Coronavirus and online scams: everything you need to know!

What sellers are not allowed to do 

Sellers are not allowed to give you incorrect information about, for instance, the benefits of a product. That’s misleading advertising! Also, sellers may not say that a product will be available for a limited time only to tempt you to make an impulse purchase or falsely claim that that it can cure a disease, such as the coronavirus. 

Measures against misleading advertising and online scams

Online platforms such as Marktplaats, Bol.com and Amazon have taken measures to combat scams and fraud. Marktplaats, for example, refuses to sell respiratory masks and disinfectants, and Bol.com has temporarily stopped admitting new suppliers of thermometers, painkillers and disinfectants to its platform. Amazon has implemented extra checks to make sure that sellers are charging fair prices. On top of that, all three platforms make an effort to remove misleading claims and ads. 

Prevent online scams. This is how!

If you’re planning to make a purchase via an online platform or online store during the corona crisis, be extra careful. Do the necessary research, don’t believe everything you read, and don’t fall into the traps laid by online scammers by seeing the signs! 

• Pay attention to language and images
  Be alert if the product description or image implies that the product can prevent or cure the coronavirus
• Fake sources
  Be wary when names of doctors, healthcare professionals and experts are mentioned who claim to be able to cure the coronavirus. Often, these people will be fake experts.
• Government support
  Watch out when a seller claims that government agencies, experts or health organisations endorse the product, without actually referring to any official document or statement.
• Misleading sales tricks
  Be careful when a seller claims that a product will only be on offer today or uses phrases such as ‘now or never’, ‘almost out of stock’ or ‘while stocks last’. Sellers only say this to give you a sense of urgency.
• False claims
  Be alert when a seller claims that its prices are the lowest or that its product is the only one that can prevent or cure corona infections.
• Exorbitant prices
  Be wary when a seller asks exorbitant prices for the product. Scammers take advantage of people’s fear of supplies running out and their willingness to pay an extremely high price as a result.

Cancelling your purchase in case of misleading advertising

If you make an online purchase because of misleading information, such as a false claim that the product can prevent or cure the coronavirus, you can cancel your purchase. Mis-selling is prohibited in the Netherlands. The seller is obliged to give you a full refund, including any shipping costs. 

Is the seller refusing to give you a refund? Send a letter!

If you have cancelled your purchase and the seller refuses to give you a refund, you can use the ECC template letter for cancelling a purchase in case of misleading advertising to inform the seller that you disagree. You can download this letter in two languages (Dutch & English). For free! 

Report misleading advertising to ACM ConsuWijzer

Are you dealing with a seller that takes advantage of the corona crisis? Report it to ACM ConsuWijzer! Even if you’re not sure whether you have been scammed or misled. If multiple consumers report the same seller, the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets may decide to launch a formal investigation into the seller, to impose a fine or to force the seller to find a solution to the problem. 

Any questions? Feel free to ask!

Do you have a conflict with a foreign seller based in another EU country? Then you can contact our legal experts for free legal assistance by completing the online form. Do you have a question or complaint about a Dutch seller or Dutch online platform? Then you can contact the Legal Advice Desk for free advice.