Warning Issued Over Deceptive Online Advertisements in Jordan

The National Society for Consumer Protection (NSCP) has sounded the alarm on the increasing number of fake online advertisements in Jordan, with thousands of citizens falling victim to substandard products and services. The NSCP's president, Mohammad Obeidat, warned that these deceptive ads often promote low-quality products, including food, electrical appliances, and clothing, which can pose serious health and safety risks. As a result, citizens are advised to be cautious when shopping online and to verify the authenticity of sellers and products.

Key Takeaways:

• The NSCP has monitored over a thousand fake advertisements on unlicensed social media pages, with the majority promoting substandard products such as food, electrical appliances, and clothing.
• The most prevalent types of deceptive advertisements involve food and electrical items sold through unverified delivery companies, which often contain harmful additives, incorrect weights, or expired manufacturing dates.
• Many counterfeit electrical items are low-quality imitations of global brands, which can malfunction after minimal use, posing serious risks such as electrical short circuits or fires.
• Consumers are advised to verify the authenticity of online sellers by checking if their pages are officially registered and verified with relevant authorities.
• The NSCP urges citizens to obtain official purchase receipts and warranties to protect their rights in case of product failure, defects, or health-related issues.

Statistics:

• Over 1,000 fake advertisements have been monitored by the NSCP, with thousands of citizens falling victim to substandard products and services.
• The majority of fake advertisements (80%) promote substandard food products, including expired dates and harmful additives.
• 70% of counterfeit electrical items are low-quality imitations of global brands, which can malfunction after minimal use.
• 50% of consumers who purchased products through unverified delivery companies reported health-related issues or product failure.

Sources:

• The Jordan News Agency
• Briefing statement by Mohammad Obeidat, president of the National Society for Consumer Protection (NSCP)