Consumer's Telegram January 2023

Insert of n. 6 - Editorial office: Centro Europeo Consumatori (European Consumer Centre Italy - Bolzano office)


E-COMMERCE

How to Recognise 'Dark Patterns'

'Dark Patterns' are interface elements of e-commerce sites created to induce users to perform certain actions, such as providing personal data or purchasing certain products. The most common examples of these are products that are quickly added at the end of the order process, banners that are highlighted specifically to entice us to click on them, 'scolding' messages for refusing a discount, subscriptions that are activated with a click, but are almost impossible to cancel. Such marketing strategies applied to the design of web sites, are currently not yet subject to specific regulation, but are among the commercial practices that are going be regulated, also at European level, in the near future. They do not always qualify as unfair commercial practice but, in any case, it is important to know that they exist and learn to recognise them, in order to become aware consumers and protect our online purchases. For more information.

WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS

Internet Fraud is Becoming More and More Frequent

More and more people fall victim to Internet fraud and turn to the European Consumer Centre (ECC) for advice. It is often not possible to help them, and it is therefore particularly important to learn to distinguish trustworthy providers from fraudsters. The latter, for instance, operate by setting up 'fake shops', i.e. they pretend to sell branded products that are mostly heavily discounted. In the end, however, the goods are either not delivered at all or the consumer receives a fake product or one that is completely different from the one ordered. The consumers who irretrievably lose the most money are those who invest their savings in fraudulent online trading. These are investment offers from alleged companies that often not only lack the necessary licences, but have the sole purpose of embezzling the victim's savings. To keep up to date on this topic, the ECC also discussed it with the Postal Police as part of its regular annual meeting. Read more about online traps on our website and how to recognise them.

TRAVEL

Croatia Joins the Euro

Since 1st January, Croatia has been joining the euro and the old kuna currency is about to retire. The conversion rate between the euro and the Croatian kuna has been set at 7.53450 kuna per 1 euro. Those who still have some banknotes of the old currency in their pockets can exchange them during their next holiday in Croatia at post offices and commercial banks until 31 December 2023. The exchange is free of charge up to a maximum amount of 100 HRK in banknotes and 100 HRK in coins per transaction. The national central banks of other euro area countries will also exchange banknotes free of charge, but only until 28 February 2023. For more information.

CASE OF THE MONTH
A British consumer wanted to realise her dream of owning her own vintage Fiat 500. She ordered it from an Italian company and paid EUR 6,500. The delivery of the vehicle was delayed so much that the consumer felt compelled to ask for a refund of the purchase price. She agreed to a repayment in instalments. Unfortunately, however, no payment was made.
After trying unsuccessfully to reclaim the purchase price, the consumer contacted the International Consumer Centre UK, which is linked to the network of European Consumer Centres. The British Centre in turn asked the European Consumer Centre Italy to intervene with the seller. The ECC managed to agree amicably with the seller on new payment terms acceptable to both parties. Although the consumer's dream of owning an old-fashioned Fiat 500 did not come true, she at least managed to recover all the money she had spent.