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4Com Misselling: CISAS Route, Your Rights & How to Complain

4Com Misselling: CISAS Route, Your Rights & How to Complain

If You Believe You Were Mis-Sold by 4Com, You Are Not Alone

The 1-star reviews on uk.trustpilot.com/review/4com.co.uk contain a consistent set of complaints that, taken together, paint a picture many UK business owners will recognise: sales calls where the full terms were not clearly communicated, contracts that ran for years longer than the customer understood, and separate finance agreements that were never properly explained.

We are Compare The Networks, an independent, OFCOM-regulated business telecoms comparison service. We have been helping UK businesses compare mobile, VoIP and broadband deals since 2008. We are not affiliated with 4Com. This article explains what misselling looks like in UK business telecoms, how the CISAS complaint route works for 4Com customers, and the single most important rule in any dispute: keep everything in writing, and never accept a verbal resolution over the phone.

What Counts as Misselling?

Misselling is when you are induced to sign a contract by statements that turn out to be false, misleading, or materially incomplete. In 4Com's case, the 1-star Trustpilot reviews describe misselling falling into a handful of categories.

1. Contract Length Misrepresentation

Reviewers describe being told the deal was 2 years and only discovering, sometimes years later, that the equipment lease actually runs for 7 years. See our detailed 4Com 7-year contracts article.

2. Finance Agreement Concealment

Reviewers state they were never told a separate finance agreement with Propel Finance or BNP Paribas was part of the deal. One reviewer put it bluntly: "At no point was I told about the finance agreement." Full breakdown in our 4Com finance agreement trap article.

3. Price Misrepresentation

Reviewers describe monthly pricing that looked attractive in the first 18-24 months, then trebled after the discount period. Customers say the post-discount rate was not made clear at the point of sale. See our 4Com price increases article.

4. "Same-Day Signing" Pressure

Reviewers describe being pressured to sign e-signature documents on the same call as the pitch, with no time to read the terms. Our 4Com sales tactics article covers this in depth.

5. Verbal Promises Contradicted by Written Small Print

Reviewers describe verbal assurances during the sales call that turned out not to be in the written contract. If it is not in writing, it is not binding — which is the trap.

6. Hidden Bill Charges

Reviewers describe optional add-ons appearing on the first bill that they say were never discussed, and the opt-out structure meaning customers had to actively cancel rather than opt in.

Why Business Contracts Have Fewer Protections

This is the legal reality that makes misselling in business telecoms so damaging. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give consumers a 14-day cooling-off period on distance contracts. That law does not apply to business-to-business contracts. A sole trader, micro-business or limited company signing a 4Com deal is treated as a business for these purposes.

This is the gap. Consumers can change their mind within 14 days. Businesses generally cannot. Our 4Com no cooling-off period article explains this further.

The protection businesses do have is misrepresentation law. If you were induced to sign by a false or misleading statement — or by a material omission — the contract can be challenged. That is the legal basis for most telecoms misselling claims, and it is the route CISAS will review.

What Trustpilot Reviewers Say About 4Com's Sales Tactics

According to 1-star reviews on uk.trustpilot.com/review/4com.co.uk, recurring complaints about the sales process include:

  • Cold calls from 4Com's Bournemouth sales centre.
  • Pressure to sign on the same call with no time to review.
  • Contract length (2 vs 7 years on the equipment) unclear until after signing.
  • A separate finance company (Propel, BNP) not clearly flagged as a distinct agreement.
  • "Free" inclusions that appeared as separate charges on the first bill.
  • Verbal promises that were not written into the contract.
  • Rates trebling after the 18-24 month discount period.
  • Blacklist threats when customers try to push back.
  • Forced renewal — to keep the low rate you have to sign a new 7-year agreement.
  • Confusion about which entity (4Com, Hihi, Campfire) you were actually dealing with.

We are not accusing 4Com of any specific wrongdoing. We are reporting what reviewers publicly state. Read them yourself and make up your own mind. Our 4Com Trustpilot reviews article analyses the recurring themes.

The CISAS Route: The Most Important Part of This Article

CISAS (Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme) is the independent adjudicator for telecoms disputes in the UK. If you are in a dispute with 4Com — or any UK telecoms provider — and cannot resolve it directly, CISAS is the route.

CISAS is free for consumers and small businesses. The adjudicator reviews the written evidence and makes a binding decision. Providers are required to comply.

For 4Com, the process works like this:

Step 1: Complain to 4Com in Writing

You cannot go to CISAS first. You must give 4Com an opportunity to resolve. Email — do not phone — their complaints address. Be specific.

Step 2: Wait for Resolution or 8 Weeks

Either 4Com resolves the complaint to your satisfaction, issues a deadlock letter saying the matter is unresolved, or 8 weeks pass without resolution. Any of those three triggers your right to go to CISAS.

Step 3: Submit to CISAS

Go to cisas.org.uk and file your claim. Upload your evidence: written complaint, 4Com's response, contracts, proposal documents, email trail, bills, your account of the sales call.

Step 4: CISAS Decision

If CISAS rules in your favour, it can order 4Com to cancel the contract, issue a refund, amend future bills, or take other remedies. The decision is binding. Full step-by-step in our 4Com complaints CISAS article.

Critical Advice: Keep Everything in Writing

This is the single most important rule in any telecoms dispute. It applies to 4Com, Hihi, Campfire, and every other UK provider — including us if you ever needed to complain.

Why Written Evidence Wins at CISAS

CISAS adjudicators decide on the written evidence submitted. They do not interview you over a cup of tea. They read the documents. If you accept a verbal resolution and 4Com later disputes what was agreed, you have nothing to submit.

What to Do When 4Com Calls About Your Complaint

Providers often try to resolve complaints by phone. It is faster and quieter than a paper trail. You are under no obligation to accept that.

