• Miracle remedies for varicose veins, joint pain, hearing problems or incontinence - such advertisements appear in colorful newspapers.
• Consumers, beware - these are misleading ads, so called scam! The peculiarities offered may not have healing properties and it may not be possible to contact the seller for withdrawal or complaints.
• President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has launched a preliminary investigation in which he will check whether and how publishers verify the content of ads, as well as will look into doubtful advertisers.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has been receiving complaints about advertisements for pseudo-medical products in colorful newspapers. These peculiarities - according to advertising assurances - were supposed to guarantee immediate cure from various diseases, such as atherosclerosis, prostate, or solve problems with eyesight or hearing. Consumer complaints prove that they have turned out to be inefficient, their prices - inadequate for quality, and professors extolling the virtues of these products - non-existent. Moreover, it was problematic to determine the data and address of the entrepreneur who posted the product advertisement which in practice made it impossible to withdraw from the contract or complain about the purchased goods. Publishers of newspapers that publish misleading ads, however, are doing little to limit the practice. The problem was also brought to the attention by a youtuber Wojtek Przeździecki, who runs the “ojwojtek” channel. In his material he showed how easy it was to publish a scam ad in a colorful magazine.

- The victims of advertisements promoting agents that claim to be remedies for all ailments are most often the elderly, the ailing, and thus a particularly vulnerable group of consumers. Responsibility for this can be borne not only by advertisers but also by publishers who indiscriminately publish such ads - says Tomasz Chróstny, President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.

President of UOKiK has opened a preliminary investigation into a scam posted in newspapers. These are advertisements which are misleading, such as unfoundedly exaggerating the properties of a product, encouraging the purchase of things that are harmful or dangerous to health, and informing about non-existent promotions. During the investigation, both the activities of advertisers and publishers as well as the rules of their cooperation will be checked. As a first step, President of UOKiK summoned 8 entrepreneurs in the publishing industry to submit explanations on the published advertisements: Burda Media Polska (among others: “Przyślij Przepis," “Dobre Rady"), Corner Media ("Dziennik Wschodni"), WM Group (among others "Gazeta Olsztyńska"), Petstar ("Kropka TV"), Polska Press (among others: "Dziennik Zachodni", "Tygodnik Ostrołęcki"), Bauer Publishing House (among others: "Tele Tydzień", "Rewia", "Rozrywka"), Westa-Druk Publishing House ("Angora") and ZPR Media (among others. "Super Express").

- We want to draw the attention of publishers to an important social problem. To examine whether and how they verify ads before publication, in what cases they refuse to accept them, why they do not provide consumers with advertisers' data, and why-despite receiving complaints from readers-they still agree to place such ads. We are counting first and foremost on self-regulation of the publishing industry and the complete elimination from newspapers of advertisements that mislead ailing or elderly people. Further steps will depend on the attitude of publishers and the steps they take to eliminate these pathological messages. If they are insufficient or slow, then publishers should expect further action on our part - says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

In accordance with the Press Law, a publisher can be held liable for publishing advertisements that violate the law or the rules of social intercourse.

Advertisements for pseudo-medicines are also being dealt with by the Advertising Ethics Council. It has issued several resolutions confirming that they may be misleading about the relevant properties of advertised products, the test results presented or the people recommending the product.

Beware of false advertising (scam)! Hints and advices for consumers

• Don’t order medicinal products, medical devices, and dietary supplements from an unknown source.
• Don't trust ads that offer 100% effectiveness in a few weeks.
• Pay attention to who the vendor is, whether its name, organizational form or just a phone number is given.
• Don't buy if the ad does not mention the company's name or if something has caused your suspicion.
• Check online reviews of the vendor or ask someone to help you if you don't use the Internet yourself.
• Verify that the "authority" recommending the product or therapy really exists.
• Check whether the dietary supplement you want to buy is on the the register maintained by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, and a product of a medical nature - in the register of medicinal products.
• Give yourself time to think, to consult e.g. relatives, GP. Don't buy under pressure that the promotion is about to end.
• Don't trust assurances of a pool of free products for first-timers. This is an attempt to force a quick decision. Besides, it later turns out that to get a free product, you have to buy several others. Also, beware of information about receiving refunds - this is also sometimes a method of misrepresentation and manipulation.
• Make sure about the terms of withdrawal, and above all, the address to which the statement and the product itself should be sent back.
• If you order and pay on delivery, ask the courier to confirm acceptance of payment and shipper's details.
• If possible, contact in writing rather than by phone - confirmation of arrangements can come in handy!
• Remember that you can get free legal assistance, such as from a city or county consumer ombudsman.
• If you have doubts about the advertising and properties of a dietary supplement, contact the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.

How to be an assertive consumer and not be deceived by dishonest sellers? Watch the webinar broadcast "Assertiveness for a show?" with advice from social psychologist Ewa Jarczewska-Gerc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZEPXbP9gEg&feature=youtu.be

Consumer Support:

Phone: 801 440 220 or 222 66 76 76 – consumer helpline
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Consumer Ombudsmen – in your town or district
Trade Inspection Authority – in your province
European Consumer Centre – 22 55 60 600 – in cross-border cases involving the EU, Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom

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