Aasa Polska and Capital Service under the magazine UOKiK. The total cost of loans exceeded the statutory limits

The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection alleged a violation of the collective interests of consumers to Aasa Polska and Capital Service as well as an intermediary, Infostom – UOKiK informed on Tuesday. It is about misleading customers when granting loans with additional services.

As the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), Loan companies Aasa Polska and Capital Service and the Infostom intermediary company heard allegations of violation of collective consumer interests. The office stated that the companies misled clients, hiding or improperly presenting the costs of additional services attached to loans, e.g. medical packages, language courses or IT services.

As a result, customers made commitments that significantly exceeded the expected amount of the loan, and its total cost exceeded the statutory limits – served.

“Consumers who contacted loans or intermediaries companies were interested in obtaining a consumer loan. However, the way of presenting the offer meant that in many cases they were not aware that together with the loan they were also sold to other products, e.g. educational packages. In the communiqué, president of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny.

According to the office, Aasa Polska from Warsaw presents to consumers, among others In the forms on the website and contracts, the amount of the loan increased by the cost of additional services (Value Added Services, VAS). In complaints to UOKiK, customers pointed to the company making a loan dependent on using VAS.

“The company uses the practice of pressing the loan only with the English language course, adding that if he is not accepted, they will not grant a loan, my wife caught it, she had a loan taken PLN 5,000 and a premium PLN 7600 for repayment,” wrote one of the persons in the complaint.

The company also offers a loan without additional services on its website, but the method of its presentation can mislead consumers – noted the office. He added that the version without VAS shows a lower loan amount and a higher installment, which means that the offer with additional services may seem more favorable.

The Capital Service from Ostrołęka UOKiK accused the non -informing of consumers about the “significant features” of the loan, including its total amount, during telephone sales conversations. Consultants do not give consumers that together with the loan agreement they also conclude a paid contract for an additional service – the office pointed out. As in the case of Aasa, Ostrołęcka, the company includes part of the fee for, among others Medical packages to the total amount of the loan and thus increases the costs of the loan that exceed the statutory limits.

The Infostom company from Lublin mediated in concluding consumer credit agreements with a Warsaw company that offers cash loans and credit limits on the credit card. As indicated by the office, on its own behalf, the company concluded contracts with consumers for additional services – medical and educational services – which were attached to loan agreements. The signals that flowed to the UOKiK in this matter show that consumers may not receive reliable and full information about the proposed services and their detailed conditions.

The case of a consumer was given, who after paying off the loan learned that the contract was attached to the medical package for the amount of 1 thousand. PLN, which she did not agree.

The President of the Office pointed out that when the loan costs are included in VAS fees, they significantly exceed the statutory limits. “This practice is unlawful, which is why we make the first charges,” he emphasized.

Chróstny pointed out that “for a long time” has been looking at the market in terms of granting loans with additional services. He added that the office conducts seven explanatory proceedings during which he checks the activities of other entities in this context. Incompatible practices are to be shortened by the draft amendment to the Consumer Credit Act for consultation – added the President of UOKiK.

If the allegations are confirmed, the companies are threatened with a penalty of 10 percent. annual turnover.

(We plan to continue the topic)

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