Don't let prepaid consumption become "pre-loss" consumption!
In recent years, in the service industries such as fitness and catering, beauty salons, education and training, the prepaid consumption model has become the first choice for most businesses. Under the premise of reasonable business model and scientific and effective supervision, the introduction of prepayment mechanism into the commercial field is conducive to achieving a "win-win" situation for merchants and consumers. However, with the development of the prepaid model, the number of "runaway" incidents has gradually increased, and disputes over "difficult refunds" have occurred frequently.
Typical case 1 of monitoring by the prevention and control center:
In the name of online shopping to obtain pensions, the elderly are induced to pay large amounts of advance payments.
In the name of online shopping and consumption, a commercial *** induces the elderly to pay a large amount of advance payment. They claim that customers can enjoy dividends, medical subsidies, and pensions for holding equity, launch online shopping apps, claim that 50 million families use them, build a consumer pension platform, issue ** "currency", and claim that they can get pensions for consumption. The company aimed at the middle-aged and elderly people, by distributing leaflets, opening lectures and other ways of public publicity, with health care as a gimmick, to"Consumption can enjoy discounts, and the principal will be returned in full after the expiration of non-consumption and welfare subsidies".for the bait,Induce the elderly to pay advance pension premiums.
According to the analysis and judgment of the prevention and control center, the enterprise has the following risks: it carries out pension service projects to raise funds from the public without obtaining a license for the establishment of pension institutions;Commitment to high-interest savings in the form of membership fees charged by pension institutions;Verbally or by agreement undertakes to pay interest on the unconsumed amount on the Membership Card on an annual or monthly basis, or to repay the principal and interest on the unconsumed amount in a lump sum upon return of the Card;It is claimed that subsidies will be provided according to the number of beds, and the ** subsidy will be issued as investment interest.
When the elderly want to increase the value of their assets through investment, they should be more cautious, take safety as a key indicator, and be the first person responsible for the "money bag". Under the banner of pension, investment, consumption rebates and other activities, and exaggerated publicity, in order to return interest, pensions, discounts and other institutions that require the elderly to pay large amounts of advance payments, need to be vigilant, rather low returns, but also to avoid "no return". At the same time, the family members of the elderly should also actively understand the relevant knowledge of pension services, improve the ability to identify pension fraud, patiently explain to the elders, and protect the elders' later life.
Typical case 2 of monitoring by the prevention and control center:
Induce consumers to recharge their fuel cards in the name of recharging fuel cards.
According to the monitoring of the Prevention and Control Center, a technology holding company carried out illegal fund-raising activities through its automobile refueling app "xx platform"."There is a discount on recharge fuel cards" as a bait to attract consumersIt claims to serve nearly 30 million car owners, and its business covers more than 100 cities across the country. The company publicly advertised that "consumers recharge 8,200 yuan at one time, and promise to return 1,000 yuan per month in 10 months, a total of 10,000 yuan of fuel cards". However, soon after, the company announced that it decided to withdraw from the refueling and recharge industry, promising not to run away and not lose contact, but to return the user's principal in 12 months, 5 per month in the first month, and 10 per month in the next month. Two months later, the company issued a delayed payment announcement, reducing the return rate to 3, and encouraging users to use the amount in their accounts to purchase goods on the xx platform**.
Top-up consumption is a common means of payment in the commercial field, which can stimulate consumption, help merchants lock in customers and return funds. This model is widely accepted in service industries such as retail, catering, and training. At the same time, consumers can also get discounts and gifts from merchants to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. However, criminals alienate the prepaid model into a post-sale repurchase for financing purposes, that is, the merchant buys back at a premium higher than the original price of the product in the future, and the premium part is equivalent to the interest given to the consumer. This is ostensibly consumption, but in essence it is illegal financing.
Consumers should be cautious in making spending decisions before topping up and spending. Special attention should be paid to the behavior of merchants claiming that consumers can obtain high rebates through large recharges, enhance risk awareness, be vigilant against "high profits", and avoid falling into the trap of illegal fundraising due to the blind pursuit of "low prices and high returns".
Typical case 3 of monitoring by the prevention and control center:
In the name of recharging to enjoy "low-cost travel", consumers are induced to pay in advance.
A travel agency absorbs funds in the name of becoming a member, and promises that consumers can enjoy free travel or low-cost travel after paying membership fees, and give dividends regularly. In addition, in the name of selling "tourism **" prepaid products, the gimmick of "low-cost tours" collects advance payments from members, and promises that if consumers do not travel, travel agencies can repurchase routes and refund them.
The prevention and control center reminds that it is necessary to be vigilant against the traps of such tourism products. First of all, the ** product of tourism ** is significantly lower than the market**, which often means that travel agencies need to obtain compensation in other aspects, such as reducing the quality of tourism, reducing tourism projects, etc. Secondly, there are risks associated with the sale of travel prepaid cards. Once a consumer buys a prepaid card, they are handing over their money to a travel agency, and it is unknown whether the travel agency will be able to deliver on its promise to provide high-quality travel services.
Therefore, consumers should consider carefully when choosing travel products. If you encounter a travel product that is significantly lower than the market or sells a travel prepaid card, you should be vigilant to avoid being deceived. At the same time, consumers can also choose a formal and qualified travel agency to understand the travel itinerary, expenses and other details to ensure that their rights and interests are protected.
Characteristics of the consumption trap of prepaid consumer services
Service promises are hard to keep. Due to the nature of prepaid consumption, operators may not be able to fulfill their commitments due to various uncertain factors, resulting in consumers being unable to enjoy the services agreed in the contract.
It is easy to apply for a card and difficult to return the card. Operators often use standard contracts, which may contain unfavorable terms for consumers, such as overlord clauses, to discourage consumers from requesting reasonable refunds.
It is difficult to recover from the closure of business. Some businesses closed their doors and left without issuing a notice of repayment, or even ran away with the money, seriously infringing on the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.
It is difficult to adduce evidence for rights protection. There is a lack of formal written contracts for prepaid consumption, and merchants rarely provide written contracts and consumption details, which makes it difficult for consumers to protect their rights.
How to prevent it
Prepaid Consumption Risk?
The prevention and control center warmly reminds that consumers should keep the following five points in mind when making prepaid consumption:
Compare fully and choose carefully. Understand the business scale, market reputation and social reputation, and choose businesses with complete licenses, high market reputation and good business conditions.
Moderate consumption, rational card application. Avoid depositing a large amount of money at once, and don't be fooled by the merchant's discount promotion and make impulsive purchases.
Pay attention to the signing of the contract and agree on the detailed terms。When applying for a card, carefully check the content of the contract, and find unreasonable terms and ask for correction in time.
Ask for bills and keep evidence. After applying for the card, you should immediately ask for the bill, and properly keep the relevant evidence such as the prepayment voucher, service rules, agreements, invoices, and contracts. After each purchase, the merchant should be asked to provide a single consumption voucher and pay attention to the balance dynamics.
Find problems and protect rights in a timely manner. In case of consumer disputes, you should immediately complain through the national 12315 platform (or call 12345 government service convenience for the people**. Once it is found that the merchant has fraudulently obtained the advance payment or fled with the money, it should immediately report to the public security organ.
The content of this article is original, **please indicate** in "Guangzhou Financial Technology***