Above all middle-aged women are the target group for subscription traps online. Stock Photography. Photo: Bertil Ericson, TT
The ads online attracts about cheap mobile phones and slimming pills for small sums. In fact, the subscription traps – especially targeted at middle-aged women. The reports, this year more than doubled up at EU level are trying now to find a solution.
Supplements or offers of a new iPhone for just a Crown. Both are examples of goods or competitions which in fact is a cover to lure customers into subscription traps, where monthly fees charged to the customer’s wishes.
– It this is a very large consumer problems where customers entered via social media or in connection with network searches and then got up an ad for a sample package, says Ida Mazzenga, international officer at the Swedish consumer Agency.
Consumer Europe, part of the Consumer Agency, has in January-April registered 699 complaints regarding subscription traps, an increase of 122 percent compared to the same period in 2015.
One of the victims is Lotta Vesterberg. She was attracted by an offer to win a flat-screen TV from a well-known electronics chain.
Drug SEK 2 500
– I filled a form, leaving out my credit card details for a shipping fee but right as it was came up a whole other side where it was that I agreed to a subscription and that it was 500 crowns, she says.
Another woman talked to TT but who wants to remain anonymous, has a similar story. She signed up to buy diet pills.
– They would only cost 49 crowns. Once it’s been two months, I had still not received any products. Instead, they had attracted 2500 crowns. It was like a nightmare, she says.
Ida Mazzenga describes it as extremely complex where the activity can be spread over different countries, and the problem is considered so serious that a working group at EU level are now looking at the issue.
– It’s a bit like one of those frogs games at the carnival. Closing down a website that pops up immediately a new one.
Act immediately
Consumer Agency advice now is to immediately act to stop withdrawals from the bank account. Many of the companies are threatening payment default or debt collection, something the consumer should not have to be afraid of.
– As long as you have a dispute with a trader if an invoice validity it must not be a payment default of the bailiff, says Ida Mazzenga.
The woman who wants to remain anonymous received after more than half a year back their money.
Lotta Vesterberg however, was not as fortunate when all tracks ended in a brevlådeadress.
– I understand that it is not possible to access them, she says. Although there is now “only” 500 crowns, I think of how many people this company has cheated.
The Facts: Subscription Traps
Subscriptions Traps are related to, among other social media and in the form of an offer to participate in market research alternative sample packets of different goods.
After the customer signed up for the offer will unknowns invoices or money deducted from the account statement.
According to EU Commission is the economic injury to the consumer 80-280 euros (about 750 SEK-2600 crowns), but can be up to over 9 000.
the connection is also the threat of payment default or debt collection.
Among the companies that the European Consumer Centre received most complaints about are the following companies:
the Vitality Club
Translate Wise
Quizonaut
Jobform
Diet & amp; Detox
Point World
Aliaz Cooperation (especially Horsepower Plus)
skin Center / Newlife
Cosclub
LuxStyle
Source: Consumer Agency
the Facts: Consumer Agency advice
Take advantage of the withdrawal of 14 days if it is a distance contract with the company registered EU, Norway or Iceland.
the consumer is not required to pay the return freight for goods that were not ordered.
Dispute incorrect invoice by contacting the company, for example, through e-mail and save a copy.
the company must be able to prove that there is an agreement and the conditions agreed in the order.
If the company is threatening debt collection, remember that if you considers that a claim is incorrect, you can dispute it and it does not mean you automatically get a payment default.
Report to the Consumer Agency if you hit.
Source: Consumer Agency
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