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Consumers in Hagen: How to protect yourself from fraud and energy problems!
Looking back to 2024, the Hagen consumer advice center is dealing with over 5,400 concerns, primarily regarding energy law and online fraud.
Consumers in Hagen: How to protect yourself from fraud and energy problems!
The consumer advice center in Hagen looks back on a busy year in 2024. In total, a whopping 5,409 consumer concerns were addressed last year. One topic in particular stands out: the questions surrounding energy law. The advice center has established itself as a valuable contact point in this area and provides support with problems with energy suppliers, billing and changing providers. This is also confirmed by the Consumer Center Baden-Württemberg, which offers detailed specialist and legal advice. Inquiries about foisted contracts or price increases by providers are particularly explosive.
Dr. Andre Erpenbach, Hagen city councilor for consumer protection, made it clear how diverse the problems consumers now have are. While many people seeking help need legal support with energy issues, unwanted magazine subscriptions and fraud in online retail are also common concerns. Janine Pühl, head of the advice center, therefore advises consumers to always be skeptical. This applies to both online purchases and in-person door-to-door sales. Just don't let yourself be put under pressure if something is unclear!
Safe online shopping
Online shopping is extremely convenient, but the risks should not be underestimated. The consumer advice center warns of dubious offers and fake shops that are increasingly appearing on the Internet. If an offer seems too good to be true, alarm bells should ring. If it happens that a purchase does not go as expected and you fall for fraudsters, getting your money back often depends on the payment method. While transfers cannot be reversed, there are often reverse mechanisms available for credit card payments and PayPal.
A particularly treacherous sign of a fake shop can be a request for advance payment, especially if the provider offers temptingly low prices for popular goods that are out of stock in other stores. Be careful, especially in times of fake online offers!
Extended funding for the advice center
In recent years, the consumer advice center has not only provided support with legal issues, but also addressed environmental issues that are particularly important on hot days. As the Hagen consumer advice center reports, the financing of the advice center has been extended for another five years. This means that the extensive range of advice will continue to be available to citizens in the future. And that is necessary because, as the numbers show, the number of concerns has not decreased.
Whether with questions about energy contracts, problems with unsolicited subscription offers or fraud on the Internet - the consumer advice center remains an important partner for all Cologne residents. Take the time to find out more and take advantage of the offers available! This is the only way to ensure that you have a good hand when purchasing and do not fall for dubious providers.