these scams through mobile phone and WhatsApp messages.
However, this is considered unfair and goes against the Consumer Protection Act. There is no good reason for retailers to collect this information, and it restricts customers unfairly. The Secretary spoke to reporters and emphasised that this is not right.
Sellers say they cannot generate the bill until personal contact details are provided. However, this is an unfair and restrictive trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act and there is no rationality behind collecting the information.
There is also a privacy concern with retailers asking for personal contact details. To address this issue and protect customers, the Ministry has given guidance to the retail industry and industry chambers like CII and FICCI.