• 14 November was National Senior Citizen's Day. On this occasion, we remind senior citizens of the risks and their rights, as well as free consumer assistance.
• Dear senior citizens, be especially wary of "phone offers," overpriced goods or shady online auctions.
• We have prepared a handful of tips for the magazine of the Social Insurance Institution – "ZUS dla Seniora" – download the newsletter (in Polish)

Each year, UOKiK receives several hundred complaints about unfair practices not only during trade shows but also in teleshopping or Internet sales. The recipients of invitations to shows or offers from telemarketers are usually senior citizens. The elderly are a significant consumer group, but a very vulnerable one. Their trust and lack of knowledge about their rights often create a space for manipulation and extortion by dishonest traders.

Caution, unfair practices!

Despite the efforts of many institutions, there are still entities in the market that behave unethically towards senior citizens for financial gain. Such practices include, for example, persuading people to choose a product at a price much higher than its market value, inviting senior citizens to trade shows under the pretext of receiving free medical check-ups or prizes when the real purpose is to persuade them to buy expensive bedding or pots, concealing defects in goods or providing non-existent functions in product descriptions. In addition, you may come across fake sales or auctions on the Internet that target the elderly. Their creators address senior citizens directly in order to get their attention even more.

"To curb unfair practices, we have prepared amendments to the regulations on trade shows. Consumer rights are often violated during such shows. Our proposals prohibit, among other things, the acceptance of payment before the expiry of the time limit for withdrawal from the agreement or the sale of medical supplies outside the company's premises,says UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny.

"The project has already passed the stage of inter-departmental consultations, issue of opinions and public consultations. We plan to refer it to the next stages of the legislative procedure in November, " adds the President of UOKiK.

We encourage you to take advantage of free consumer assistance. If you have been misled by a seller or do not know how to file a complaint, please email us at [SCODE]cG9yYWR5QGRsYWtvbnN1bWVudG93LnBs[ECODE] or call 801 440 220 or 22 290 89 16.  You can also contact the consumer advocate in your city or county.

"We are constantly looking for solutions that will contribute in a systemic way to protecting the rights of consumers, including the elderly who are particularly vulnerable to fraud. We offer free consumer advice and conduct educational activities. We know that the more consumers are aware of their rights, the less chance there is for dishonest traders to succeed, says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK .

If you represent an organisation working for the elderly, e.g. you run a senior citizen's club, order a free magazine of the Social Insurance Institution or UOKiK gadgets from our website.

Dear senior citizen, you have rights!

• Within 14 days, you can withdraw from an agreement concluded at home, at a trade show, by phone or on the Internet.
• You can complain about faulty goods.
• FREE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE - Phone No. 801 440 220 or 22 290 89 16

DEAR SENIOR CITIZEN, WATCH OUT FOR:

• Offers in which the price of the goods is suspiciously high
• Hidden defects in goods
• Phone calls with purchase offers, rewards or service changes
• Fake sales and auctions on the Internet

DEAR SENIOR CITIZEN, BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING:

• Carefully read what you are signing
• Consult your family or neighbours
• Do not succumb to pressure
• You have the right to say no if you feel that someone is pressuring you into a deal
• Remember, if you signed an agreement at home or at a show, you have 14 days to cancel

Amendment of the Energy law – since 3 July 2021

Off-premises sales of energy services are prohibited. This means that a seller cannot sign an agreement with a customer at home.

Consumer assistance:

Phone No. 801 440 220 or 22 290 89 16 – consumer hotline
E-mail: [SCODE]cG9yYWR5QGRsYWtvbnN1bWVudG93LnBs[ECODE]
Consumer Ombudsmen – in your town or county
Trade Inspection – in your voivodeship

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: [SCODE]Yml1cm9wcmFzb3dlQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL