What can you do about online shopping fraud?

Although online shopping makes buying easy, unethical business practices in online shopping have become more common nowadays. Besides, identifying safe online shopping platforms in the country has also become increasingly difficult.

Many of the customers do not know what to do when they get cheated online. Someone cheated while buying online can take legal action against the concerned online shopping platform.

The customers, wholesalers, retailers, and the government - all can file complaint to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection under the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009 regarding unethical business practices in online shopping.

Anyone is entitled to make a written complaint to the Director General against any online business practice that goes against consumer right. The complaint must be in writing with the receipt of the product(s) or service(s) attached. 

The complaint can be made in person, through fax, e-mail, website or other electronic means of communication or any other way. After falling a victim of online shopping fraud, the victim must lodge a complaint within 30 days.

After investigation, the Director General or an officer empowered on his behalf may impose fine on the concerned online shopping platform in case of any positive findings; the victim, in that case, will receive 25% of the imposed fine.