Published on September 26, 2024, 8:28 p.m. / ©Pexels / Karolina Grabowska
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An Upper Austrian woman paid an “online coach” thousands of euros, and the Chamber of Labor got a lot of money back from her.
An Upper Austrian woman paid an “online coach” thousands of euros, and the Chamber of Labor got a lot of money back from her.
Who doesn’t want to earn a lot of money without a lot of work and enjoy a carefree life at the same time? So-called online coaches promised this to an Upper Austrian woman, and the Chamber of Labor has now gotten 5,500 euros back from her.
by Phillip Plattner
2 minutes reading time (266 words)
“Learn to invest your money correctly and live from a passive income.” These and similar messages are announced by the so-called online coaches. They place advertisements on social media, presenting their own supposedly successful lives or luring consumers with unrealistic promises of success. They are then persuaded to sign a contract during a free initial consultation, provide their account details and undertake to pay several thousand euros. Instead of making quick money, they often only get coaching videos with little informational value, as the Chamber of Labor (AK) Upper Austria explains.
From when the right of withdrawal is extended
But: When concluding online contracts, there is generally a right of withdrawal, as consumer advocates know. The Distance Selling Act (FAGG) sets strict, formal requirements for the companies involved; for example, consumers must be extensively informed about the right of withdrawal. “If this information is not provided or is incorrect, the right of withdrawal is extended. If those affected declare their revocation, it is often countered that they have agreed to a waiver of revocation. However, this may be partially ineffective,” the AK continued.
Chamber of Labor in Upper Austria records “great success”
According to consumer advocates, the contract can also be challenged because of misleading and “shortening by more than half”. The latter is a blatant discrepancy in value between performance and consideration when the contract is concluded. In the case of an Upper Austrian woman, the online coach’s company was based in Cyprus, but the AK was still able to record a “nice success,” as it is reported. The consumer got 5,500 euros back.
Tip from the AK consumer advocates:
Never allow yourself to be pressured into signing a contract and never transfer money if someone promises that you can earn a lot of money without a lot of effort.
