2023-10-23 11:18:34
The anomalies noted can be of various natures, with one thing in common: the consumer always loses. Daniel Jędzura / stock.adobe.com
Plumbers, locksmiths, electricians, heating engineers… Of 545 establishments controlled by state services in 2021, a large majority did not respect the rules, to the detriment of consumers, state services reported this Monday.
A nighttime water leak, a boiler in difficulty, pests infesting an apartment, a door that slams and locks someone outside, an electrical problem that requires emergency intervention… These situations are well known to many French, who had to face it at least once. Unpleasant, they immediately cause the blood pressure monitor to jump, and can also represent a maddening expense. Calling a professional, whether a locksmith, electrician or plumber, can quickly cost several hundred euros, or even much more, especially at night or on weekends. And some people happily abuse the situation.
In 2021, the investigators from the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) thus looked at 545 establishments specializing in home repairs, in order to determine the extent of the phenomenon. Published this Monday, their results are edifying: almost two thirds – 64% – of home repair companies were “in anomaly“. A level “similar» to that of the previous year, and which even rises to 70% in Île-de-France, region «which concentrates the largest number of professionals in this sector, but also the largest number of consumer complaints often for particularly unfair and aggressive practices implemented by unscrupulous people».
In detail, the anomalies noted can be of various natures, with one thing in common: the consumer always loses. For example, professionals must systematically provide a quote, regardless of the amount of the service. However, many companies exempt themselves from this obligation, or circumvent it. “The same remark applies to the invoice which, when it exists, is often incomplete or incorrect», Adds Fraud Repression. Likewise, the coins used during the service may be of poor quality, or credit cards may be charged repeatedly by the scammers, who also fail to provide important information, including that “necessary for the identification of the company».
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Numerous sanctions handed down
Faced with numerous complaints and reprehensible behavior from private actors, the State intends to tighten the screw. Of the 545 establishments inspected, the investigation led to “190 warnings, 102 injunctions, 52 criminal reports (PVP) and 36 administrative reports (PVA)», Announces the DGCCRF. Furthermore, specific cases have led to “notable penalties“. Work by the Rhône departmental directorate, for example, made it possible to accuse a company of “deceptive commercial practice“. The accused was sentenced to two years in prison, a ban on management, reimbursement of the civil parties, among other penalties. In Gironde, another investigation similarly led to the conviction of a manager to “two years in prison, including one year suspended on probation», as well as more than 66,000 euros in damages to the victims.
Noting this “high level of anomalies», Fraud Repression intends to maintain its vigilance to “clean up the sector», and also wants to better inform consumers of their rights. In particular, it will launch a communication campaign aimed at households, to help them avoid the worst. Named “get help, not scam“, this recalls ten practical tips, such as developing, in advance, a “emergency number list» to contact in the event of a problem, or to consider a night at a hotel rather than contacting a locksmith in the middle of the night. It is also better to avoid professionals who leave a prospectus in your mailboxes, and only accept, in the event of intervention, emergency work. So many ways to prevent a mishap from turning into a financial pit.
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