Unscrupulous online shops are a growing problem for consumers. Scammers offer attractive prices but after payment is made, the order is never fulfilled or the customer receives a product that does not match the description. If you have fallen victim to such practices, it’s worth knowing where to report the shop to recover your money and warn other buyers.
1. Contacting the shop
Before reporting the matter to relevant institutions, try contacting the shop yourself. You can:
* Write an email to the customer service.
* Call their hotline.
* Send a message through the contact form on their website.
If the shop doesn’t respond or communication is impossible, you should take further action.
2. Reporting to the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK)
UOKiK deals with consumer protection and can take action against dishonest sellers. To report the shop:
* Visit www.uokik.gov.pl.
* File a complaint using an electronic form.
* You can also contact your local consumer rights representative.
3. European Consumer Centre (ECC)
If the shop operates in another EU country, you can report the matter to the European Consumer Centre:
* Go to www.konsument.gov.pl.
* Describe the problem and attach purchase evidence.
4. Reporting to the Police
If you suspect a scam, you should report it to the police. Prepare:
* Proof of purchase (payment receipt, invoice, email from the shop).
* All correspondence with the seller.
* Shop details.
You can report the matter in person at the police station or through an online fraud report on the website policja.gov.pl.
5. Reporting to a bank or payment operator
If you paid by credit card or using systems like PayPal, you can:
* Use the chargeback procedure – a refund request for a disputed transaction.
* File a complaint and request reimbursement under PayPal’s buyer protection.
* Lodge a complaint with intermediary services (e.g., Przelewy24, PayU).
6. Warning other buyers
To prevent scams in the future, consider:
* Writing a negative review on forums and review websites.
* Reporting the shop to anti-scam portals (e.g., NieuczciweSklepy.pl).
* Informing friends on social media.
Summary
If you have fallen victim to an unscrupulous online shop, don’t remain passive. Reporting the matter to relevant institutions can help recover your money and protect other consumers. The sooner you take action, the greater your chances of resolving the issue!
