Consumer's Telegram December 2022

Insert of n. 93 - Editorial office: Centro Europeo Consumatori (European Consumer Centre Italy - Bolzano office)

E-COMMERCE

Some Advice from the European Consumer Centre for Safer Shopping

In times of spiralling costs, the hunt for the best price is crucial for consumers looking for Christmas presents on the Internet. However, slogans such as 'the best deal' often conceal false promises and sometimes even outright fraud and deception. The price is not always as cheep as it claims to be, reviews of products are sometimes 'fake' and if mandatory information is missing on the seller's website, such as a warranty and withdrawal notice or even the seller's identity and geographical address, it is better to buy elsewhere! On the occasion of Black Friday, the European Consumer Centre (ECC) has collected five tips for safe online shopping; needless to say, they apply to all seasons.


ONLINE SCAMS

Beware of pellet and firewood offers

The energy crisis evidently also inspires Internet fraudsters: they offer pellets and firewood at relatively low prices, usually only accepting bank transfer as the only means of payment. Sometimes they also use the name, address and even VAT number of other companies that really exist, thus giving the appearance of reliability. The ordered goods, however, never arrive and the money paid is irretrievably lost. ECC Italy has also received several reports from consumers who have lost several thousand euros for pellets ordered on the Internet that were never delivered. Read on the ECC website how to recognise and avoid online scams.

ECC ITALY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow us for more tips and news

Did you know that ECC is also present on social networks? Follow us on our channels so you don't miss any of our tips: On Instagram on Facebook and on Twitter.

CASE OF THE MONTH
A Belgian diving enthusiast had spent his diving holiday in Italy. On his way back home, however, he had an unpleasant surprise. To get to the airport to return home, the consumer used the service of a bus company, placing his three pieces of luggage, (including a bag with his expensive diving equipment) in the boot. It was only when the bus had already been on the road for a while, travelling along a road with many bends, that it was realised that the luggage compartment door was open. The bag with the diving equipment was lost during the journey. The consumer sought compensation from the bus company, which in turn referred the consumer to the insurer, who, however, refused payment because the deductible was too high. The consumer then turned to his European Consumer Centre in Belgium, which forwarded the case to ECC Italy. The latter intervened with the bus company and finally succeeded in convincing it to pay compensation of EUR 2000.