If 4Com (or Hihi, or Campfire) calls about your complaint, say:

"Please put that in writing and email it to me. I want to review it properly before responding."

Any legitimate company respects this. If they refuse, that refusal is itself useful evidence for CISAS.

Practical Checklist

  • Submit your complaint in writing (email is fine)
  • Ask for 4Com's response in writing
  • Ask for any proposed resolution in writing before agreeing
  • Keep every email, letter, Direct Debit mandate, and document
  • If you have to take a phone call, follow it up with an email summarising what was said and asking them to confirm
  • Date-stamp everything. Keep originals.

What Evidence to Gather

If you think you have been mis-sold by 4Com, start building the file now. Do not wait.

Contract documents:

  • The signed service agreement with 4Com
  • The separate finance agreement with Propel, BNP or other
  • Any quotes, proposals or summary documents sent before signing
  • The DocuSign / e-signature certificate showing the dates and what was signed

Communications:

  • All emails to and from the 4Com sales team
  • Letters received
  • Notes on what was said during each phone call, with dates

Sales call recording:

  • Request the recording of the sales call in writing. Providers retain these and GDPR gives you a right to see data about you. Reference the call date, approximate time, and your company name.

Bills:

  • Every 4Com invoice
  • Every separate Propel / BNP invoice or Direct Debit line
  • Any charge you did not understand

Service issues (if relevant):

  • Dates and durations of outages
  • Dropped calls, broadband down-time
  • Impact on your business, with figures where possible

The Misselling Claim Itself

When you write your formal complaint, be specific and unemotional. A good misselling complaint has three parts.

1. What You Were Told

State exactly what you understood the deal to be. Quote the sales email or proposal where you have it. Reference the phone call where you do not.

2. What the Contract Actually Says

State the actual terms — length, price, features, inclusions, separate agreements. Reference the specific clauses where you can.

3. Why You Believe This Is Misselling

Explain the gap. Be factual. The adjudicator wants evidence, not outrage.

Example Opening

"I signed a 4Com telecoms contract on [date]. During the sales call on [date] the salesperson told me the contract was 2 years at £[X] per month inclusive. The signed paperwork contains a 7-year equipment lease with [Propel Finance / BNP Paribas] at £[Y] per month, which was not raised as a separate agreement during the call. I believe this is misrepresentation. I am formally complaining under 4Com's complaints procedure and I request cancellation of both agreements without penalty. Please respond in writing."

What Happens If CISAS Rules in Your Favour

CISAS can order a range of remedies:

  • Contract cancellation with no early termination fee
  • Refund of charges already paid
  • Amendment of future charges
  • Financial compensation (capped — check current limits on cisas.org.uk)
  • Formal apology

The ruling is binding on 4Com. If they fail to comply, CISAS has enforcement procedures.

Where the complaint involves the finance agreement specifically (Propel, BNP), a CISAS ruling on misselling typically includes an order for 4Com to resolve the separate lease as part of the remedy — so that you are not left paying the finance company after the service agreement has been cancelled. Get that confirmed in writing as part of any resolution.

What If You Just Want Out?

Not every customer wants to go through an 8-week CISAS process. Some just want to pay the exit fee and leave. If that is you:

If your early termination fee is less than the savings from switching, leaving early can still be the right move. Especially if you are mid-contract with rates trebled after the discount period.

Reporting to OFCOM

OFCOM does not resolve individual disputes, but it monitors industry patterns. If you believe you were mis-sold, report it at ofcom.org.uk. Individual reports do not resolve individual cases, but they contribute to the wider monitoring picture — and pattern complaints eventually drive regulatory action.

How to Avoid Being Mis-Sold Again

Whatever provider you go with next, protect yourself:

  1. Never agree on the first call. A legitimate provider gives you time.
  2. Ask: how many agreements am I signing? If the answer is more than one, ask for each one, from each party, in writing, before you sign.
  3. Ask the contract length of every agreement — not "the contract" but every agreement.
  4. Check the total cost for the full term — not the introductory monthly rate.
  5. Read the 1-star reviews for the provider before signing.
  6. Get an annual price increase figure in £ and pence — OFCOM banned CPI/RPI-linked increases for consumers from January 2025, and most providers have updated.
  7. Compare at least three options. Business telecoms pricing varies widely.
  8. Use an independent comparison service — we are paid by the networks, not by you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has 4Com been mis-selling contracts?

1-star reviews on uk.trustpilot.com/review/4com.co.uk describe a range of complaints including contract-length misrepresentation (told 2 years, signed 7), undisclosed finance agreements with Propel and BNP, and rates trebling after the discount period. We report what reviewers publicly state rather than make direct accusations.

Can I cancel my 4Com contract if I was mis-sold?

Potentially yes. Complain in writing to 4Com first. If unresolved within 8 weeks or you get a deadlock letter, escalate to CISAS. The adjudicator can order cancellation — including the separate Propel/BNP lease — if they find misselling. Keep everything in writing and never accept a verbal resolution.

Do business telecoms contracts have a cooling-off period?

Generally no. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to business-to-business contracts. Once signed, you are bound unless you can establish misrepresentation.

Should I accept 4Com's complaint resolution over the phone?

No. Always insist on written communication. If your complaint progresses to CISAS, written evidence carries far more weight than your recollection of a phone call. Say: "Please put that in writing and email it to me."

Is CISAS free?

Yes — CISAS is free for consumers and small businesses. Check cisas.org.uk for current eligibility and any financial limits on awards.

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About this article. Claims reported here are attributed to public reviews on Trustpilot and similar platforms. They represent the opinions of the reviewers cited, not statements of fact by Compare The Networks. Brands named may dispute these claims. If you are a brand representative who believes any content requires correction, please contact us.

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