Have you ever been “catfished by products” when online shopping?
First things first, what exactly do we mean by “catfished”?
To clarify, it refers to instances where the products sold by merchants are completely different from the description provided.
For example, a flashlight is promoted as possessing a battery life of 2 hours, but its actual usage only lasts for 5 minutes.
On the other hand, falling victim to counterfeit goods can also be interpreted as being “catfished by products”. For instance, sellers that market their shoes as legitimate, only for consumers to realise they’re dupes after making the purchase.
This form of advertising can be categorized as false or misleading representations.
According to Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, making false or misleading representations constitutes a punishable offence. If convicted, companies may be fined up to RM500,000. For individual offenders, they may face imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 years or be liable to a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or both.
So, what exactly should consumers do?
First, you may demand a refund. Though, the majority of sellers are probably unwilling to return your money considering they already had an intent to deceive in the first place.
Subsequently, you can lodge a report to Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs via the channels below:
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-886-800
WhatsApp: 019-279 4317
Email: e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my
If the above channels are inaccessible, individuals may also bring their complaints to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims.
Any disputes pertaining to products or services can be adjudicated by the aforementioned Tribunal. However, take note that the monetary sum involved must not exceed RM50,000 and all claims must be brought within 3 years of the dispute arising.
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📝 Disclamer of Liability:
This article is published solely to provide legal knowledge and entertainment, it does not constitute formal legal advice.
Should you face any similar situations, kindly consult a professional lawyer.
