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The National Consumer Commission says consumers must exercise caution when interacting with certain suppliers during this Black Friday, but, also during the festive season and beyond.
Spokesperson, Pheto Ntaba, said the consumer commission had identified about 40 suppliers that seem to have either disappeared or cannot be traced at their addresses listed on the sales records or websites provided to consumers.
She said the NCC identified these suppliers through the complaints received from affected consumers, who had either bought products online or in-store.
"The modus operandi observed is that these suppliers accept the orders, take consumers’ money and never deliver the goods or services as expected.
"These suppliers would thereafter move from the known addresses without providing any forwarding address," Ntaba said adding that it was the same with online supplier.
She said these suppliers would later abandon the websites or delete the sites completely.
"The list of these suppliers is available on the NCC’s website, and any of the suppliers on the list who have become traceable should contact the NCC to be immediately removed from the list.
"The NCC warns consumers to be extra cautious or to avoid doing business with these suppliers as their intention is to defraud consumers," according to Ntaba.
She said the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) requires suppliers to provide sales records with the correct physical address, contact numbers and websites to ensure that the consumers and authorities where required are able to locate the suppliers.
"On the upcoming Black Friday, consumers are further reminded that knowing the original prices of items they intend to buy during this period will help to determine if an item is indeed discounted or not.
"Consumers are urged to be very vigilant when transacting online as some of the online stores are masquerading as legitimate businesses while they are effectively out to scam consumers," she concluded.
