The European online marketplace
While the most common complaints refer to the purchase of electronic goods, problems relating to second hand cars and tickets for events have also been reported. The report also shows that the purchasing and selling of cars has become a common target...
While the most common complaints refer to the purchase of electronic goods, problems relating to second hand cars and tickets for events have also been reported.
The report also shows that the purchasing and selling of cars has become a common target area for online fraudulent activity.
The main problem with ticketed events arises when tickets are purchased from unauthorised websites claiming to be authorised agents of the event manager.
A recurrent problem that emerged from the report relates to online fraud. This problem in fact appears to be becoming more widespread, with new scams appearing all the time. Some of these scams include fake web traders, alleged wins of lotteries and scams relating to the online selling of second hand cars, among others relating to online auctions and fraudulent escrow companies.
This area of online fraud constitutes serious criminal conduct and consumers are advised to contact the police in these instances, as the ECCs do not have the statutory powers to deal with such cases.
Various ECCs have embarked on educational projects to build consumer confidence and trust when it comes to online shopping.
The European Commission is currently in the process of reviewing the body of consumer protection legislation to enhance consumer protection in the area of e-commerce and to include many problem areas that fall outside the scope of the Directive on Distance Selling, such as internet auctions.
Current legislation and enforcement practices also need reviewing in light of the growth in new technologies.
The ECC Net is also intervening to see the development of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.
The ECC Network welcomes this rapid growth in online trade as it offers increased choice and value to consumers. It also offers access to an enormous marketplace without geographical restrictions.
The report concludes, however, that there must also be a concurrent improvement in consumer rights education, in particular in traders' recognition of their legal obligation, if the full potential of this market is to be realised.
The full report can be downloaded from the ECC Malta website www.eccnetmalta.gov.mt/home.