CASE and CCCS Advisory on Online Consumer Transactions

The Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) and the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”) would like to alert consumers to common tactics used by errant online retailers to mislead consumers into purchasing products. From January 2020 to 2 August 2021, CASE received 52 complaints related to transactions with overseas online retailers where consumers were misled into making purchases. Attempts to get a refund of money paid to such online retailers may be difficult as they may not have any presence in Singapore.

   

Consumer complaints received by CASE in the first half of 2021 dropped compared to the same period in 2020; the beauty and renovation contractor industries accounted for the highest number of complaints

The Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) received 7,260 consumer complaints in the first half of 2021 (“1H2021”), a 19.5% decrease from the 9,013 complaints received in the first half of 2020 (“1H2020”). The beauty and renovation contractors industries accounted for the highest number of complaints received in 1H2021, and saw an increase in the number of complaints compared with the same period last year. There was a decline in the number of complaints against the travel, airlines, and medical and medical consumables industries.

   

Company Alert – 99 Reno Pte Ltd

The Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) would like to alert consumers to complaints received against renovation contractor 99 Reno Pte Ltd (“99 Reno”). From 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021, CASE received 30 consumer complaints against 99 Reno. The majority of complaints pertain to consumers who made prepayments for their projects but experienced repeated delays in renovation works or a delay in the commencement of works. CASE had attempted to resolve the complaints with 99 Reno, but was unsuccessful. The company also did not respond to a warning letter issued by CASE.

   

Melvin Yong elected as new CASE President

The Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) would like to announce that Mr Melvin Yong has been elected President of the new Central Committee for the term 2021 to 2024. This follows CASE’s 48th Annual General Meeting held today, where the new Central Committee was also elected and/or appointed into office. Mr Yong succeeds Mr Lim Biow Chuan who had helmed CASE since 2012.

   

CASE sees spike in complaints against the travel and airlines industries due to COVID-19, one in seven complaints related to the pandemic

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic has reshaped the composition of consumer complaints received by the Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) in 2020. Of the 18,335 complaints received by CASE last year, approximately one in seven were related to the pandemic. The pandemic had the biggest impact on the travel and airlines industries where two out of five complaints received against these industries stemmed from COVID-19 travel restrictions. In addition, with more consumers turning to online shopping due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, the number of complaints relating to online purchases doubled from 2,236 in 2019 to 4,366 in 2020.

   

CASE appoints new Executive Director

The Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) has appointed Ms Lee Siow Hwee, 42, as its new Executive Director with effect from 1 April 2021. Ms Lee succeeds Mr Loy York Jiun, 47, who has returned to the National Trades Union Congress (“NTUC”).

   

Statement on Integrated Shield Plans

The Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) welcomes the Ministry of Health (“MOH”)’s decision to formally appoint a committee to look into issues related to Integrated Shield Plans (“IP”) and propose recommendations. CASE hopes that the Life Insurance Association, Singapore (“LIA”) and the Singapore Medical Association (“SMA”) can find a sustainable solution which protects consumers’ interests and keeps health insurance premiums affordable in the long run.

   

Company Alert - Triple Lifestyle

From 1 January 2020 to 31 January 2021, CASE received 86 consumer complaints against Triple Lifestyle Marketing. In general, consumers complained about misleading claims made by Triple Lifestyle Marketing, that the company was either unresponsive to their service requests or did not show up for scheduled appointments, and/or that they did not provide satisfactory recourse for faulty products.

   

Company Alert - MDS Collections

From 1 June 2019 to 31 December 2020, CASE has received 37 complaints against clothing and fashion accessories retailer MDS Collections . The majority of complaints relate to consumers failing to receive their orders. As MDS Collections did not resolve most of the complaints received by CASE, CASE had issued a warning letter to MDS Collections. Other consumers who are unable to resolve their disputes with MDS Collections may approach CASE for advice.