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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!

Problems with your baggage

If checked baggage does not arrive at the baggage carousel at the arrival airport, it is often delivered to the hotel days later. Those affected are entitled to have their emergency purchases paid for. Further compensation is available in the event of loss.

Onlinebestellung nicht geliefert - Was tun bei Lieferverzug?

Fast alle haben im Internet aufgegebene Bestellung schon einmal nicht bekommen und vergeblich gewartet. Lieferverzug sollte man nicht hinnehmen. Welche Rechte Sie haben, und wie Sie im Falle einer Nichtlieferung vorgehen sollten, erfahren sie hier.

Bitter pills - risks with online medicines

In this article, we have compiled information on how to recognise a reputable online pharmacy, which products may be sold and purchased at all, and which other legal regulations must be observed.

ECJ clarifies ship passenger rights

A decision of the Euroean Court of Justice strengthened the rights of ship passengers in September 2021. More and more tourists are travelling on Austrian waters, so this ruling is also increasingly relevant in this country. We provide an outlook on these passenger rights and compensation payments due.

Online gambling in Austria

Many affected gamblers do not even know that they can reclaim gambling debts they have incurred at foreign casinos or online casinos. These foreign companies do not have a licence in Austria. Our article explains the background and possibilities.

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!

Connecting Europe Express comes to Austria

The blue Connecting Europe Express is travelling across Europe in September, during the #EUYearofRail, to raise awareness for rail development across Europe.

👷 Tips for service contracts abroad in the EU

In our globalised everyday life, contracting foreign companies is no longer unusual and the freedom to provide services is a fundamental right in the EU. We explain which rules and obligations apply and what you should look out for before placing orders with foreign companies.

ECC as official contact point

The ECC is the official contact point in Austria - contact us about geoblocking, online dispute resolution ODR, danger at your holiday destination or the EU Services Directive!

Customer reviews on the internet

It is no longer possible to imagine e-commerce without customer reviews, but they are not only an elementary part of online shopping. We show where trickery takes place and what to look out for.

No more €22 tax-free allowance for EU imports

As of today, 1 July 2021, the tax exemption for imports into the EU no longer applies to goods with a value of less than 22 euros. We describe what price increases and also improvements this means for end customers.

Warning: eikora.de does not deliver

Numerous complaints have been made to ECC-Net and also to other consumer protection organisations about German online suppliers of bathroom fittings and furniture. The number of problem cases has risen sharply since the end of 2020, better order elsewhere!

Fraud with fake holiday homes

When timeshare flats or holiday homes booked online do not exist. Criminals are trying to extract money from the pockets of holidaymakers by using internet offers with stolen photos of real holiday flats.

Fast cash through coaching?

Countless self-proclaimed coaches try to "scale" their business on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok by selling highly dubious business models with their image of success. We do not find this trend "nice", to stay in the language of damaged young adults. Requests for help at the ECC continue to increase because of the coaching rip-off. An enormous wave of advertisements with get-rich-quick instructions is intended to chill young viewers in particular with the wealth on display and is flooding social media.

Amazon non-delivery problems

If a parcel ordered on Amazon has not arrived, but it has been registered as delivered by the delivery person, Amazon would like to have a police confirmation that the investigation has been completed. In Austria, however, you can only file a complaint with the police. Read what to do.

EU health certificate to enable travel during summer holidays

Preparations are in full swing to enable a legislative and technical basis for an EU-wide digital vaccination and testing card before the start of the summer holidays, to replace the numerous Covid19 restrictions and quarantine requirements for health certificate holders. Despite many difficulties, the project is ambitious in terms of time. It is intended to be practical and fair. We summarise the framework and goals that have been set out.

Outlook on new EU rail passenger rights

The updated EU rail passenger rights will be implemented in 2023. The agreed changes are a compromise between more far-reaching demands of the EU Parliament and positions of the majority of transport ministers of the EU Council, which in turn include more national and economic interests. All in all, it is a further improvement of rail passenger rights and is on its way to be cast into national laws. Because of the #EuropanYearOfRail, we have a look into the future of rail passenger rights.

AK lawsuit against payment service Klarna

The Chamber of Labour registers countless complaints about the payment service Klarna and is now suing this Swedish bank, which grew strongly during the Corona pandemic. Klarna handles online transactions for purchases in online shops and enables payment on account. The ECC also has daily complaint calls about Klarna and is eagerly awaiting the verdict.

🚊Train journey - your rights

The EU has been regulating rail passengers' rights since 2009. You can find out which rights are guaranteed in this regulation, for example in the case of train delays or information obligations by the railway companies, as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions in our article. We updated on the occasion of the proclaimed EU "Year of Rail 2021".

Strike: Airline has to refund says ECJ

A decision by the ECJ has once again clearly strengthened air passenger rights. If a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed due to an announced strike by airline staff, passengers may have a right to compensation.

Review of 1 year of legal assistance by ECC in Corona-related consumer cases

In 2020, victims turned more than ever to the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Austria, part of the Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI). We used this year's World Consumer Day (15 March) as an opportunity to take a retrospective look at our counselling activities in one year of Corona.

Brexit - travellers and consumers

In the referendum on 23 June 2016, 52 percent of Britons voted in favour of Brexit. On 24 December, the EU and the UK concluded a far-reaching trade and partnership agreement. What are the consequences for consumers in Europe? Here are some hints about the changes from the perspective of travellers and consumers

Skiing and Corona - what are the rules in the Alpine countries?

Finally, a winter with good snow and the semester break is upon us! But the pandemic is putting the brakes on the desire to travel and bringing the ski circus to a standstill in many places. Yet the restrictions in Austria are relatively low compared to other countries. Unless you want to come skiing from abroad.

Worldwide travel warning except for 10 countries

As of midnight tonight, i.e. as of 00:00 on 19.12.2020, a travel warning issued by the Austrian Foreign Ministry applies to practically the entire world. 10 states are exempt from this. What does this mean for a planned trip for the holidays?

Parship loses lawsuit over excessive subscription revocation

Those who want to find new life partners through Parship could be confronted with high costs as soon as they change their mind and only use the service for a short time. European Court of Justice declares offsetting practice invalid.

Hardly any money back on flight bookings

Refunds through booking platforms are particularly difficult. Those who have booked flights with intermediaries such as Opodo, Expedia & Co that were cancelled due to the pandemic are having a hard time getting their money back. Enquiries are piling up at arbitration offices and consumer protection agencies.

Level Europe is bankrupt

Insolvency of low cost airline  - The airline Level Europe GmbH, active in the highly competitive market of low-cost airlines in Austria, has stopped operating with immediate effect.

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