Caution
Online Rip-Off
Coaching rip-off still going strong
Dubious coaching providers are still very active. Hardly any other rip-off industry knows how to use the potential of social media and target group advertising so skilfully to get money from the unsuspecting. We give those affected recommendations for action and warn urgently against cost traps amounting to several thousand euros!
Fraud traps in social media
Consumers often fall prey to psychological stimuli that cause them to act impulsively and rashly. Read here about scams on social media and the new CPC Regulation, which improves the warning system and enforcement of consumer offences in the EU.
International fraudsters jailed for fake binary options
In a cross-border operation, Europol and Eurojust recently broke up a ring that enriched itself with fake investments in binary options.
Dating agency subscription trap - not only for Valentine's Day
Subscription traps are in high season on Valentine's Day. But all year round, consumers find themselves in subscriptions they didn't really want because subscription providers play tricks.
Compensation for fraudulent "Next Gen" draws
Since 2013, the US company Next Gen Inc. has been active with various dubious raffles on social media such as Facebook. Mostly elderly people fell for their alleged prize draws and lotteries. As of today, victims from Austria have the opportunity to recover part of the damages they suffered.
Scams
Usury with books
Facsimiles, i.e. replicas, of magnificent antique volumes, bibles or encyclopaedias are sold for thousands of euros in door-to-door sales. The victims are mainly elderly or old people. They were promised a safe investment. It later transpires that they were sold relatively worthless books.
Beware of hacker SMS about alleged parcel delivery
Attention: A fake SMS message about a fake parcel delivery is currently doing the rounds among Austrian Android smartphones. If you click on the link it contains, spy software will be installed on your mobile phone!
WHO scam and other Corona related rip-offs on the net
Corona scams on the net and in email inboxes. Crises cause confusion and usually attract scammers. Here is an overview of the current Corona-related scams
Trivago convicted for deceiving consumers
Room price manipulation in Australia: On the comparison platform Trivago, Australian customers were not suggested the cheapest hotel rooms but search results with the highest profits were issued for the platform.
Copyright & Counterfeiting
Safer Streaming
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the market for streaming services was in a solid growth process. The lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 have boosted demand even further, with leading streaming services even agreeing to reduce the video quality of streams at the request of the EU Commission to free up bandwidth for more important services. Even though the first rush of new customers to the streaming platforms has already slowed down somewhat, the increased demand in the area of video streaming has also led to an increased number of consumers who have fallen for fraudulent offers. Many consumers do not notice if they have signed up for a dubious streaming service. The rude awakening often comes a few days later when letters arrive from lawyers or debt collection agencies demanding several hundred euros for allegedly completed annual memberships. Due to the numerous requests for help from injured parties, the European Consumer Centre Austria (ECC) has now compiled information for consumers on the subject of video streaming.
Beware of counterfeit goods
The internet is full of promising offers. Onlineshops outdo each other with cheap prices and discount campaigns. It can be hard to distinguish which trader is trustworthy and which is not. Our ECC-Net has some tips on how you can avoid traps and fakes.
Amazon, Booking and Expedia take action against fake reviews
Amazon and travel platforms Booking and Expedia agreed to stop false online reviews to restore trust in customer reviews.
Downloading music and videos
Downloading songs and movies is very popular. But consumers are often unsure whether it is legal or not.
Warning against law firm Schmidt
Warning: Reminders regarding copyright infringements are a fraud trying to rip off frightened consumers
Free WiFi: Provider is not liable
20.09.2016 / Verdict of the ECJ
